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Province: Free State
Region: Lejweleputswa


Towns:
Allanridge   |  Boshoff  |   Bothaville  |   Brandfort   |  Bultfontein Dealesville  |   Hennenman  |   Hertzogville  |   Hoopstad   |   Odendaalsrus  |  Theunissen  |  Ventersburg  |  Virginia  |  Welkom  |   Wesselsbron  |  Winburg 


In April 1938, a borehole sunk in search for water on the farm St Helena struck lava, not subterranean water. Those who inhabited the farm remained thirsty, but the lava was that of a deep-flowing source of gold ore linked to the famous Witwatersrand. Foreigners and their mines came overnight, people from the rest of the Free State, prospectors from South Africa, fortune-seekers from the world. Industries sprang up like strange flowers on the silent earth, their workforce establishing one of South Africa's most advanced infrastructures- A million people find their home in Lejweleputswa, with Welkom being the principal city, and the descendants of the churchgoers, the uitlanders, the prospectors and indeed even the animals, flourish on a sun-drenched land. And to keep in balance with nature the region is blessed with a game reserve and two nature reserves 

The region's attractions, like its economy, centre around the mining of gold and agriculture. Visit the principle town of Welkom, a little over 50 years old, which is reflected in its modern Infrastructure and town planning. Here and in nearby Virginia and Theunissen you con take a mine tour of some of the deepest mines in the world. The evidence of the Voortrekkers can be seen all over the region with the most impressive being the Voortrekker Monument in Winburg. For flora and fauna viewing visit three nature reserves - Willem Pretorius Game Reserve, and the Sandveld and Soetdoering Nature Reserves.