Location

Bothaville is a maize farming town situated near the Vaal River in the Lejweleputswa DM of the Free State province, South Africa. It is situated 6km east of the Vaal, on the bank of its Vals River tributary.

History

The area of present-day Bothaville was originally inhabited by Bushmen, while between the 15th and 70th century the Leghoyo Tswana tribe also settled in the area. Whites settled down permanently since 1852. Bothaville’s humble beginning was as Botharnia in 1891, as a ‘church town’, with the name changing to the current name in 1893. It was laid out on the farm Gladdedrift, which was owned by Theunis Louis Botha. It became a municipality in 1914.

The Battle of Doornkraal took place some distance south of town on 6 November 1900. Doornkraal Monument is a granite memorial built in honour of Boers who died here in the surprise attack by British soldiers. Some of the Boer soldiers were buried in a communal grave.

Economy

Bothaville hosts the head office of Grain South Africa and produces annually an average of 550 000 tons of maize. Situated on the banks of the Vals River, the town is considered to be one of the richest agricultural communities in the country. The town forms one of the corners of the maize triangle and maize is produced in the district.

Other agricultural activities focus on dairy, wheat, sunflower, nuts and vegetables. The town has a factory that manufactures agriculture machinery and tractors. A municipal airstrip of 1,2km with tarmac surface and night landing facilities is situated next to the industrial town. Bothaville is strategically located close to the gold mining towns of Klerksdorp/Orkney.