Ficksburg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ficksburg
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Clockwise from top: View of Ficksburg from Imperani Mountain, Old Building, NG Church.
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 Ficksburg
Location in Free State (South African province)
Ficksburg
Location in South Africa
Ficksburg
Location in Africa
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| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Free State |
| District | Thabo Mofutsanyane |
| Municipality | Setsoto |
| Established | 1867 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 50.4 km2 (19.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,628 m (5,341 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 5,400 |
| • Density | 107.1/km2 (277.5/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 37.2% |
| • Coloured | 7.0% |
| • Indian/Asian | 12.0% |
| • White | 42.3% |
| • Other | 1.5% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Afrikaans | 50.9% |
| • English | 22.4% |
| • Sotho | 17.9% |
| • Other | 8.8% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) |
9730
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| PO box |
9730
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| Area code | 051 |
Ficksburg is a town in the Free State province of South Africa. It sits at the foot of the 1,750-meter-high Imperani Mountain. The town was started in 1867 by General Johan Fick. He established the town after the Basotho Wars, making plots of land available for people to buy.
Ficksburg is located on the north bank of the Mohokare River. This river forms a natural border with Lesotho and the town of Maputsoe. Ficksburg officially became a municipality in 1891. An important historical figure, Charles Robberts Swart, who later became the first State President of South Africa, was held here in 1914.
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Discover Ficksburg: The Cherry Capital
Ficksburg is a very important town in the Eastern Free State region. It is known for its farming, especially for crops like corn and asparagus. But the most famous crop grown here is the cherry.
Cherry Farming and the Annual Festival
Cherries are harvested in Ficksburg from October to December. The town is often called the "Cherry Capital of the World." Every November, Ficksburg hosts the famous Cherry Festival. This festival lasts for three days and attracts around 30,000 visitors!
The Cherry Festival offers lots of fun activities for families. You can watch sheep herding, enjoy horse rides, or even take a helicopter trip. There are also steam train rides at Sandstone Estate. You can take tours to see the unique sandstone buildings in Ficksburg. Tours also go to the cherry and asparagus farms to show how these crops are grown.
Gateway to Lesotho: The Mountain Kingdom
Ficksburg is known as "The Gateway to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho." Lesotho is a country completely surrounded by South Africa. From Ficksburg, you can travel to the Katse Dam in Lesotho. This dam is very important because it provides a lot of water to the Gauteng Province, a major industrial area in South Africa.
The Katse Dam is also a beautiful place, located high up in the Maluti Mountains. It's a popular spot for boating and fishing. Thousands of tourists visit the dam each year, often passing through Ficksburg to get there.
Other Farming and Local Products
The Ficksburg area is also famous for asparagus. Hundreds of tons of asparagus are harvested here starting in September. Other fruits like peaches, apricots, and apples are also grown. Livestock farming, especially dairy farms, is also a big part of the local economy.
Population and Local Government
Ficksburg is the main town of the Setsoto Local Municipality. This municipality also includes the towns of Clocolan, Marquard, and Senekal. The total population of this entire area is about 125,751 people.
Famous People from Ficksburg
Many well-known South Africans have connections to Ficksburg.
- Marie Warder, a famous author, was born here.
- Roelf Meyer, a politician, went to school in Ficksburg and finished in 1964.
- Andries Tatane (1978–2011) was also from Ficksburg.
- Guy Tunmer, a former Formula One race car driver, lived here.
Media and Radio in Ficksburg
Ficksburg has its own community newspaper, The Ficksburg News. It started in the early 1900s and has been published in its current form since 1979. The town also has a community radio station called Sesoto FM. It broadcasts 24 hours a day in Sesotho to Ficksburg and nearby towns like Fouriesburg, Clocolan, and Ladybrand.
Interestingly, Ficksburg has a special radio repeater for Radio France International (RFI). This is because many French missionaries live in nearby Lesotho. Radiomonde Français International broadcasts 24 hours a day in French and English on 96.5 FM Stereo, specifically for Ficksburg. The BBC World Service also broadcasts from London on 90.2 FM Stereo.
Ficksburg's Town Symbols: Coats of Arms
A coat of arms is a special design that represents a town or family. Ficksburg has had a few different designs over the years.
First Municipal Coat of Arms
By 1931, the Ficksburg town council used a design that showed the Roman goddess Ceres. She was holding a torch, and in the background were a maize cob and three ears of wheat. The motto was Virtus in arduis, which means "Courage in difficulties."
Second Municipal Coat of Arms
In 1967, the council registered a new, more official design. This new shield had a golden chevron (a V-shape) with two cherry sprigs on it. Above the chevron were two golden bundles of wheat on a red background. Below it was a green cross on a gold background.
The top part of the symbol, called the crest, showed an arm holding a torch coming out of a golden crown. The motto remained Virtus in arduis.
History of Cherry Farming in the Area
The story of cherry farming in Ficksburg began in 1905. Harry Pickston asked German missionaries in South Africa about growing cherries. That same year, the very first cherry trees in South Africa were planted on a farm called 'Platkop' near Clocolan.
Cherry Varieties and Production
The first types of cherries planted included Giant Heidelfinger, Elton, Early Red, Early River, and Bing. These same types are still grown in the area today. Some of the original trees from 1905 can even still be found on the farm!
Today, there are over 500 hectares (about 1,235 acres) of cherry trees in the Eastern Free State. Most of these are in the Ficksburg, Clocolan, and Fouriesburg areas. Each hectare has about 250 cherry trees, and they can produce about 10 tons of cherries! The first Ficksburg Cherry Festival was held in 1968, started by a local group called the Jaycees.
Fun Things to Do at the Cherry Festival
The Ficksburg Cherry Festival has activities for all ages.
- Entertainment for Kids: There are special shows and activities just for children.
- Food and Drink: You can enjoy wine and chocolate pairing, and explore many stalls selling different products.
- Competitions and Sports: The festival hosts various competitions, along with sports like golf and soccer.
- Workshops and Exhibitions: Learn new things at workshops and see interesting exhibits.
- Live Performances: Popular South African artists perform at the festival each year. Past performers include Jaunita du Plessis and The Soweto String Quartet.
- Farm Tours: Take special tours to nearby cherry and asparagus farms. You can see how these crops are harvested and even pick your own cherries!
- Unique Experiences: Don't miss the 'cherry mampoer' (a local fruit spirit) competition. You can also take a cruise on the "White Mischief" boat on the Meulspruit Dam.
- Heritage and Nature: Visit Sandstone Estates, just 14 kilometers away, for heritage steam train rides and old tractors. You can also see wildlife at the Thaba Imperani Nature Reserve, which borders the Meulspruit Dam.
