Vrede

Province

Vrede is a city in the South African province of the Free State. It is located in the municipality in the district Phumelela Thabo Mofutsanyane. The city is the seat of the municipal administration and had 2011 - including the townships Thembalihle 17,689 inhabitants.

Geography

Vrede is situated in the northeast of the Free State Province, approximately 30 kilometers south-west of the border with the province of Mpumalanga. Vrede is situated in the Highveld and is surrounded by hills. East of city center lies the township Thembalihle.

History

The city was founded in 1863. There was not a long time agreed, where the city should arise. At the end of the dispute, the city was awarded the Afrikaans name Vrede ( German: peace ). In the city a large sandstone church of the Dutch Reformed Church was built.

Economy and Transport

Vrede is an agricultural center. From here, corn, wheat, sheep and beef, wool, dairy products and poultry are transported. Vrede is situated 20 kilometers east of the National Road N3. Roads leading from Vrede to N3 and after Standerton, Volksrust and Newcastle. Vrede is the terminus of a railway line from Standerton, which is only operated in freight traffic. The station is located west of the city.

Sons and daughters of the town

• André Brink ( born 1935 ), South African writer

Others

Every year the Rooivleisfees ( Rotfleischfestival ) is celebrated. The music Afrikaans film Platteland was filmed here and in the surrounding area.