Zastron

Province

Zastron is a city in the South African province of the Free State. It is located in the municipality Mohokare whose administrative headquarters is in the district of Xhariep.

Geography

Zastron has 15 607 inhabitants ( 2011 census ). To the east is the former Township Matlakeng, part of the city. Most commonly Sesotho, Afrikaans and Xhosa are spoken. Zastron is east of the 2207-meter- high Aasvoëlberg, named after the resident Cape vultures. Also east of the city are over 2000 meters high mountains. Zastron is located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Lesotho.

History

The area was inhabited by the San people have left in the sandstone caves around numerous rock paintings. 1838 settled first of Jan de Bure Winnaar with his family at the site of the present city, but was repeatedly expelled after battles with the Basotho under Moshoeshoe I.. In 1869, the area belonged ultimately to the Orange Free State. De Winnaar founded the farm Verliesfontein (about: "Source of loss "). Zastron was founded in 1876 in the field of farm and after the birth name of the wife of the then President of the Orange Free State, Johannes Henricus Brand, named. In 1881 the town was community status because the neighboring town Rouxville rejected this long.

Economy and Transport

Main source of income is agriculture.

Zastron is situated on the R26, which runs from Rouxville in the west parallel to the border of Lesotho to the north, and on the R726, which leads to Sterkspruit. Another road leads to Mohale 's Hoek in Lesotho. Zastron is located on the disused railway line ( Burgersdorp - ) Dreunberg - Aliwal North - Zastron - Sannaspos ( - Bloemfontein ).