Boshof

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title: "Boshof" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-the-tokologo-local-municipality", "populated-places-established-in-1856", "1856-establishments-in-the-orange-free-state"] topic_path: "general/populated-places-in-the-tokologo-local-municipality" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boshof" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameBoshof
image_skylineNG kerk Boshof.jpg
image_altHistorical black-and-white photograph of the Dutch Reformed Church in Boshof, showing a large building with twin towers and surrounding trees
image_captionThe Dutch Reformed Church in Boshof, c. 1917
pushpin_mapSouth Africa Free State#South Africa
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameSouth Africa
subdivision_type1Province
subdivision_name1Free State
subdivision_type2District
subdivision_name2Lejweleputswa
subdivision_type3Municipality
subdivision_name3Tokologo
subdivision_type4Main Place
established_titleEstablished
established_date1856
leader_titleCouncillor
area_footnotes
area_total_km291.7
population_footnotes
population_total8509
population_as_of2011
population_density_km2auto
demographics_type1Racial makeup (2011)
demographics1_footnotes
demographics1_title1Black African
demographics1_info178.5%
demographics1_title2Coloured
demographics1_info210.5%
demographics1_title3Indian/Asian
demographics1_info30.4%
demographics1_title4White
demographics1_info410.1%
demographics1_title5Other
demographics1_info50.5%
demographics_type2First languages (2011)
demographics2_footnotes
demographics2_title1Tswana
demographics2_info157.9%
demographics2_title2Afrikaans
demographics2_info228.7%
demographics2_title3Sotho
demographics2_info34.4%
demographics2_title4Xhosa
demographics2_info43.8%
demographics2_title5Other
demographics2_info55.1%
timezone1SAST
utc_offset1+2
postal_code_typePostal code (street)
postal_code8340
postal2_code_typePO box
postal2_code8340
area_code_typeArea code
area_code053
::

| name = Boshof | image_skyline = NG kerk Boshof.jpg | image_alt = Historical black-and-white photograph of the Dutch Reformed Church in Boshof, showing a large building with twin towers and surrounding trees | image_caption = The Dutch Reformed Church in Boshof, c. 1917

| pushpin_map = South Africa Free State#South Africa | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = South Africa | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Free State | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Lejweleputswa | subdivision_type3 = Municipality | subdivision_name3 = Tokologo | subdivision_type4 = Main Place | established_title = Established | established_date = 1856 | leader_title = Councillor | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 91.7 | population_footnotes = | population_total = 8509 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_density_km2 = auto | demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011) | demographics1_footnotes = | demographics1_title1 = Black African | demographics1_info1 = 78.5% | demographics1_title2 = Coloured | demographics1_info2 = 10.5% | demographics1_title3 = Indian/Asian | demographics1_info3 = 0.4% | demographics1_title4 = White | demographics1_info4 = 10.1% | demographics1_title5 = Other | demographics1_info5 = 0.5% | demographics_type2 = First languages (2011) | demographics2_footnotes = | demographics2_title1 = Tswana | demographics2_info1 = 57.9% | demographics2_title2 = Afrikaans | demographics2_info2 = 28.7% | demographics2_title3 = Sotho | demographics2_info3 = 4.4% | demographics2_title4 = Xhosa | demographics2_info4 = 3.8% | demographics2_title5 = Other | demographics2_info5 = 5.1% | timezone1 = SAST | utc_offset1 = +2 | postal_code_type = Postal code (street) | postal_code = 8340 | postal2_code_type = PO box | postal2_code = 8340 | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 053 Boshof is a small rural farming town located in the western part of the Free State province, South Africa.

The town is approximately 55 km north-east of Kimberley along the R64 road. It serves as the administrative centre of the Tokologo Local Municipality within the Lejweleputswa District and is known for mixed farming activities, including livestock and crop production.

History

Early Settlement

The area that would become Boshof was originally part of territories inhabited by Griqua and other indigenous groups. Historical records from the mid-19th century indicate that Dutch farmers began crossing the Orange River into the region around 1816–1820, initially for seasonal grazing during droughts in the Cape Colony. By the 1830s, larger groups of immigrants, including Voortrekkers from the Great Trek who settled permanently. One such group purchased land from a Griqua chief named Dautzeo, establishing farms in what is now the Boshof district. This purchase formed the basis for early European presence in the area, as documented in contemporary sketches of the Orange Free State.

Etymology

Boshof was established in March 1856 on the farm Vanwyksvlei, and named after Jacobus Nicolaas Boshof (1808-1881), second President of the Orange Free State (1855–59) and founder of its civil service.

Early Development

During its early years, Boshof functioned as a district centre in the Orange Free State, with a focus on agriculture and grazing. The Modder River skirted the district, providing water resources essential for farming. By 1872, it had achieved municipal status, indicating growth in local governance and infrastructure. The town's development was supported by the Dutch Reformed Church, which played a key role in community organization, education, and religious life.

Second Anglo-Boer War

During the 2nd Anglo-Boer War the local commando was involved in the siege of Kimberley, notably to disrupt the city’s water supply at Riverton. The Battle of Boshof, which resulted in the death of the Comte de Villebois-Mareuil, was fought nearby on 5 April 1900.

20th Century and Modern Era

In the post-war period, Boshof remained a quiet agricultural hub, benefiting from its proximity to Kimberley's diamond mining industry, though it never became a major mining centre itself. The town experienced demographic shifts over the 20th century, influenced by rural-urban migration. By the 2011 cencus, Boshof had a diverse racial population of about 8,509.

References

|Centre = Boshof |North = Hertzogville |Northwest = Warrenton |Northeast = Bultfontein |East = Dealesville |Southeast = Bloemfontein |South = Koffiefontein |Southwest = Kimberley |West = Barkly West

References

  1. Robson, Linda Gillian. (2011). "The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806–1872: Approach, methodology and impact". University of Pretoria.
  2. Sum of the Main Places [http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/465004 Boshof] and [http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/465005 Seretse] from Census 2011.
  3. "History & attractions". Community portal for Boshof.
  4. (1875). "Sketch of the Orange Free State of South Africa". Orange Free State Commission.
  5. Raper, Peter E.. (1987). "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names". Internet Archive.
  6. "Boshof".
  7. "Boshof - Towns and Cities in the Free State". Steven Herbert Projects.
  8. "Boshof Home Page".

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populated-places-in-the-tokologo-local-municipalitypopulated-places-established-in-18561856-establishments-in-the-orange-free-state