Frankfort, Free State, South Africa
Frankfort is a small farm town on the banks of the Wilge River in the Free State province of South Africa.
The town was built in 1869 on the farm Roodepoort, and by Albert van Gordon called Frankfurt (after Frankfurt-am-Main in Germany). The town later received municipality status in 1896.
Frankfort is now the capital city of Villiers, Cornelia and Gemini, called the Mafube Municipality. The main street is "Brand Street", named after the 4th president of the Orange Free State, Johannes Brand.
The name has since changed to J. J. Hadebe. During 1883 Johannes Brand visited the town and laid the cornerstone of the Dutch Reformed Church (NG Church).
This church was burned down by British troops during the Second Boer War (1899 - 1902). After the war, the church was rebuilt and inaugurated in 1918. The Second Boer War was disastrous for the town; according to one contemporary source, there was "not a house or tree" left after the destruction.
Frankfort has produced notable soccer players like Paul Motaung (former Kaizer Chiefs defender) and Chris Motaung (former Swallows midfielder),Thabo Motsoeneng (former Bloemfontein Celtics) other professional football players include Thomas Mofokeng, Ernest Nkosi and Dlangamandla.
Frederich Lombaard a former Cheetah and Springbok rugby player, and academics like Professor M.J Lenake and Dr Mahlathini Tshabalala, who is now based in Gauteng and the renowned Motloung brothers Paul and Michael who are based in Botshabelo and Bloemfontein respectively.
Mamontha Modise and Sophie Mokoena former Lesedi FM anchors. The first black comrade marathon winner, Mr. Tshabalala, also comes from Frankfort.
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