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There's a crane on the second shot, do you perhaps know as to what's the development there?

Its amazing that this clean and very nice city doesn't have plenty of shot on the Internet.

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I wonder if this is under construction already.

Convention Centre for Bloemfontein

Construction of the new Bloemfontein Construction Centre (BCC) begins in March this year, which will be built on the grounds of the Free State University. According to Mar'c Scholtz, the organisation will have international standards and will develop according to international tendencies. The aim of the BCC is national conference students in the academic, scientific and association sectors. This will be the only conference centre in South Africa that is located on a campus.

The BCC will be of the same standard as any other conference centre, but much more affordable. It also makes it possible for the central region to accommodate for big conferences. According to Scholtz, it's not only Bloemfontein that takes advantage out of this, but towns in the area will also be visited to make people aware of what's really going on

Beautiful city of Rose Fountains

I like Bram Fischer and Lebohang Building.

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My wife & I stopped in Bloem for one night in August (on the way from the Cape to Durban), and I have to say that I love Loch Logan. We didn't see the tourist sights (such as they are) because of a lack of time, but we did get a chance to have dinner on the 'waterfront.' I hadn't been in Bloem since 1996, and I must say that Loch Logan really has changed the city for the better. Eating dinner and dessert there really was a pleasant experience.

While I doubt Bloem has what it takes to be a world class tourist destination (let's face it, not many foreign visitors are eager to see the Eerste Raadsaal or Women's Memorial!), I think it has tremendous potential as an overnight stop for those tourists who drive between The Cape and PWV.

I should agree with you Umhlanga as me and my friend also stopped there on our back to Joburg from East London and we enjoyed the experience there. I liked the cleanliness of the city and the people's friendliness.

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Monument dedicated to women and children who died in concentration camps
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The Bitterender
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1. City Lodge - *** - 152 rooms - built 1989
2. Southern Sun Bloemfontein - **** - 148 rooms - built 1988
3. President Hotel - *** - 145 rooms - built 1969
4. Landmark Lodge Bloemfontein - *** - 112 rooms - built 1972
5. Protea Hotel Bloemfontein - **** - 96 rooms - built 2002

Note: Protea Hotel Willow Lake - **** - 94 rooms - opening 2008

Stayed in the Southern Sun just after it opened. (As the Landdrost) Was very nice then. Haven't stayed there since 1996 though. It was still in good shape (despite losing its 4th star and becoming a Garden Court sometime in the early- or mid-90s.) Anyone know how it has done since? I see on Mosi's list that it has regained the 4th star and is no longer a Garden Court.

The Protea Premier is fantastic. (Their breakfast buffet puts Southern Sun's to shame.)

Stayed in the Southern Sun just after it opened. (As the Landdrost) Was very nice then. Haven't stayed there since 1996 though. It was still in good shape (despite losing its 4th star and becoming a Garden Court sometime in the early- or mid-90s.) Anyone know how it has done since? I see on Mosi's list that it has regained the 4th star and is no longer a Garden Court.

The Protea Premier is fantastic. (Their breakfast buffet puts Southern Sun's to shame.)

Yes the Southern Sun has been upgraded to a full service hotel in 2005 (it used to be the Holiday Inn Garden Court) as part of Southern Sun's rebranding strategy. It is graded four stars by Tourism Grading Council.

Mosi, Southern Sun built a new Casino which was opened december, I think, last year. Is it just a Casino or has it got other amenities and a hotel?

Protea Business Hotel For Bloem - 2007/05/31



Protea Hotels has announced a new R60m business hotel in Bloemfontein, set to open in April 2008. Construction on the Protea Hotel Willow Lake is scheduled for late May, and will see a new 94-bedroomed hotel design.

"An unbeatable business model has been designed for business hotels and has proved a success with Protea Hotel Nelspruit and Protea Hotel Mafikeng, and it is this model that will be used for Protea Hotel Willow Lake," said Mr. Bill Ford, Regional Director for Protea Hotels.

Situated in the grounds of the Bloemfontein Zoo, the hotel will have a game lodge theme in line with the property's eco-diverse surroundings. A welcome boost to the local economy, the establishment will provide both permanent jobs and temporary jobs during its development and refurbishment phase. Mr. Phanus Zondagh, director of Zoo Lodge (Pty) Ltd, believes that the future of tourism lies in the ability to create eco-diverse and sustainable investments in the tourism industry.

This hotel aligns itself with the accommodation requirements of the 2010 world cup. Protea Hotel Willow Lake will be located within minutes of the Bloemfontein world cup stadium. The Lodge will be a major contributor to the preservation and protection of the animal species in the Zoo.

The Free State Tourism Authority welcomes this initiative and believes that it will set precedence in the tourism investment model. The authority challenges the industry to be conscious of the environment and how tourism should contribute towards the balancing of the endangered eco-system

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The Loch Logan Waterfront and surrounding areas form the main entertainment and leisure hub of Bloemfontein. It encompasses the rugby, cricket and athletics stadiums, each of which qualify as venues for international events and meet with Olympic criteria.

All roads leading to Bloemfontein cross over at the Waterfront. The Loch Logan also hosts the Volksblad Kuns Mark, the largest open air Art market in South Africa. It is held on the first Saturday of each month and attracts thousands of people.

With the Loch’s tranquil surroundings, the Waterfront forms an amphitheatre for shoppers creating a unique shopping experience, incorporating its natural beauty and commercial flair.

With the Waterfront’s initial success further expansion was earmarked for this site. Phase I of the Loch Logan Waterfront: the Supersport Health and Adventure Club was developed in conjunction with M-Net Supersport.

Phase II of the development created the new home of Kloppers, currently the largest privately-owned department store nationwide with additional retail space allocated for Quiksilver, the Mr. Price Group and Primi Piatti.

The Georgiou Group is currently working on Phase III which will, with a critical mass of 60000 square meters, offer a 70% national tenancy and an array of other tenants to satisfy all levels of shopping and shoppers.

www.lochlogan.co.za

awesome mix and proximity between comercial of the city and sporting precint and a mixed use enviroment.I bit like centuriuon

good location..good for bloem and 2010

Had dinner and dessert there last year on a cold night, and liked it. No one will ever mistake Loch Logan for Mandela Square, but it's safe, clean, and has all the usual dining suspects. Very easy to access. A great use of an existing lake. I'm glad they're expanding.

The Portfolio Committee on Transport (National Assembly), having undertaken an oversight visits to the national department of Transport and nine host cities.

Main highlights:

Mangaung

*Considerable planning has clearly been done in regard to 2010 itself, and in particular access to the stadium.
*The city has an advantage in that the existing stadium, located close to the CBD, only requires relatively minor upgrading.
*Plans exist to convert some streets into-pedestrian walkways, and an important focus on non-motorized transport, including cycle-ways.
New access road is being constructed, and a large new rank and parkade for taxi's and busses will be built
* No clarity exists with regards to the upgrading of the ACSA owned airport and no effective working relationship with ACSA currently exists.
* The city expects the majority of spectators to arrive by train but the main station needs considerable upgrading and it is not known whether Transnet will upgrade the station. The province is considering revitalizing the Botshabelo rail-line.

I agree with you Umhlanga, Bloemfontein is safe and MH and other magazines have voted t as the best place to live in and security and transport made it ti be the best. There's public transport 24/7.

The Portfolio Committee on Transport (National Assembly), having undertaken an oversight visits to the national department of Transport and nine host cities.

Main highlights:

Mangaung

*Considerable planning has clearly been done in regard to 2010 itself, and in particular access to the stadium.
*The city has an advantage in that the existing stadium, located close to the CBD, only requires relatively minor upgrading.
*Plans exist to convert some streets into-pedestrian walkways, and an important focus on non-motorized transport, including cycle-ways.
New access road is being constructed, and a large new rank and parkade for taxi's and busses will be built
* No clarity exists with regards to the upgrading of the ACSA owned airport and no effective working relationship with ACSA currently exists.
* The city expects the majority of spectators to arrive by train but the main station needs considerable upgrading and it is not known whether Transnet will upgrade the station. The province is considering revitalizing the Botshabelo rail-line.

2 streets will be pedestrianized and the good thing is that the people of Bloemfontein are keeping the city clean.

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that church in front of the blue building is where I went every sunday whilst in the army at Bloem, great deli shop on the corner with the best pies

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Transport projects

Having an appropriate and efficient transport system for the Mangaung area is one of the city’s key priorities but it has also proved to be one of the more complex projects to implement. The city has completed a number of studies and investigations in support of an integrated transport plan. The outcome of these studies revealed the following challenges in respect of public transport network.

o Insufficient capacity of the minibus-taxi rank, resulting in informal ranking areas, overcrowding, unhygienic and unsafe conditions
o Lack of pedestrian facilities and linkages in Bloemfontein CBD
o Lack of integration between different public transport modes
o Traffic Capacity constraints on the primary road network serving the 2010 Sports Precinct (Parfitt Avenue; Nelson Mandela Drive)
o Insufficient public transport services linking the south-eastern areas with the Bloemfontein CBD
o No public transport service between the Bloemfontein Airport and 2010 destinations
o Insufficient facilities to cater for 2010 demand at Bloemfontein Airport
o Unsafe access from N8 to Bloemfontein Airport
o Insufficient traffic guidance sign system
o Backlogs in the upgrading and maintenance of the MLM arterial road network

As a result, Mangaung Local Municipality has compiled business plans for transport related projects, amounting to more than R400 million. The following projects were identified and some of them have already been approved for implementation. The tender process for the appointment of a design consultant has already started for the 1st four projects.

Completed projects
o Pedestrianisation of Elizabeth Street
o Mangaung activity corridor (extension of bridge along Dr Belcher road)
Projects at tender stage
o Extension of Mangaung activity corridor – to be completed by end of 2008
o Development of an Inter-modal Public Transport Facility – to be completed by March 2009
o Pedestrianisation of Selborne Avenue – to be completed by June 2008
o Bloemspruit Pedestrian Route – to be completed by June 2008
o Establishment of a high capacity public transport service between the south-eastern areas and Bloemfontein CBD - awaiting feasibility study to be completed during 2007
o Improvement of Bloemfontein Airport vehicular access to N8 - awaiting feasibility study to be completed during 2007

During the month of February 2007, National Treasury approved an allocation of R245 million for transport related projects over the next two financial years. Most of the allocated amount (approx. R220 million) will go towards the Inter-modal Public Transport Facility project. It is envisaged that after the implementation of the above projects, the City and the Free State will have an effective public transport infrastructure network that will benefit air, rail and road travel beyond 2010. As part of the transport legacy, emphasis is also placed on encouraging non-motorised transport mode, in line with government objectives.

Good planning and the good thing is that they are on the move. I might be going to Bloem on sunday, I guess this means photos, photos and more photos.

Good planning and the good thing is that they are on the move. I might be going to Bloem on sunday, I guess this means photos, photos and more photos.

you better take photos!!

Drove to Bloem yesterday with my friend and our wives to watch Bloemfontein Cweltic against Moroka Swallows. The was gonna start at 15:00 and we only arrived there at 14:00 as we got delayed, but hey I managed to get a couple of pics and will post soon and before I start with anything I would like to say that I love Bloemfontein.

I will put my opinion and what I have seen in number system -

1) As you approach the first offramp, we saw very beutfull house resembilng Bassonia in Joburg and more are still being built and these development stretched to the second offramp.

2) After the second off ramp there's huge earth works going on and there's also apartments, I'm not sure about number of stories they will be going for.

3) Well as you know even at this time Bloem is dry and it was a windy day and a couple of papers flying around. The streets are wide and the greening of the area is visible.

4) Most of the buildings are 2 and 3 stories.

5) The main thing that attracted me to the city is its cleanliness and the help that you get from people when looking for directions or other help, but the security guys are very strict, its not easy to take pictures.

6) I must say that we didn't spend more than 30 minutes in thec city as the game was being played in the nearby township.

7) In the city centre I saw a new office park that is currently being developed.

8) A new, I think its old mutual stylish building, its about 3 floors.

9) The Stylish Waterfront is towards completion. I love it, I love it.

10) The roads are being widened.

11) Well, I guess pictures that I will post later on will tell you about the city, even thoughits just a small part of it.

12) This was my real first time going straight to Bloem, next time I will take more appropriate pics and I promise I will create time.

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I just wish that we could get a forumer of 2 from Bloem, it will be worth while.

The Waterfront

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bloem always has such beautiful blue skies

that poor fountain in Pules last picture looks piss poor!

Hope for Free State's public transport?

October 01 2007 at 03:49PM

The availability of public transport or transport in general in some rural Free State areas remains a dream for those communities, MEC for roads and transport Seiso Mohai said on Monday.

"The need for accessible and affordable transport services in the depressed rural areas cannot be overestimated for a rural province like ours," Mohai said during the provincial launch of Transport Month in Bloemfontein.

"In many of our depressed rural areas and towns, reliable, accessibility, affordability and safety of public transport is a yearning cry of our communities."

Mohai said for this reason his department would focus on "rural mobility" during this month.





Two areas with a high concentration of people and no taxis or public transport, such as Bethulie in the southern Free State and Viljoenskroon in the northern Free State, would get a chance to meet with the department to discuss their transport plight.

"They will have a chance to tell us what it is we must provide," said Mohai.

Many of the commuters form these areas have to take a detour to other neighbouring towns before they can travel to Bloemfontein.

The department said a feasibility study on the railway line between Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba'Nchu would be complete by the end of October.

Thousands of workers are transported through the 60 kilometre route by public bus service or taxis between these centres every day.

Transport month activities include visits to bridge construction sites, the launch of a transport empowerment scheme, opening of access roads and a bicycle day in Koppies.

N-Cape, Free State Unite for 2010 Success

BuaNews (Tshwane)

NEWS
5 October 2007
Posted to the web 5 October 2007

By Themba Gadebe
Galeshewe

The Northern Cape in partnership with the Free State government on Friday announced their plans to assist South Africa deliver a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Acting Premier of the Northern Cape, Pieter Willem Saaiman said the provinces had committed themselves to assist the country to deliver the best world cup, despite the Northern Cape not being the host of any games.

Friday saw the opening of a two-day workshop of the FIFA Local Organising Committee (LOC) of medical practitioners.

FIFA and the LOC medical practitioners are meeting here to deliberate on the health, medical and doping control requirements for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Mr Saaiman said through consultations with the Free State government and the Mangaung Municipality, Kimberly was identified as one of the cities that will host and accommodate one of the countries that would otherwise be hosted by Mangaung.

"This deal came at a time when the Northern Cape was eagerly trying to position itself in maximising all possible benefits that the province could derive from the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"Amongst other things, our province is expected to rally all its resources to ensure that the standards set elsewhere in the country are met and all critical and ancillary services are readily available to our visitors," he said.

The provincial government, the acting premier said had streamlined a number of working committees aimed at leaving no detail unattended to.

This includes the Political Committee, who gives guidance to all technical and support committees to ensure that the province does not lose the hype that has already been created, he said

"At the centre of our endeavours, in preparations to the world cup, is the legacy that this event will leave for the province.

"It is our belief that since the announcement that South Africa will host the FIFA World Cup in 2010, this province has seen an increase in the level of awareness and participation in most sporting codes," he explained.

The participation in sporting codes, the acting premier indicated, involved attracting the professional premier league matches into Kimberly.

"Due to the absence of a professional soccer league team in the province, we have been forced and succeeded to lure important official soccer matches to Kimberly and will continue to do so.

"Our plan is to bring back the golden days of the 1970s when the Kimberly-based Dalton Brothers Football Club competed in the then professional league," he said.

It is against this background, the acting premier said that the province had embarked on an ambitious sports development programme that is set to move the level of competition in the province to higher standards.

This programme includes training coaches, referees, club managers in administrating teams and coaching clinics for players.

Already, the acting premier noted that, the provinces' clubs have been granted an opportunity to compete with established soccer team such as the development side of the Premier League's Ajax in Cape Town.

The acting premier said sport development and social legacy was not the only opportunities brought by the world cup, saying the tournament would also present the economic spins offs.

For one, he mentioned that the agreement with the Free State Organising team included the providing at least 20 000 beds to accommodate the hospitality needs of Mangaung.

"This in itself implies a clear opportunity for our local businesses to draw direct benefit from this state of affairs.

"The Departments of Economic Affairs and that of Tourism have developed a schedule of activities and a document to ensure that the province meets required standard," he said.

Copyright © 2007 BuaNews. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
Click to learn more...

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that second picture is the most classic example of brutalist NP architecture even in Sa (along with Durban station and JHB hospital)

Courtesy of Mangaung.co.za


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Windmill Casino

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Appeal Court
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Oliewenhuis Art Gallery
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Bram Fischer Civic Centre

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Bloem buyers pay for secure living
2008/01/10

Steady sales in Bloemfontein's exclusive Woodland Hills Lifestyle Estate, where home packages cost an average of R2 million, shows that there is no shortage of buyers who want and have the means to pay for secure, upmarket living.

That's according to Izak Heigers, manager of Realty 1 International Property Group in Bloemfontein, which is involved in the marketing of the Free State's first-ever high-security wildlife development.

Commenting on the successful launch of phase 4, Heigers says the first three phases, comprising in total about 450 stands, are sold out and sales for the fourth section are almost at the halfway mark.

The stands, which vary from 816 m2 to 2000 m2 in size, are being bought predominantly by local residents: a mix of retirees and young families who want the security of electric perimeter fencing, a closed circuit television system and mounted guards, he says.

Its appeal extends beyond its secure residential component, however, which comprises single residences, group housing plots, a lifestyle village for the over 50s and a health care centre. According to Heigers, buying decisions are being made by people who like the idea of an in-house community centre, restaurant and coffee shop, leisure hall with plasma television screen, hair salon, kiosk and gym. The athletically inclined will be catered for by a modern club house, tennis courts, bowling green and heated swimming pool. There is also a commercial and retail aspect to the estate, where an office park, convenience centre and supermarket will be built in the future.

Expected to take up to eight years to complete, the estate will ultimately consist of eight phases and more than 1 000 units, he says.

Other active segments of Bloemfontein's market, which has felt the effects of a series of interest rate increases and new credit legislation in recent months, are student accommodation and middle market buying.

"Owing to the shortage of suitable student accommodation in the "Garden City", parents are buying flats for their children," says Heigers. "Their approach is two-fold. Firstly, they want somewhere decent for their children to live while studying. Secondly, they see their purchases as investments with the potential to yield good long-term capital growth." Most popular properties for these buyers are currently flats in Universitas and Brandwag.

Middle market activity is being boosted by the success of the Loch Logan Waterfront development, which Heigers says has stimulated business growth and in so doing, created a knock-on effect for the residential sector. Home buyers include a number of entrepreneurs, some new to the area, whose successful operation in the development is making it possible for them to afford homes from R650 000 to R750 000.

The tendency for this category of buyer is to purchase in suburbs such as Hospitaalpark and Wilgehof, where primary and high schools are within easy access. Typically these houses consist of three bedrooms and two bathrooms, he says.

Entry level homes in the form of flats or small houses in Willows, Brandwag and Langenhovenpark are also moving well but demand for luxury homes outside the Woodlands Estate is depressed at the moment.

Expecting this to be a temporary state of affairs which will right itself when market conditions stabilize in the new year, Heigers points out, however, that there is a common thread in all price ranges, of which sellers should be well aware. "Buyers want square metre value for their money as never before and will accordingly only pay the market value for a property."

i am staying in bloem for a year. will try to get some pics of "latest" projects in the city. Been here for 2 weeks now, from what i can see the most major projects at present are the 2010 stadium upgrade and waterfront parking extention.

however, drove down the street where all the court houses are and noticed an excavted plot. will try do get more info on this.

i am staying in bloem for a year. will try to get some pics of "latest" projects in the city. Been here for 2 weeks now, from what i can see the most major projects at present are the 2010 stadium upgrade and waterfront parking extention.

however, drove down the street where all the court houses are and noticed an excavted plot. will try do get more info on this.

awesome! updates and images will be great.

i am staying in bloem for a year. will try to get some pics of "latest" projects in the city. Been here for 2 weeks now, from what i can see the most major projects at present are the 2010 stadium upgrade and waterfront parking extention.

however, drove down the street where all the court houses are and noticed an excavted plot. will try do get more info on this.

Could you also PLEASE get us pics of street life inclusive of resturants, pubs, street art, people etc.

will do my best. can someone pls post a link to a picture host website?

Three phases of functional aesthetics and sustainable design
14 Jan 2008 - Bentel Associates International -

Good design improves the way people live and a visit to Loch Logan makes even the most everyday purchase an uncommon and pleasurable experience. The development is rapidly becoming an integral part of the lifestyle of the residents of Bloemfontein.

Bloemfontein has grown considerably in recent years and has become a thriving metropolis with a good quality of life. It is a judicial capital and the cultural, tertiary educational and shopping hub of the Free State province.

This 78000 m2 Loch Logan project is now the largest shopping centre in the Free State and northern Cape area. The development, situated at the corner of Kingsway & Hendry Streets, is adjacent to the city's three rugby and cricket stadiums and diagonally opposite the State Theatre.

"The Loch Logan developers, the Georgiou Group, have effectively capitalised on the picturesque and conveniently situated site," says BAI Architects. "They accurately identified a need for a regional shopping centre with state-of-the-art finishes and a comprehensive range of facilities. The picturesque Loch Logan site is perfectly positioned in the heart of Bloemfontein. The proximity of sporting and cultural facilities was also an important factor in the decision to further develop the site. This retail development has helped to make Bloemfontein a desirable tourist, investment and residential destination. Property prices are maintaining an impressive upward growth," the Architects.

Constructed by Murray and Roberts and managed by SIP project managers in six construction zones and three phases, each zone was a separate building operation with its own equipment and construction teams. "The sheer size and scope of Loch Logan required the full commitment, co-operation and co-ordination of all of the six zone construction teams to keep on track and on schedule."

"Loch Logan has been a very exciting project. The developers wanted an externalised waterfront development combined with a multi-level internalised mall and a multi-storey parkade. Our challenge was to develop their brief into sound workable solutions to maximise the available space and make full use of the position and attractiveness of the site while maintaining their original design intent. Phase 3 is now complete and Loch Logan is a full regional shopping centre.

"We have designed the structural elements of the three phases to facilitate good articulation and to create movement and a feeling of connectivity between malls and the external elements. With Phase 3 completed, the complex now has 65300 m2 retail space, with a 70% national tenancy and an array of retail, restaurant and entertainment facilities to satisfy an exceptionally diverse range of consumer tastes and expectations."

The final R350-million phase has added 60 000m2 to the complex and the phase included the upgrade and development of an excellent parking system incorporating a multi-storey parkade built to access all the levels of the complex and capable of holding approximately 2500 vehicles. The new parking is located between the sports stadiums and Loch Logan.

Focal to the development is a triple volume atrium at the main entrance which contains water features and glass enclosed elevators affording views in all directions.

"The high grade finishes throughout Loch Logan have added to the internal aesthetics and complement the external aesthetics."

Each mall has representation from major national chains. The lowest level is anchored by Pick 'n Pay Supermarket, with Edgars, Woolworths, Stuttafords, Truworths, Foschini, Mr. Price and others located on the two levels above. The third floor banking level overlooks Loch Logan.

The existing waterfront promenade accesses the glazed plaza and the Pick 'n Pay from the ground floor through steps and ramps in a cafe pavement style area, with extensive seating under tree canopies.

"The cinema component and restaurants that overlook Loch Logan's dam wall feature were also rejuvenated during Phase 3 by integrating a dynamic curved balcony structure supported by massive steel masts. Two more glazed courts flank this entertainment centre with views of the water."

An integrated environmental management plan is creating sustainable biodiversity in the area. The architects have carefully considered the physical design and the arrangement of the built and natural elements on this spectacular site. The efficient, aesthetic and ecologically sensitive integration of the built environment with the site's natural features have produced a sensitive design and site plan which enhances and improves the natural environment and the enjoyment of that environment from both the internal and external areas of the centre.

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The following article gives more indepth of what happening, what happened and what's still gonna happen in relation to 2010 in Mangaung.

http://www.bloemfontein.co.za/docs/2010%20Business%20Plan%20for%20Mangaung%20(as%20at%2030%20Sept%2006).pdf

Mo has your source being update?

will do my best. can someone pls post a link to a picture host website?

http://www.photobucket.com

ahoy. shot

Late last year I emailed the municipality of Mangaung in regards to the progress of beutification of the the city towards 2010 and one last replied and told me that finance is the main factor as they actually planned to beutify the city. She said that there are some considerations that the city is looking at but she wouldn't name them. I'm just crossing my fingers that they will come up with something that will attract both international and domestic tourists to the city in 2010 and beyond.

R120 Million for Mangaung Accommodation Ahead of 2010

More than R120 million has been set aside to boost accommodation in Mangaung (Bloemfontein host city Municipality) as South Africa prepares for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

This was announced by Free State MEC for Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs Neo Masithela Friday at the legislature.

"The funds will be allocated largely for renovation and upgrading of our resorts in an effort to ensure they are more competitive and hospitable," said Mr Masithela.

The other intention, he said, was to make Mangaung accommodation more attractive than other facilities elsewhere in the country.

Mangaung will host some of the games to be played during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup South Africa.

He said as part of the programme, the first phase of the renovation at Philip Sanders Resort would be completed soon.

Six of the chalets are being specially designed for people with disabilities.

The second phase is expected to be completed in September 2008.

"Our target is to ensure that not less than 20 facilities have been graded during the next financial year.

"In conjunction with municipalities, we are developing incentive schemes to encourage the grading of these facilities particularly in the townships," Mr Masithela said.

He further added that the infrastructure plan for the upgrading of the resorts will take into consideration selected elements of the commercialisation strategy as well as other alternative elements.

"This will ensure that a required number of identified resorts are completed by 2009 to accommodate the expected increase in tourists during the year and years to follow," he added.

In addition to this, the MEC said about 20 mentorship partnerships will be established to facilitate skills transfer.

"This coming year we will hold 50 workshops and seminars and train 245 individuals in different disciplines of tourism such as tour guides, quality assessors and hospitability management," said Mr Masithela.

The province, in line with the country's international commitments will be participating in global warming control initiatives through planting more than 30 000 indigenous plants all over the province focusing in the previously disadvantaged areas.

Source: BuaNews

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Nice photos, thanks Will.

Bloemfontein from Signal Hill
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Central Bloem with the old and the new
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Bloem from the N1 Western Bypass
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Loch Logan with the shopping mall and Vodacom Park Stadium
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taken from the braam fisher building aka glass palace :lol:
anyhoo, had a meeting there concerning the expected completion date of the stadium. no i am not directly involved but we have a box at the stadium (which is out of action due to the construction)....
expected completion date was aug 08:ohno: which has been revised to sept 08 but will only be complteted in nov 08...

The most pessionate soccer/football supporters in South Africa. How will it be in 2009 Conf Cup and 2010 Soccer World Cup? Only time will tell.


Bloemfontein Celtics - Siwelele


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Update from 2010 Committe of Bloemfontein (answers in italics)-

Could you please update me on this projects as per your IDP 2008/09 -

1) Inter-Modal Transport.
Project is at design stage. Construction will commence towards the end of this year until April 2010

2) Pedestrianization of the following streets -

i) Elizabeth Street. Completed

ii) Bloemspruit Pedestrian route (Partial conversion of Peet and Selbourne avenue into pedestrian walkways). Construction in progress. Will be completed Sept 08, thereafter pedestrian bridge over Markgraaf street to commence until Nov 2009.


3) Upgrading of Mandela drive to include bus lanes?
- Widening of Nelson Mandela to commence later this year. The inclusion of dedicated bus lane will be subject to outcome of discussion with department of transport currently in progress.

4) Is Seisa Ramabodu stadium going to be upgrade and if so when will the upgrade start and if possible please send me the pics of how it will look.

- Not confirmed yet due to funding that is still outstanding funds.

is there anything happening in Mafikeng. it seems they are getting left behind!!!!!!!!

Where is Mafikeng
Never heard of such a place
I

Small city next to Botswana border in the North West province, isn't it the capital of the province actually?

It's the capital of North West province. It's close to the Botswana border and Gaborone. I know a guy who went to the international school there.

I was joking
It is such a small place
Maybe we should maike a thread on Mafikeng

Bloemfontein really isn't that small..

Northwest is a forgotten province, nothing much is happening there despite being the world's largest producer of platinum. Its disgusting the way people in that province are being neglected by the government.

I agree with you Lydon
Bloemfontein is quite a big town...........But in city status ways; it is a small city
It is one of the major cities in South Africa though
And it has qite a few nice archtecture gems

28 August 2008
Mangaung’s Hoffman Square up for 2010 facelift

Simangaliso Zwane

Mangaung – As one of the Host Cities, Bloemfontein aims to use the prospect of hosting 2010 Fifa World Cup™ matches to expedite its expansion programmes, says 2010 Project Management Chief Executive Officer George Mohlakoana.

Speaking to SA2010 Website, Mohlakoana said plans to revamp Hoffman Square which is located in the centre of the Bloemfontein central business district are well underway.

The redevelopment project is part of the city’s 2010 Legacy Programme.

“The Hoffman Square area forms part of the CBD master plan, in terms of CBD renewal and we are using the World Cup to be able to fast track the implementation of the redevelopment project.

We are also making sure that the area will become an iconic representation of the city and also making sure that you have a proper recreational facility within the CBD itself,” he said.

According to Mohlakoana the city of Bloemfontein will also use the World Cup games to address accommodation database shortfalls.

“Other legacy projects that we are looking at is making sure that in terms of our accommodation database we have an increase in terms of the number of establishments and automatically the number of beds,” he said.

He said two hotels have been completed as part of the city’s 2010 World Cup preparations and a third hotel will be completed in the next few months.

“If you look around there are a number of hotels that are under construction and two have been completed already.

We’ve got the Urban Hotel which has been completed and also the Windmill Casino that was completed not so long ago and in the near future which is in the next few months we will have the Protea Hotel within the zoo also completed,” he said.

Apart from these projects, the Mangaung 2010 office has identified two stadiums which will be upgraded to serve as multi-purpose venues beyond the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

“One of the things that we are looking at apart from the accommodation from a legacy perspective, it’s obviously in relation to making sure that we have decent sports facilities within Mangaung where we will be upgrading some of the sports facilities,” said Mohlakoana.

Seisa Ramabodu and Botshabelo Stadiums have been earmarked for the upgrades.

That stinking pisspot of a place? It is in DESPERATE need of an upgrade, and people must please just stop pissing on the street... it is disgusting, don't y'all think? No wonder even Ster Kinekor closed their tiny little cinema on the square almost 10 years ago now. No no no no no... The whole area around Hoffmann Square, Middestad Centre and Sanlam Plaza, as well as the Tweetoringkerk looks like a skwatta kamp. Ag nee jirre, Bloemfonteiners, pull up your socks and clean up this mess. People need a dignified, clean city experience, which is something even PE seems to be able to offer these days - might I refer to the squares in front of PE city hall (with Traduna Mall) and the PE Public Library. So clean you could eat off the pavement without contracting Hepatitis A through H. I know it's a bit of a far stretch (after all, Pamela Anderson got it off a doorknob), but in comparison Bloemfontein is a bit of a kakhuis at the moment.

^^ could not agree with you more. place is a hole, but this is due to the big apple mall/ taxi rank and train station. area should be easy enough to uplift as it is not the biggest of CBDs. there are some nice old buildings in town, but i dont venture into those parts much. we use to do business in fichart st, but these days it reminds me of a cypress tune 'comin up da slums'

Bloemfontein's CBD has a lot of potential, since it is rather dense, though small. There are a lot of apartment blocks IN the city, which means their should ideally be a high level of pedestrianisation. Anyway, it is true what you say - there are architectural gems. Some beautiful sandstone buildings like the Presidensie, the 4th Raadsaal, the Appeals Court, the City Hall, the building on the corner of St Andrews Street (next to Land Bank) and some of the churches. There are also some nice gardens with beautiful old trees and fountains. But EVERYTHING needs to be cleaned up first. The streets are quite beautiful and tree-lined, but the public spaces are too filthy. I remember seeing some student proposals for a Hoffmann square upgrade back in the 1990s, but these never actually happened.

I hope something good happens now.

ja, st andrews st is the boundry, from there till the train station is shocking. those court houses have so much potential, in any other city it would be a focal point, however boerfontein would rather have us going to 2nd ave (home of the doggiest boerwors rolls).

^^ Isn't the train station part of the 2010 legacy project for Bloem?

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^^ me eyes - i can't see

A whole lot of Mo Rush's posts have no pictures when the description is of something or other.. Pity.

The Africa Sporting Academy which will be almost identical to the Sporting Lisbon facility at Alcochete will be constructed in Bloem with construction to start this April and expected official opening in January 2010. It will be located on the road to the Airport.

Where grassroots grow

Luke Alfred Published:Jan 24, 2009

The Africa Sporting Academy to be built in Bloemfontein will be almost identical to the Sporting Lisbon facility at Alcochete

‘They will encourage boys to dribble and take on defenders’


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Academy with Sporting link will be one of the finest and best-designed football facilities in Africa.



Bloemfontein Celtic’s recent academy deal with Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon and a third partner came about in circumstances familiar to us all.

“We saw a match a couple of years ago between Bafana and Lesotho that ended in a draw,” says Carlos Catalino, managing director of Extra Dimensions, a South African telecom company who brought Celtic and Sporting together.

“We just weren’t happy with what was happening in local football and we asked how Portugal — we all come from a Portuguese background — a country of 10-million people, could at that stage be ranked third in the world, while South Africa was struggling to a draw with Lesotho. There and then we decided to do something about it.”

After trips to Nantes and Lille and several clubs in Spain, Catalino and his partners finally found what they were looking for in Alcochete, Sporting Lisbon’s splendid training and development facility just outside Lisbon.

Platinum Stars were at that stage an interested party but, eventually, the short list thinned and it was decided in principle that Celtic, Sporting and Extra Dimensions would get into an equal partnership.

A long period of consultation and productive disagreement followed — Sporting didn’t like the original architectural plans submitted by the South Africans — but, essentially, the parties got together to build what early indications suggest could be one of the finest and most thoughtfully designed football academies on the continent.

The deal has been signed and building will start in April. It is planned to open officially in January next year.

“The design of the academy outside Bloemfontein (on the road to the airport) is almost identical to the Sporting facility at Alcochete,” says Catalino. “The similarities are nearly 100%.”

“What happened was that the original plans submitted from South Africa were rejected and then a guy called Josè Salena and our guy, a local architect called Dries Nel, got together to draw up new plans.

“All the boys’ rooms in the new design face outwards towards the soccer fields. That’s because Sporting believe the boys are there to play football. It’s part of teaching the boys to love the game.”

According to Celtic CEO Ikie Augousti, the academy will accept mainly local footballers, but 30% of the young players will be from elsewhere in Africa.

There will be teams in the under-11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 age groups.

The head of Sporting’s youth development planning is to settle in South Africa later this year to help the bedding downprocess along.

“Between eight and 12 members of Sporting will make up their delegation when they visit for the official South African launch next month, including Paulo Cardoso, their head of recruitment,” says Augousti.

Sporting are famous for the seemingly endless number of stellar players coming off their production line, whether it be Paulo Futre or the better known Nani, Simao Sabrosa and Cristiano Ronaldo.

They liked what they saw in videos of local Free State talent that were sent to Portugal, noting similarities between the South African and the Portuguese style of play, with its southern European accent on individual flair and expression on the ball.

“One reason we liked Sporting and their attitude was that they will always encourage a boy to dribble and take on defenders,” says Catalino.

“The English system will never encourage that kind of thing. They push the ball out onto the wings and then cross it in, so there were some obvious cultural differences there.

Some of the boys we videoed in Heilbron can do with a plastic ball what Ronaldo was doing at age 11 back in Portugal. The Sporting guys really responded well to that because they had a feel for our style of play.”

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Willayster, has the Hoffman Square and Inter Modal Transport projects started or are there indication of when they starting?

^^ not to my knowledge Pule.

Thanks buddy, I hope they started already.

Mooie kerken die twee :)

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Mooie kerken die twee :)

Dat klopt, maar de tweede is geen kerk. Het is de zogenaamde Vierde Raadzaal van de Republiek Vrijstaat.

^^ daai ouens het n kakhuis vol raadsale gehad.

Oh oké het heeft inderdaad wel iets weg van een capitool achtig gebouw..leuk dat jullie me kunnen 'verstaan'.

Oh oké het heeft inderdaad wel iets weg van een capitool achtig gebouw..leuk dat jullie me kunnen 'verstaan'.

Niet allemaal, hoor:ohno: En binnenkort zullen de andere vragen dat wij hier alleen Engels moeten schrijven...

Oh oké het heeft inderdaad wel iets weg van een capitool achtig gebouw..leuk dat jullie me kunnen 'verstaan'.

Whilst there may be a very sketchy words, one can get the general meaning of your messages.

Lydon I thought you didn't understand Afrikaans?? Or just don't like it...

Lol, of course I understand Afrikaans. I'm just not a fan of it :P

Waarom moeten jullie Engels praten? Afrikaans is toch ook gewoon een officiële taal? En op het Belgische forum hier praten ze ook Nederlands en Frans door elkaar.

We speak other languages sometimes, but I guess its easier to include international users when a common language such as English is spoken :)

We speak other languages sometimes, but I guess its easier to include international users when a common language such as English is spoken :)

Very good point! I have nothing against afrikaans, because I listen to a lot of afrikaans music (Phillip de Villiers, Karen Zoid, Die Melktert Kommissie, Bok Van Blerk, etc...) For me, as an international user, try to keep in English...:lol:

Yea, definitely less confusing for people that way.

I'm not such a language Nazi as these boys and girls... so when you speak to me, you may have your pick of English, Afrikaans, Dutch, French or German. My Italian is rusty, but I'll still be able to catch your drift....

Mangaung Intermodal project

Project renders, courtesy of www.velavke.co.za

http://www.velavke.co.za/projects.htm?action=view-item&id=852

The Mangaung Intermodal project is one of the 2010 Soccer World Cup legacy projects and as such it is being financed by the National Department of Transport. The contract value of the project is R400 million and will consist of mutli-storey transportation centre with ranking facilities for minibus-taxi’s, buses (BRT) and long-distance coaches. A series of dedicated pedestrian links, will connect the centre to the Bloemfontein train station and the Central Park bus station.
The Mangaung Intermodal Centre will be located in the heart of the Bloemfontein Central Business District. It will consist of three floors above ground with ranking and holding areas for some 900 minibus taxis with the associated ablution, management and formal hawker facilities.

A unique feature of the centre is the incorporation of retail areas as part of the centre. The income from retail will be utilized by the Local Municipality to receive an income stream which will be utilized to provide management, maintenance and cleansing services.

Sky bridges and vertical stair wells will connect the centre to the adjacent railway – and commuter bus stations, this will prevent pedestrians from having to cross the busy streets in the area.

On the ground floor of the centre provision will be made for loading bays for long-distance coaches and a stop for a future bus-rapid-transit system for the larger Bloemfontein area.

Work on the R400 million contract will commence during January 2009 and the centre is stated to be completed by May 2010.

^^ by the way the contrsctor for development has been appointed and the site clearing will start soon.

How come this city don't have alot of skyscrapers?

uhm, it is a fairly small city, also the CBD (downtown) is rather dense with 4 - 5 story buildings which were build a long time ago. think there was a lack of space when other cities were building tall structures.

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Can the landscaping around the stadium be any shitter!!!!! Bloody disgrace to host an international event and it looks like a f.... shit hole outside the stadium.... no attention to detail... FAD people, please.

^^ the pavements need to be redone. problem is, in the middle of the winter it is really hard to make Bloem look nice, well that almost goes for the entire interior - cause its so dry and vaal during the winter months....

yeah, the outside of the staduim looks a bit crappy, however there are working on it, as seen in the photo.

I love Bloemfontein, the vibe and friendliness of the people just makes it a place to be. A couple of 10/15 floor highrises would add flavor to it's skyline. Second avenue rocks but would love to see more street cafes and less of offices. Is it me or people of Bloem likes eating out, I saw 3 Spurs in Nelson Mandela avenue and there are lots of shopping centres with restaurants. There are 3 Stadium fast food in which 2 are next to the stadium. The other good thing is that roads are being upgraded.

^^ bloem ppl do have a taste for life..

Yes they do.

I wish there was a lake and artificial beach where people could go chill during summer/winter days and a theme park.

^^rustfontein dam, 40 min outside bloemers on the botshobelo rd.. pretty chilled out scene..

Nice but could have been better if it was close to the CBD.

I wish there was a lake and artificial beach where people could go chill during summer/winter days and a theme park.

^^ certainly would boost speedo sales in the area, which are already alarmingly high..

Btw Pule, there is 5 spur's in Bloem... :banana: :lol: There was a story a while back that we hold the record for the most eating joints per people in the world / southern hemisphere or something :nuts:

Or Maselspoort resort just outside Bloem, on the airport road...

^^ Jackes, was the waterfront more busy than usual during confed? were there shops taking advantage of the occasion, if yes, which ones?

Btw Pule, there is 5 spur's in Bloem... :banana: :lol: There was a story a while back that we hold the record for the most eating joints per people in the world / southern hemisphere or something :nuts:

Damn that's crazy, you guys definately chow a lot.

^^ Jackes, was the waterfront more busy than usual during confed? were there shops taking advantage of the occasion, if yes, which ones? Not to sure hey, tried to stay clear of it during the stampede :cheers:

I did see that Mary moon had some boere specials intruducing the foreigners to boere biltong soup ( althought I have never heard of biltong in soup myself :nuts: ) Coco C had a soccer fnb art show with sculptures and paintings. Not to sure about the rest thought. My folks visited the weekend and I decided to take them for some ocean basket on saturday eve after the rugby, only to realise halfway on my way there that I was'nt thinking :bash: going to the waterfront next to the stadium an hour before SA play spain next to it and expect to get a seating. :lol:

But I continued to drive past there and the atmosphere seemed amazing..

Damn that's crazy, you guys definately chow a lot.
How else do you think we breed them Grey-boytjies ( that gets exported to the sharks a few years later ) so tough, we got to feed them hey :)

thanks man.

hi

beautiful city, I love South Africa

greetings from México

Can anyone verify? Just heard reports it's snowing in Bloemfontein... :)

its just dandruff from koos van rooyen

Any one knowing the status of the progress to this stage? I liked the way Bloemfontein used the dedicated bus stops for boarding transport between accomodation points and the city/stadium.

Mangaung Intermodal Transport Facility progressing on schedule

30 April 2009

CONSTRUCTION of the Mangaung Intermodal Public Transport Facility as the biggest inner city regeneration project the city of Mangaung has ever undertaken, is progressing on schedule and on Monday, 30 March 2009 the site was handed over to the contractors for the second phase of the project.

In order to facilitate this, taxis are being relocated to an alternative Ranking Site for the duration of the construction period. This alternative site is located behind the Centlec Cooling Towers.

The multi–storey Mangaung Intermodal Public Transport Facility consists of a ground floor, first floor, second floor and a third floor which has the following to offer:

Accommodate 800 taxis within the building and 150 long distance taxis on Bastion Square,

An elevated pedestrian walkway over Hanger Street linking Central Park to the facility to minimise pedestrian/vehicle conflict. Commuters will be able to take a commuter bus to the different destinations in and around the city as well as Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo

The building will span over Harvey Road to link up to the Bloemfontein Heritage Railway Station,

Long distance bus operation facilities on the ground floor (coaches),

Three vertical circulation towers which will be friendly towards people with disabilities.

Cycle lockers where cyclists can lock up their bicycles and take a different mode of transport.

Dedicated metered taxi bays,

Structured hawker facilities

Formal retail areas on the ground and first floor that will generate income to maintain the building.

The facility will also be managed by a facilities management company and security people will monitor movement on foot and with a CCTV system.

As a point of entry into the city, the Mangaung Intermodal Transport Facility will play a vital role, while at the same time public transport modes in the city are to be brought under one roof, limiting traffic congestion and constituting a safe environment for commuters and operators. The project is furthermore having a secondary urban renewal effect.

For the duration of the construction phase of the project, Harvey Road between Maitland and St Georges Streets will be closed.

The community is therefore requested to use alternative routes so as to allow a smooth flow of traffic and unhampered progress of the project, which is estimated to be completed within 15 months.

For more information, contact Qondile Khedama: GM Communications of Mangaung Local Municiaplity, at (051) 405 8255.

this project is not aimed at 2010 WC is it? seems like they are upgrading the Central park rank - currently that area is a mess and crime is very high. a large number of bfn's work force commute from thaba nchu side, this will hopefully be a welcome addition for them - they really need to upgrade the thaba nchu rd to a double highway to coincide with the upgrade, its currently a death trap due to the high volumes.

It's meant to accomodate transport that will also be used for 2010. Bosman Square was also earmarked to be one of the viewing area for 2010 but it seems like it won't be ready by then.

bosman, do you mean hoffman?

:lol: yip I meant Hoffman.

ja, there is suppose to be a big screen going up. met the owner of the cicel hotel, which is on hoffman. asked him if the plans are going ahead, he was not convinced that they would get it all done in time - they really need to clean up that area, its beyong miff

which cities have the biggest shortfall of beds for 2010? bfn en PE must be up there?

I know about Bfn, not sure about PE but it would be unnecessary to have more beds just for the world cup and suffer after that. I think Bfn need to be more than creative to attract tourists in the city.

agreed. with respect to bfn, it really does not have much going for it in terms of international tourists. the city does however take advantage of its central geographical position - plenty of natianal sport tournamants (esp on a junior level) are held in the city, which is generally a great boost to the local economy. rate it is also the thinking behind the proposed conference centre, currently the city does not have a major venue.

I'd really love to see Bloem improve and grow. It's about time something starts happening over there.

^^ that's my wish.

you would need some seriouse stimulus plans, currently there is hardly any industry/ factories in bfn - it is basically a glorified service centre for the surrrounding farms and towns.
the effect of feet generating activity has an amazing effect on the cities economy, last yr when i lived there i could notice the effect of a rugby game, art festival, JZ court case, anc or cope rally ect on our companies sales - the more often they can lure folk to bfn the better of the whole area would be.

Pan Tau @ Flickr

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

you would need some seriouse stimulus plans, currently there is hardly any industry/ factories in bfn ...

That's one of the obstacles but I'm sure there will be posetives when they actually start working seriously on what the called N8 Corridor. They must make sure that their agricultural industry is one of the best in the country and does create sustainable jobs.

All that is needed is people who are pessionate and having a goal of wanting to suceed. They can also focus on being the IT hub of the country.

This one of the article related to the N8 Corridor

Development along the N8 corridor taking off

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00
A full nodal analysis of the N8 corridor has been completed and investment opportunities in mainstream and niche markets identified

Below, we have highlighted two nodes that will be central to the success of the N8 corridor, and the opportunities and niche markets highlighted as having high potential for development

Bloemfontein CBD

The Bloemfontein CBD represents a multi-functional node with a mixture of commercial, retail, community, cultural and residential components – located at the most western point of the N8 corridor. The CBD is still the city centre but it has lost a lot of its diversified nature, which has been a contributing factor to the perceived economic decline of this central node.

Perceived contributing factors to this decline include:
• A decrease in the diversification of the residents of the CBD
• A shift towards more entrepreneurial ventures, with the result that fewer employment opportunities are available
• Competition between formal and informal traders and a shift in focus of products and services

Development opportunities:
In its efforts to return the CBD to the economic centre of the city and the province, the municipality has noted the following opportunities for development:
• Residential development opportunities: growing the residency will diversify the population in terms of skills and needs to boost both the supply and demand of the area
• Tourism development opportunities – the museum and President Brand street
• Educational development opportunities
• Expansion of trade opportunities – formal and informal
• Expansion of the motor industry and supporting light industries
• Benefits from the redevelopment of Hoffman Plein: the inter-modal facility attracts high volumes of potential consumers that can be absorbed by structured informal traders and retailers within the vicinity. This also holds the opportunity of providing community services within this precinct – police services, clinics, medical services, and so forth.
• Marketing and event management, through better branding of the CBD

Niche market identification
The following niche markets can be assigned to the CBD, falling into the retail and wholesale, office, and tourism property markets:
• Trade sector
• Community, social and personal service sector
• Tourism sector
• Business service sector

Fresh market produce/Estoire extension

The Fresh Produce Market is located in close proximity to the Spoornet Service Delivery facility and is clearly visible from the N8. The facility, however, does not obtain direct access from the N8. An abattoir is located on the same premises as the market – initiating agglomeration advantages. The node is also extended to include the Estoire smallholdings along the N8 corridor.

The Fresh Produce Market represents a distribution point for fresh products. Products are received from different parts in South Africa and sold locally and regionally. This node will continue to fulfil this role and function as part of the N8 corridor, strengthened by supporting activities in order to create an agriculture distribution and local beneficiation node.

Opportunities for investment and development along this node have been identified as such:
• It is evident that opportunities of local beneficiation exist, with fresh products concentrated at one point providing the opportunity for producing agricultural related products. Examples include: packaging, production of stir-fry vegetables, production of already-cut vegetables, canning fruit and vegetables, processing of baby food (purity), production of fruit juice extracts and puree
• Increase the level of local agricultural product sales at the facility
• Opportunity also exists for locating supporting services on the same premises in order to create a one-stop service. Such as might include: a butchery, fish market, a dairy component to purchase fresh milk, cheese, yoghurt and even a bakery
• Another option of strengthening this node is to attract higher volumes of consumers – this can be obtained via the development of a filling station
• Extension of the commercial and light industrial character of the node along the N8 and inner-ring road
• Development of higher density residential developments

Niche market identification
These opportunities translate into the light manufacturing sector, commercial sector, trade sector and construction sector. This then translates into the light industrial property market, retail and wholesale market and residential property market.

Full nodal analysis

These are just two of the nodes identified as critical to the success of the N8 corridor. A full nodal analysis has been conducted and is available from Mangaung Municipality. For any information regarding investment in the developments outlined in this analysis, contact

Also check this document : http://www.freestateinvestment.co.za/en/InvestmentOpportunities/Tourism/Infrastructure.aspx

thanks for the info

Bloemfontein gets 2010 centre

Written by Audra Mahlong

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

All hi-tech information centres will open in time for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, says the Department of Tourism.

The Department of Tourism is set to open its R6.7 million Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in Bloemfontein. The VIC utilises features such as touch-screens and Web-based technology.

The centre, which will officially be opened by deputy tourism minister Tokozile Xasa on 20 November, was set up in preparation for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

As part of the national VIC project, centres have been rolled out in three host cities: Port Elizabeth, Polokwane and Rustenburg. The final centre, located in Nelspruit, will be opened next year.

The department says the centre is intended to provide a one-stop service to tourists requiring information on a wide range of tourism aspects.

“The primary objective of the VIC project is to effectively address the tourism needs of visitors expected to converge in the five host cities in 2010 and beyond. All the VICs also boast a specially designed information and reservation system tailored to cater for the South African market,” says tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

The centre will use a visitors` information system, the Visitor Information Centres Enterprise Network Systems, which was developed by the department. The system will allow users to plan and finalise a travel itinerary by means of touch-screens and Web-based technology. It also offers tourists their own unique itinerary, which is accessible from anywhere in the world.

The IT system will also integrate and standardise the technology component in all centres across the country, to allow the visitor to have a seamless travel experience. It will also afford the tourist the ability to access information from any location in one of the five host cities.

The department previously stated that smaller businesses will for the first time have access to a centralised, standardised and affordable reservation system. Small and medium enterprises will be able to update and control their reservation system, in turn providing up to the minute information to tourists.

The centre will make use of touch-screens linked to a central database, to cater for any tourist information requirements. In addition, plasma screens display the tourism products on offer and advertising for local businesses. The centres will also have information officers at the main desk, free Internet access and an online booking system.


Source: http://www.mydigitallife.co.za

The Bloemfontein Airport access road and intersection bridge construction is nearing completion though there are challenges facing constructors working on the project.

http://www.publiceyenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=667:challenges-at-bloemfontein-bridge-construction-site&Itemid=48

Sure there are challenges, it's a challenge for all of us using that road each day not to crap in our pants of frustration... :bash: Sheesh, that part is chaos during peak hours, the whole of thaba nchu trying to get into bloem, all the interstate buses as well as traffic from the airport landing early morning all using one lane in each direction...

Another nice one was the pedestrian bridge that went up last week, had one of the main roads out of town blocked for the whole week, sending all that traffic past the waterfront and mall ( that is already under road constructions - seems never ending with these contractors we have here ) as well as Nelson mandela ave ( main road ) being resurvaced, top layers being taken off and the "holes" left like that for the whole weekend before it gets tarred again only the next week.

All fun and games here... These contrators surely is not in the same league as some other locally produced big boys, read raubex / raumix...

^^ but I'm sure that they will complete them before the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup.

Sunday Times yesterday advertised a new retail component in the CBD and it has been approved. It's a single floor and thank God it's not a mall or shopping centre.

How's the Intermodal transport coming, last time I heard that it won'tbe ready for the tournament but it looked like they were halfway to the finish?

Surely they will be finished yes. Intermodal transport ? That development in the cbd for the busses ? Nope, last time I went past that area I will be surprised if they will be finished in this year...

^^ yip the same one for buses.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Soccer/WorldCup/383/de96103969fb47719b54704459a4758c/06-04-2010-02-52/Bloem_fans_face_chilly_visit

What can I say.. They put everything until the last minute and think they will just meet the deadline... but sometime things dont work as planned.. then what? the N8/airport traffic is a nightmare..

That "chilly visit" article is misleading abit. Bloem winters arent as cold as european winters. although its -2'C, its dry cold so its not THAT cold! Tourists should just relax and enjoy the show piece! I hope after the world cup, the Bloem government will wake up and realise that theres a huge backlog in infrastructure development. Especially the traffic problem on Nelson Mandela drive in the mornings. Traffic doesnt move there!

It's because they leave it till the last minute that it is such a rush job and it does'nt last.

Our roads are one big &%$$%&$%$& up... MY inlaws visited from Cape Town a few weeks ago and could'nt believe what they saw in the condition our roads are in compared to CT. And now I'm talking mainroads, not backstreets. On morning live a few weeks ago they talked about bad roads and asked rob byrne the traffic guy what he hears is the worst roads in SA and he mentioned Bloem alongside the nw roads. Pathetic, our municipality stinks of corruption and losses...

^^ We all know why Cape Town is the way it is. Get the super-opposition ready!!! Time to drive out corruption so we can drive on our roads.

One wonders who paid for those millions of litres of precious water that caused this over those months...


Daar kry Bfn toe sy eie Groot Gat!

http://www.volksblad.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Daar-kry-Bfn-toe-sy-eie-Groot-Gat!-20100408

"Nou het Bloemfontein sy eie Groot Gat.”

Dit was gister een van die opmerkings oor ’n reuse-gat op die hoek van Zastron- en Wes-Burgerstraat. Die gat, van omtrent twee meter lank en twee meter wyd, het gister omstreeks 12:00 verskyn nadat die water uit ’n gebarste pyp vermoedelik maande lank die grond onder die teer weggespoel het.

Die gat was gevul met borrelende, vinnig vloeiende water, wat ’n omstander laat opmerk het: “Dit lyk soos ’n jacuzzi in die middel van die pad.”

Nuuskieriges het gistermiddag om die gat saamgedrom om foto’s van die vreemde verskynsel te neem, terwyl motoriste ’n sug van verligting geslaak het dat hulle nie in die gat beland het nie.

Mnr. Gabriel Appelo sê hy was op pad werk toe, toe hy sien hoe ’n silwer Toyota Camry voor hom se wiel skielik ’n bietjie in die teer wegsak. Hy het ’n bietjie verder in die straat gaan stop en teruggestap na die plek waar dit gebeur het en die gat, ongeveer “so groot soos ’n kosbord”, gesien.

Terwyl hy probeer het om die verkeer rondom die gat te herlei, het ’n Corsa-bakkie glo oor die klein gat gery en dit het meegegee. Gelukkig het die bakkie nie in die gat beland nie.

Verkeersbeamptes het glo kort hierna op die toneel aangekom en kegels gebruik om die verkeer van die gat af weg te hou.

Werkers van die munisipaliteit was gou op die toneel en het onmiddellik begin om die water uit die gat te pomp. Watertoevoer na verskeie geboue in die middestad is afgesny sodat geen verder water in die gat opdam nie.

Mnr. Qondile Khedama, munisipale woordvoerder, sê dit is nie moontlik om te sê hoe lank dit sal neem om die gat te herstel nie.

Volgens ’n munisipale werknemer op die toneel moet hulle nou eers uitvind presies waar die pyp met ’n deursnee van 375?mm gebars het en dit herstel voordat herstelwerk aan die straat kan voortgaan. Hierna sal hulle die gat met grond vul. Dan moet gewag word dat dit sak en droog word voordat die straat weer geteer kan word.

Die werker sê volgens alle aanduidings moes die water maande lank reeds uit die pyp gelek het en die grond weggespoel het om so ’n groot gat te kon vorm.

Mangaung Intermodal Transport.

http://www.dorma-sa.co.za/interactive/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MG_2547.jpg

http://www.dorma-sa.co.za/interactive/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MG_2569.jpg

http://www.dorma-sa.co.za/interactive/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/MG_25671.jpg

Not bad at all ! thanks Pule!

Does this mean that the long distance bus terminal has been moved to the city centre?