Bethlehem, South Africa

Bethlehem is a city in the eastern Free State province of South Africa that is situated on the Liebenbergs River (also called Liebenbergs Vlei) along a fertile valley just north of the Rooiberg Mountains on the N5 road. It is the fastest growing city in the Free State province, with its target of being the third largest city after Bloemfontein and Welkom.

It is a wheat growing area and named after the biblical Bethlehem, from Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם ("Beit Lechem"), meaning "house of bread".

The city lies at an altitude of 1,700 metres (5,600 ft), which contributes to its cool climate, with frosty winters and mild summers. The average annual temperature is around 14 °C (57 °F).

Bethlehem is situated approximately 240 kilometres (150 mi) north-east of Bloemfontein, 140 kilometres (87 mi) east of Kroonstad and 90 kilometres (56 mi) north-west of Harrismith. The city is strategically situated in the heart of the picturesque north-eastern Free State and originally developed as a service centre.

Bethlehem is the seat of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, which forms part of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality.

The township associated with Bethlehem is called Bohlokong in Sesotho by Basotho. It named after the hloko/bohloko grass found in the area Diheteropogon filifolius.

Bethlehem was founded in 1864. In 1900, during the Second Boer War by Henco Cronje, Bethlehem temporarily served as the seat of the Orange Free State government.

The city’s name holds significant symbolism, derived from the biblical town of Bethlehem in the Kingdom of Judah, Ancient Israel, traditionally regarded as the birthplace of King David and, according to Christian belief, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The founders of Bethlehem, South Africa were influenced by biblical narratives and chose the name in light of their cultural and religious heritage.