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Thabong
Thabong (meaning 'place of happiness' in Southern Sotho) is the second largest township after Botshabelo in the Free State province of South Africa. The township was established during the years of segregation of black people as well as the township of Bronville for coloured people adjacent to the city of Welkom, to accommodate workers at the world's richest gold mines. The township forms part of Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, that includes Welkom. The township is filled with diversity of people due to people who came from various countries like Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, etc. to work in mines of Goldfields. The most spoken languages in Thabong is Sesotho followed by Xhosa. GeographyCommunitiesThabong consists of 49 suburbs of which can classified as follow
The number of middle-class black South Africans or so called Black Diamonds in the township has risen dramatically with suburbs like Oppenheimer Park, Jerusalem Park, Mshongoville, Soweto and Las Vegas. DemographicsPopulation distributionToday the townships of Thabong and Bronville have a population of approximately 200,000 residents. Usually Thabong is referred to the combination of both Thabong and Bronville (former Coloured township) though Bronville is classified as an independent township of Welkom. EconomyMiningThe majority of the people work in the richest mines of the Goldfields since the township was formed originally to accommodate people who worked in the mines. RetailPeople from both Thabong and Bronville do their shopping in Welkom, however, at the rate at which the township of Thabong is growing a new shopping mall, "Boitumelo Junction" has been opened. At 25,500 m2, it is anchored by Shoprite, Boxer and the usual others. The most fashionable and lovely place of interest especially during December Holidays is Shopong Tsa Kgale meaning 'Old shops' That's where Thabong Kids figuratively or 'Black Diamonds' meet to enjoy themselves especially the ones who have moved out of Thabong to places like Johannesburg, Sandton, Randburg, Roodepoort, Pretoria, etc.
Culture and contemporary lifeCommunity Service Centres
SportIndoor Sport Centre[2] - A municipal sport centre offering boxing, rugby, soccer, netball, tennis, hockey, cricket, bowling, swimming and snooker facilities. Stadium Zuka Baloyi Stadium, a multi-sport facility, that is currently mostly used for soccer. Law and GovernmentGovernmentInformal settlements are being transformed into formal settlements especially the one of Hani Park near the coloured township of Bronville and multiple Extensions have been formed from Hani park all the way to Straighting near the Bridge (Ext 15 to Ext 21) EducationSchools and librariesPrimary schools
Secondary schools
Colleges and universitiesTertiary level Tosa F.E.T college situated near the suburb of Jerusalem Park is geared towards employment opportunities with Engineering been the main focus
InfrastructureHealth systemsThabong hosts Bongani Regional Hospital and together with Bronville host various primary care clinics, some are open 24 hours per day. Bongani Regional HospitalBongani is a state hospital which provides specialized secondary services and admits patients referred by Primary Health Care Institutions from surrounding towns and District Hospitals. Services include:
If a patient is transported by an ambulance, they receive immediate care. However, if a patient arrives with his own transport and is not in critical condition which includes trauma, one requests a docket by the receptionist and queues all day for a doctor at casualties. Many patients and staff are frustrated due to the lack of staff and resources. Therefore there are private hospitals available:
Local clinic available with a good doctor:
Other facilities
Notable people
References
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