Philippolis

The town was named for the Rev. John Philip- superintendent of the London Missionary Society in South Africa at the time.

Philippolis was founded in 1823 by the London Missionary Society for the benefit of the KhoiKhoi and San (Bushman) displaced as a result of the closing of the mission at Colesberg (Toverberg) in 1818. Philippolis is the oldest town (in the modern sense of the word) in the Free State. The streets of the town are lined with quaint Karoo houses displaying 19th century front doors and stoeps. Many of these buildings have been declared national monuments.

Attractions

Also see the neighbouring towns

Around Philippolis:

Photo: Jens Friis / Philippolis Publisiteit

Philippolis is close to the Gariepdam and the Vanderkloof Dam. Outstanding fishing spots.

The town:

Photo: Jens Friis / Philippolis Publisiteit

Architecture

The Dutch Reformed Church:

Photo: Jens Friis / Philippolis Publisiteit

Transgariep Museum

Photo: Jens Friis / Philippolis Publisiteit

The Transgariep Museum features the founder of the Rev. John Philip and the activities of the London Missionary Society, the life and times of the Griquas Adam Kok II and Adam Kok III, as well as Emily Hobhouse's weaving school. After the second Anglo-Boer War (1899 - 1902), Emily Hobhouse assisted Afrikaans war victims to uplift themselves, and established a spinning and weaving school in Philippolis in 1905 for training them.

Cannons

In the 1840s the government of the Cape of Good Hope donated two naval cannons to Adam kok, the Griqua chief. These two cannons are still in operation today on the small hill next to the town.

People

Adam Kok's House (built in 1843) still stands.

The most famous modern person of Philippolis is certainly Laurens van der Post (1906 - 1996).

Laurens van der Post Memorial Garden was designed to reflect life as a journey, as Van der Post had a complex, interesting and long life. Different natural materials serve as symbols of the different satges of his life: Philippolis (water), Japan (gravel), Kalahari (Kalahari sand) and England (roses), while the journey of the soul is expressed as a segment of a circle.

Events

In November there is an annual Horse Show.

In April the Witblits Festival (Witblitsfees - distilled peach brandy and of other fruits) is held, and the cannon are fired during the festival.


Photo: Jens Friis / Philippolis Publisiteit

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Things to do

Stargazing
Camera views
Birdwatching
Gamewatching
Place of history
Bushman culture
Fishing
Tennis
Hiking trail

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History

The town of Philippolis was once in the region first called Transorangia, and later called Griqualand West.

Philippolis was founded by London Missionary Society in 1823 as a school for the Khoi-Khoi, who were the first known tribes living in the area.

In 1826 a group of Griqua under leadership of Adam Kok III settled in Philippolis until about 1862, when they sold their property and moved on to what is today Kokstad.

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Climate

Sunny year round. Some rain in summer.
Annual Rainfall: 300 mm
Average Summer Temperature: 30 C
Average Winter Temperature: 16 C
Highest recorded temperature: 42 C
Lowest recorded temperature: - 10 C

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Economy

Sheep farming

Thanks

Thanks to Jens Friis for additional information.

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