The Joyride Blog
Town of the week - Reitz─── 15:46 Thu, 17 Feb 2022
This week, Aaron's town of the week is the small maize town of Reitz in the eastern Free State town.
Reitz is a small town in the Eastern Free State, about 35km north of Bethlehem. Reitz was different in its origin, whilst most towns in the Free State started with a proclamation, Reitz came about before it was officially proclaimed. It started as an outspan on the farm Stampkop. An outspan is a place where transport riders could stop and release their oxen for grazing. It was common practise and also a necessary practice to give the oxen a chance to refuel before the next days trek.
Soon a shop appeared run by Mr. Singer, that shop also handled the post and the place became knowns as Singers Post. Next was a blacksmith and other small businesses.
The first plots were sold from 1884 onwards and the Volksraad authorised the establishment of the town in 1889. Initially the name given was Amsterdam and later changed to Reitz after the president of the Free State at the time, who came in person to proclaim the place.
Town of the week - Reitz:
