Senekal

Senekal is a town situated on the banks of the Sand River in the eastern part of the Free State province of South Africa. It was named after Commandant FP Senekal. It is the second largest town in Setsoto Municipality after Ficksburg, the largest town and capital of Setsoto. Senekal lies on the N5 national road between Winburg on the west and Bethlehem to the east. It has two townships, Matwabeng and OR Tambo Section, the latter being the latest, largest and fastest growing.

For other uses, see Senekal (surname).
Senekal
Dutch Reformed Church in Senekal
Senekal
Senekal
Senekal
Coordinates: 28°19′S 27°36′E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceFree State
DistrictThabo Mofutsanyane
MunicipalitySetsoto
Established1877[1]
Government
 • TypeLocal Government
 • CouncillorsMrs M Mthimkhulu (Ward 3); Mrs M Motsei (Ward 5); Mr M Silasi (Ward 6); Mr L Modire (Ward 7) (ANC)
Area
 • Total37.1 km2 (14.3 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total25,542
 • Density690/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African93.0%
 • Coloured0.6%
 • Indian/Asian0.4%
 • White5.9%
 • Other0.2%
First languages (2011)
 • Sotho88.8%
 • Afrikaans7.3%
 • Sign language1.3%
 • Other2.6%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
9600
PO box
9600
Area code058 481
Websitehttp://www.senekal.biz

Senekal combined with its townships have two police stations, correctional facilities, one hospital and three functioning clinics with the fourth still underway in OR Tambo Section. It has a radio station, Naledi Community radio station, which serves most parts of the Eastern Free State and small parts of Lesotho. It broadcasts on 103.9 MHz.

Farming around Senekal plays a vital role in the economy of the province and country at large. Produce includes maize, sunflower, wheat, milk and livestock.

The two most spoken official languages around Senekal are Afrikaans and Sesotho, the latter being the most widely spoken.

Places of interest in Senekal include Arizona Game Reserve, Biddulphs Mountain Resort and Willem Pretorius Game Reserve, though in Matjhabeng, falls under Setsoto Boundaries. One of the oldest churches in the Free State can be found at the centre of the town. The church is fenced with petrified wood, originally excavated from farms nearby.

Farm attacks and 2020 protests

In October 2018 rural safety in the Senekal area was thrown in the spotlight when Mr Mandeni Johannes Moloi was murdered on his farm, after several break in attempts at his house.[3] Two alleged perpetrators were arrested, and the DA proposed the establishment of rural safety units.

On 6 October 2020, agricultural leaders and community members protested outside the Senekal Magistrate Court, as the trial of Mahlamba and Matlaletsa, the accused killers of farm manager Brendin Horner, commenced.[4] Protesters stormed the court and a police car was turned over and allegedly set on fire.[5] Various groups and public figures, including Police Minister Bheki Cele,[6] Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola,[7] Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela[8] and the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union,[9] condemned the occurrences. Their next court appearance of 16 October[10] was once again accompanied by demonstrations from different groups outside the court building.[11]

Notable people from Senekal
  • Councillor P. Mzizi – first mayor during new dispensation, before amalgamation of 4 towns (Senekal, Marquard, Clocolan and Ficksburg) Petrus Mzizi led the council as ANC member
  • Maditlhare Molete and Mbothoma S. Maduna – the first two mayors of Setsoto Municipality
  • Naka Drotské – former rugby player and coach of the Free State Cheetahs[12]
  • Toks van der Linde – former rugby player and TV personality[13]
  • Serame Letsoaka – Free State Stars FC coach[14]
  • E. E. Monese – a long serving, dedicated teacher and principal, after whom the secondary school and community hall are named

See also

References
  1. "Chronological order of town establishment in South Africa based on Floyd (1960:20-26)" (PDF). pp. xlv–lii.
  2. Sum of the Main Places Senekal and Matwabeng from Census 2011.
  3. Kleynhans, Leona (5 October 2018). "Mandeni Johannes Moloi murdered in farm attack - DA FState". politicsweb.co.za. PoliticsWeb. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  4. Pijoos, Iavan (6 October 2020). "'Enough is enough': Hundreds gather to demand justice for Brendin Horner". News24. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  5. Seleka, Ntwaagae (6 October 2020). "WATCH l Police van torched as farmers storm holding cells of Brendin Horner murder accused". News24. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  6. "Cele 'disgusted' by farmers resorting to violence at Brendin Horner murder trial". IOL. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  7. "Lamola condemns Senekal violence". DispatchLIVE.
  8. "Premier Sisi Ntombela notes vandalism and strike action at Senekal Magistrate's court". South African Government. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  9. "Political parties condemn farmers' violent rampage outside Senekal Magistrates Court". IOL. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  10. "Attend #BrendinHorner court case - Malema". OFM.
  11. "IN PICS: Tensions high in Senekal". eNCA. 16 October 2020.
  12. "Allen Erasmus Drotske". ESPN Scrum. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  13. "Albert van der Linde". ESPN Scrum. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  14. Ngcatshe, Phumzile (2018-06-07). "Reports: Botswana appoint Serame Letsoaka as technical director | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2020-10-26.


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