Happy TravellerWelcome to Hennenman, a quaint town in the Free State province of South Africa. Unlike many of the towns in the area, Hennenman is supported by agriculture rather than the mining industry. Let’s take a deeper dive into the history, law, and government of this unique settlement.
Hennenman was originally known as Ventersburg Road and was built as a single railway station. It was later renamed after local Afrikaner P.F. Hennenman, from Swartpan Farm. In 1944, black South Africans were confined to a segregated enclave in southern Hennenman, which was cleared by order of the government during apartheid. Today, the town is part of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality along with the city of Welkom and the municipalities of Allanridge, Odendaalsrus, Ventersburg, and Virginia.
Hennenman established a municipality in 1947 and later assumed a coat of arms, which was registered with the Orange Free State Provincial Administration in January 1958. The arms were a green shield displaying a mealie cob between two golden discs at the top, three horizontal golden lines across the middle, and a golden cogwheel at the bottom.
While Hennenman may not be the most well-known destination in South Africa, its rich history and charm make it a worthy stop for any traveler. Come experience the beauty and uniqueness of this small town for yourself.
