Dorpstigting in die Oranje-Vrystaat: 1854-1864

Of the nine Orange Free State towns which were accorded the status of towns between 1854 and 1864, eight came into being without the approval of the Volksraad. The first ordinance on local government did not contain any procedures for the establishment of towns but merely laid down directives according to which existing towns were to be administered. However, the vigorous growth of the new state made it necessary to establish new towns for which, in addition to religious considerations, there were also demographic, geographic and economic reasons.