Brief Overview
Constitution & Government
Population & Citizenship
Total Population: 11.74 Million
By 1936, the majority of those living in the Free State are in fact white or coloured. The native African population numbers only around 42%. Oranjean Citizenship was defined after the Boer Civil War in 1864 when all Boer, from both the Free State and the former Transvaal, and white Afrikaners and immigrants (Uitlanders) were simply considered “Oranjean”. A 1879 High Court ruling defined protections for all immigrants and Indian/Asian citizens. Citizenship was further defined for Griqua, Bruin Afrikaners (coloured) and Blacks after a High Court ruling in 1912 and then for persons regardless of race or color in the new 1913 Constitution. There are two primary sources of citizenship: birthright citizenship, in which a person is presumed to be a citizen provided that he or she is born within the territorial limits of the Free State, and naturalization, a process in which an immigrant applies for citizenship and is accepted. The 1936 requirements for naturalization as a Oranje Free State citizen depend on whether or not one is the spouse or civil partner of an Oranjean citizen.
An applicant who is a spouse or civil partner of a Oranjean citizen must:
-hold “indefinite leave to remain” status in the Free State
-have lived legally in the Free State for three years
-been outside of the Free State no more than 90 days during the one-year period prior to filing the application.
-show sufficient knowledge of life in the Free State , attending combined Afrikaans language and citizenship classes. Proof of this must be supplied with one's application for naturalisation. Those aged 65 or over may be able to claim exemption.
-meet specified Afrikaans language competence standards.
For those not spouses or civil partners of Oranjean citizens the requirements are:
-at least eight years legal residence in the Free State
-been outside of the Free State no more than 90 days during the one-year period prior to filing the application.
-indefinite leave to remain or equivalent must have been held for 12 months
-the applicant must intend to continue to live in the Free State or work overseas for the Free State government or a Free State corporation or association.
-the same language and knowledge of life in the Free State standards apply as for those married to Oranjean citizens
All applicants for naturalisation must be of "good character". Naturalisation is at the discretion of the State Secretary but is normally granted if the requirements are met.
1936 Census – Eligible Adult Males - Age 19+ - for Conscription & Voting purposes
Majority Groups:
Oranjean (Boer, “Wit” and “Bruin” Afrikaners, Griqua) – 1,494,108 (50.82%)
Sotho – 356,034 (12.11%)
Shona – 297,234 (10.11%)
Nguni – 279,300 (9.5%)
Tonga – 138,180 (4.7%)
Minority & Immigrant Groups:
Portuguese – 82,319 (2.8%) (entire group to be granted full citizenship in 1938)
British (Australian, Canadian, Cape British, English, Kiwi [NZ], Scottish, Welsh) – 55,860 (1.9%)
German (North, South) - 44,072 (1.49%)
Tswana – 41,160 (1.4%)
Indian (Awadhi, Bengali Hindus, Gujariti, Kannadigas, Maghrebi, Manipuri, Marathi) – 37,728 (1.28%)
French – (French, French African, French Canadian) 35,280 (1.2%)
Bushmen/African Minors – 27,311 (0.92%)
Zulu – 17,429 (0.59%)
Makua – 5,599 (0.19%)
Russian – 4,751 (0.16%)
Walloons – 4,743 (0.16%)
Chinese (Manchu, Yao) – 3,231 (0.10%)
Sena – 2,771 (0.09%)
Spanish – 2,395 (0.08%)
Bakongo – 2,123 (0.07%)
Danish – 1,179 (0.04%)
Southern Italian – 1,067 (0.03%)
Irish – 944 (0.03%)
Moluccan (Nuaulu, Manusela) – 703 (0.02%)
Ovimbundo – 700 (0.02%)
Flemish – 561 (0.01%)
Climate
The Free State experiences a continental climate, characterised by warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. Areas in the east experience frequent snowfalls, especially on the higher ranges, whilst the west can be extremely hot in summer. Almost all precipitation falls in the summer months as brief afternoon thunderstorms, with aridity increasing towards the west. The capital, Bloemfontein, experiences hot, moist summers and cold, dry winters frequented by severe frost.
Bloemfontein averages: January maximum: 31 °C (min: 15 °C), July maximum: 17 °C (min: -2 °C)
Chief Cities & Towns
African "Tuislande"
Communication & Transport
Largely owing to being centrally located in Southern Africa, between Durban and Kimberley - the Free State possesses an extensive network of railways. The railways are state owned and of the “Free State” or Indian gauge-5 ft. 6 in. Indian gauge was used as early as 1848 in the development of the Free State. A wider gauge is far superior for a variety of reasons. The railways may be divided into two systems, those connecting the entire Free State and those linking it to British possessions to the West and the South African Free State to Natal in the East and Capetown in the South.
The first Free State Line traverses the province from south to north, passing through Bloemfontein and Kroonstad, and enters the Transvaal at Viljoens Drift (331 m. from Norvals Pont), being continued thence to Pretoria. In 1885, two parallel lines were built from Bloemfontein running west to Kimberley, a small British province. A third line was built in the 1890’s towards Noordstad (Harare) in the Zambezi Province. Every eight to ten years, the Free State government would invest heavily in upgrading the rail lines to be at best on par with the British Rail services in neighboring provinces. In 1936 there were in all 5060 m. of railway open in the province.
Although limited in number there are a few well-kept “highway” roads connecting the large cities. There is also an extensive telegraphic and telephonic system and a well-organized postal service. There are only two main radio stations in the Free State.
Agriculture, Industry, & Mining
The Orange Free State is host to many industries including: liquor, wine, agriculture, luxury furniture & clothing, electric gear, fertilizer, and canned food. Currently over 529,000 people are employed in factories across the Free State.
Breakdown:
Agricultural: 49.8%
Industrial: 35.4%
Mining: 14.6%
Wool - 16.78%
Liquor - 15.74%
Grain: 15.22%
Fabric - 11.61%
Precious Metal Mining - 9.37%
Wine - 9.01%
Tobacco - 5.96%
Ammunition - 3.26%
Livestock - 2.83%
Iron - 2.82%
Coal - 2.45%
Regular Clothing - 2.34%
Electric Gear/Parts - 1.02%
Furniture - 0.85%
Fuel - 0.22%
Luxury Furniture - 0.20%
Fertilizer - 0.14%
Miscellaneous: .20%
Luxury Clothing - 0.06%
Foreign Affairs
Justice
The law of the Orange Free State is the Roman-Dutch law, in so far as it has been introduced into and is applicable to South Africa, and as amended by local acts. Pretoria is the seat of the High Court of the Oranje Free State and also of a provincial division of the same court. For judicial purposes the Free State is divided into twenty-one divisions, in each of which is a resident magistrate, who has limited civil and criminal jurisdiction. There are also special justices of the peace, having criminal jurisdiction in minor cases. The provincial court has jurisdiction in all civil and criminal matters, and is a court of appeal from all inferior courts. From it appeals can be made to the Appellate Division of the High Court. Criminal cases are tried before one judge and a jury of nine, who must give a unanimous opinion. Circuit courts are also held by judges of the provincial court.
Military
Total Available Forces: 216,000 including Regular Army & Kommando Reservists
Regular Army: 129,000
Free State Soldiers on march wearing the Austrian M1931 Stahlhelm // Free State soldier in battledress (flashy buttons/insignia removed)
Oranje-Vrystaat Leër:
Army Breakdown:
I Korps - 39,000
2 Armoured Regiments, 1 Guard Cuirassier Regiment, 2 Mounted Infantry Regiments, 4 Artillery Regiments, 2 Guard Infantry Regiments, 2 Engineer Regiments
II Korps - 45,000
2 Armoured Regiments, 1 Guard Cuirassier Regiment, 1 Mounted Infantry Regiment, 4 Artillery Regiments, 4 Guard Infantry Regiments, 2 Engineer Regiments, 1 Infantry Regiment
III Korps - 21,000
2 Armoured Regiments, 3 Artillery Regiments, 1 Guard Infantry Regiment, 1 Engineer Regiment
The Oranjean Free State Guard
The Guard (retaining the traditional name Vrij Staat Garde) is the highest honor in the Free State Army and the active troops constitute the majority of infantry. The Guard are split into two distinct groups: ceremonial and active troops. The ceremonial regiments embody a more elite status than other Free State units and maintain special rights, privileges, and traditions. The Free State guard has always allowed all persons regardless of race, creed, or color into its ranks.
MOTTO:
Sterkte, Eer, Eenheid
Bloemfontein Garde – 15,000 men
1ste Transvaalse Staatsartillerie
1ste Guard Cavalerie Cuirassier
3e Guard Cavalerie Cuirassier
1ste Artillerie-Korps van Oranje Vrijstaat
1ste Republikeinse Garde
Ceremonial soldiers & duties:
-Ceremonial Regiments: 1ste, 2e, 3e, 4e Guard Cavalerie Cuirassier, 1ste Artillerie-Korps van Oranje Vrijstaat, 1ste Republikeinse Garde, 1ste Pretorian Garde
-Guarding important public buildings in Bloemfontein such as the residence of the President of the Free State, the National Assembly, Nasionale Veteraan Hospital, and keeping public order in Bloemfontein.
-1ste Pretorian Garde Infanterie and the 2e Guard Cavalerie Cuirassier stationed at the High Court & Hall of Justice in Pretoria.
-4e Guard Cavalerie Cuirassier stationed in Noordstad
-Honor and security services for the highest national personalities and important foreign guests
-Support of local law enforcement forces
Korps Vesting Artillerie
The Fortress Artillery Corps is a reserve force drawn from the Kommando system to control and defend the “Inner Spine” network of forts and defensive positions. It formed in the 1870s after the Free State army persuaded the government to expand the Kommando system. After the formation of the High Command in 1896, the Free State government constructed and updated a vast network of fortresses, blockhouses, and defensive posts at key critical points throughout the country.
Army Air Corps
Free State Army-Air Corps Roundel
Gendarmerie
9,000