Country South Africa Language spoken Sotho Area 7.5 km2 | District Fezile Dabi Founded 1876 | |
Koppies is a small town (railway station) situated near the Renoster River in the Free State province of South Africa.
Map of Koppies
The town is situated 63 km north-east of Kroonstad, 48 km west of Heilbron and 42 km south-south-east of Parys. It was laid out as a township in 1910 and became a municipality in 1926. Formerly Kopjes, meaning hills, the name is derived from that of the farm on which it was laid out, Honingkopjes, Dutch for honey hills.
General De Wet donated his Farm "Rooipoort" to be set up for under-privileged whites in the form of a few morgen irrigation land, and then a few morgen "dry" land for cultivating maize, etc. By the time the people got out of the war they were very poor, and were supplied with a few eggs and a paraffin lamp/hatcher for the eggs.
By demand/pressure of General De Wet, the Koppies Dam was constructed to supply water for irrigation, and work to the local people who needed it badly. During the 1960s, the wall of the dam was raised to where it is today.
By the time politics got out of hand at the turn of the century, the people decided to take up arms in a rebellion against the ruling government. The decision was made in the old NG-church.