Wepener, on the banks of Jammersbergspruit, a tributary of the Caledon River, is a small town 120 km south-east of Bloemfontein in the Free State province of South Africa. It was founded in 1867 and named after Louw Wepener, the leader of the Boers in their war with the Basotho chief Moshoeshoe I in 1865. Louw Wepener was killed in 1865 while trying to storm Moshoeshoe's stronghold of Thaba Bosiu. The town formed its first management board in 1875. During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), a British garrison of 2000 men under Colonel E. H. Dalgety was attacked by General Christiaan de Wet at Jammersdrift on the Caledon River. The siege lasted 17 days, until British reinforcements arrived on April 25, 1900 and the Boer forces were forced to retreat. Today the town is a commercial centre for a mixed farming area. Crops include wheat and maize while cattle ranching, sheep rearing and dairy farming are important for the economy of the town. This town is also close to the Van Rooyens’ Gate Border Post between South Africa and Lesotho.

From Bloemfontein, take the R702 in a south-easterly direction past Dewetsdorp (About 80 km) to Wepener (About 120 km).

ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation options in the town are very limited, well known is the Lord Fraser Guesthouse, otherwise visitors will have to stay in the nearby towns.

FOOD:
There are restaurants and takeaway scattered all over the town.

FUEL:
There is a Total fuel stop, Caltex fuel stop and BP Shell for refuelling in the town.

INFORMATION AND POSTAL SERVICES:
There is no tourism office in the town, visitors can enquire more at the Naledi Local Municipality. There is a post Office in for all the postal and courier services and banking as well. There is a public library in the town where visitors can also get information about the town.

MECHANICAL REPAIRS/ TOW IN SERVICES :
At the Caltex fuel stop trading as OXD Motors along Piet Retief Street, they have a workshop for vehicle repair services, contact Tel : +27(0)57 733 0878.

MONEY:
For financial transactions there is an FNB bank and ATMs, ABSA ATM and Post Office as well.

HOSPITAL/HEALTH CARE/PHARMACY:
There is no hospital in town but there is a Wepener Municipality Clinic, Tel : +27(0)51 583 1300. Visit the Wepener Pharmacy along Van Riet Street for pharmaceutical needs. Tel : +27(0)51 583 1416.

POLICE:
Police contact added is for the SAPS branch in Wepener town. Emergency contact is 10111.

SHOPPING:
General dealers and basic grocery shops and clothing shops are scattered around the town.

TRANSPORT:
Public transport is available with daily taxi browse and a railway station for train to and from the nearby towns.
The road between Wepener and Zastron is not very good, many potholes - some work has been done in patches - but its advisable not to drive this road at night!

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