The Bloemfontein Convention is signed

Date: 23 Feb 1854
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The Republic of the Orange Free State was established by the signing of the Bloemfontein Convention (also called the Orange River Convention) between Sir George Clerk (for Britain) and twenty-five 'representatives of the people' in Green Lodge, Bloemfontein. The convention guaranteed the independence of the territory between the Orange and Vaal Rivers. In addition to the declaration of independence, the document also contained clauses regarding treaties with indigenous people, prohibition of slavery, and regulating trade.

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How we know this

01Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds) (1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 2, p. 373.
02Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). The Bloemfontein Convention is signed. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010988

South African History Online (2011) 'The Bloemfontein Convention is signed', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010988 (Accessed: 21 July 2026).

South African History Online, The Bloemfontein Convention is signed [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010988, (accessed 21 July 2026).

"The Bloemfontein Convention is signed." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010988. Accessed 21 July 2026.

South African History Online. "The Bloemfontein Convention is signed." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010988.