The purpose of this festival, which was established in 1976, is to showcase the rose, which is known as the queen flower in the city.

According to the Mangaung Metro’s Executive Mayor, Olly Mlamleli, the festival was revived as a tourist attraction after she came into office, and unifies all cultures.

“This welcomes people to the City of Roses, Cheetahs and Bloemfontein Celtics. After 1994, it went slow, but as soon as I became executive mayor, I prayed to resuscitate the festival,” says Mlamleli.

She also says that roses enhance the city, and they have planted all different types of roses at the City Hall after the fire earlier this year. “There are special roses to be planted here as part of the restoration of the City Hall as a national Heritage Site,” says Mlamleli.

According to the organisers of this festival, the decision taken years ago to create this unique festival have placed Bloemfontein on the flower map in the minds of people (residents and visitors) and made it a destination of choice for visitors from around the world.  Thousands of local and international visitors visit Bloemfontein every year to experience the colourful festivities of the Mangaung Rose Festival.

Among the people at the parade were schoolkids, marching bands, cheerleaders, Miss Bloemfontein Rose, the Celtic soccer team, and government officials.

Mlamleli says festivals like these contribute to the local economy and social cohesion.

Nomaqhawe Mtebele and Josca Human/OFM News

Follow this link to the Festival Weekend's programme.