Philippolis is a small town in the Free State Province of South Africa. It was founded as a missionary outpost in 1823, making it the oldest settlement in the Free State. It was named after Dr. John Philip. Adam Kok II, a Griqua leader, settled here with his people in 1826 and was made the protector of the mission. Kok's son Adam Kok III and his followers later migrated across the Drakensberg mountains to settle in Kokstad. The writer and intellectual Sir Laurens van der Post was born in this town. Capital Bloemfontein Largest city Bloemfontein Area  - Total Ranked 3rd 129,480 km² Premier Beatrice Marshoff (ANC) Population   - 2001   - 1996   - Density Ranked 8th 2,706,776 2,633,504 21/km² (2001) Languages Sotho (62%) Afrikaans (14%) isiXhosa (9. ... 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search The Griqua are a subgroup of South Africas heterogeneous and multiracial Coloured people. ... 1826 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search Adam Kok III (16 October 1811 - 1875) was a leader of the Griqua people in South Africa. ... The Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains in Afrikaans) mountains are the highest in South Africa, ranging up to 3,482 m (11,422 ft) in height. ... Location of Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal Province Kokstad is a town in the Sisonke District of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. ... Sir Laurens Jan van der Post by Frances Baruch Sir Laurens Jan van der Post (aka Laurens van der Post) December 13, 1906 - December 16, 1996. ...