Portuguese-owned businesses, restaurants, greengrocers, takeaways and cafés have been a part of the Bloemfontein community for decades. Just think of well-known names like Westdene Fruiterers, Captain DoRegos and Loopy’s, to name a few.
Dr Derek de Bruyn, principal museum scientist at the National Museum in Bloemfontein, and his colleagues have been working on the Portuguese Project – collecting stories by interviewing Bloemfontein Portuguese families. These were all collected and printed to be shown as part of an exhibition opened by the consul general of Portugal in Johannesburg, Graça Fonseca, on Tuesday.
The exhibition, along with objects kindly made available on loan from members of the Portuguese community, is on exhibition at the Oliewenhuis Art Museum until Sunday, 17 November.
Few people realise that the official diplomatic ties between Portugal and Bloemfontein have their origin in 1870, when Bloemfontein was the capital of the independent Orange Free State Republic.
The Portuguese crown prince Dom Luís Filipe visited Bloemfontein in 1907, testifying to the level of friendship that existed from early on between Portugal and the city.
After the Second World War, the economic situation in Portugal was dire and many men came to South Africa and settled in the country, with families following them here. These businessmen contributed to building Bloemfontein to be the city it is today.
Today, there is a community of around 200 families living in the city.
After its time at Oliewenhuis, the exhibition will be moved to the National Museum and be on display there from 21 November to 20 December; then it will be at the Bainsvlei Public Library from 15 January to 14 February; and lastly it will be on display at the Fichardtpark Public Library from 3 to 31 March.
