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This first issue of its kind of the Bloemfontein Bantu and Coloured people's Directory is placed in the hands of the general public with every confidence, and at the same time with a view to giving the public and the insight of the general progress made by the Bloemfontein Bantu and Coloured people commercially, socially and economically and the high standard of sportsmanship and music that has been attained by them within the last thirty years, i.e., since after the Anglo-Boer war when the Government of the country through provincial and Municipal bodies begun to focus attention on the general administration of Native Affairs and the steady improvement of their housing, sanitary and health conditions of an unbiased mind one might as well pay the highest tribute to the manager of the municipal Native Administration Department, Mr. J.R. Cooper for the able manner in which he has assisted the Bantu and coloured people, indeed he has played a noble and masterly part in the kind considerations of responsible local authorities for the laying out and erection of the Y.M.C.A. Primary Higher, Bantu. Community hall, Dispensary, Advisory Board Room and location Post Office buildings as well as the healthiest spot of the locations -- the shower baths. Indeed, these and other undertakings were things never dreamt of by any one of the Bantu or Coloured people thirty years ago. The City farthers (Town council) the Native Affairs committee including several other European men and women who have the general welfare of our Bantu and coulored people at heart all deserve a word of appreciation for their services and counsel of the fullest and the fullest measure of support towards the educational advancement of the Bantu and coloured communities.

The Bishop of Bloemfontein, Dr. Carey, who has left this country and who this country and who with persistent earnestness almost at the risk of hurting the susceptibilities of some of our European friends who do not see the need for any sympathy for the African people, championed the moral cause of the Bantu and Coloured people, deserves a word of praise. He has done much moulding of spiritual and moral life of those young men associated with the Y.M.C.A. and other Christian societies and has openly identified himself with several other public endeavors towards the improvement of the African people. The Publisher wishes to thank him in this note of reference to the publication every item of the publication been obtained with utmost care and the method of compilation has been employed in an effort to secure accuracy in the present volume. While absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed the publisher has every reason to believe that the Directory will meet a long-felt want.

To those who have given me every possible assistance (and in particular messrs. James Khaile and John Morgan), I beg to tender my sincerest acknowledgements for, without their ready willingness to furnish me with the information necessary for the completion of the Directory this publication would not0be practicable.

The general index is specifically arranged--according to the humble opinion of the publisher--in order of merit and not alphabetically.

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