A once key airport in South Africa ripped apart brick by brick

The once-bustling Thaba ‘Nchu Airport, opened in 1988 as one of Bophuthatswana’s flagship infrastructure projects, now stands as a stark symbol of a local economy that has long since stalled.

When the airport was launched during the Bantustan’s eleventh “independence” anniversary, it was marketed as a gateway for international and domestic visitors.

Its presence helped power a brief tourism boom, drawing travellers to nearby attractions such as the Naledi Sun Hotel and Casino.

But those venues shut their doors years ago, taking with them hundreds of jobs and the vibrancy that once defined this Free State town.

“There used to be so many tourists who would come here. Those days are long gone. Now we operate like a ghost town,” said lifelong resident Liboko Mabede, who worked in hospitality during Thaba ‘Nchu’s peak years.

DA councillor Raynie Klaasen recalls the airport’s heyday: “People from all over the world used to come here… They’d fly from OR Tambo straight to Thaba ‘Nchu and head to the hotel.”

In May 2024, Mangaung Mayor Gregory Nthatisi told The Business Weekly that the municipality was developing plans to revive the dormant airport, including exploring a solar-energy project on the site.

“We are also looking closer to that airport… to generate energy to help service our people,” he said.

Thaba ‘Nchu, home to roughly 56,000 people, lies within the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.

The town traces its roots to the arrival of the Barolong under Chief Moroka II in the 1830s and was formally established in 1873.

Under apartheid, it was absorbed into the Bophuthatswana Bantustan, a move that shaped its governance and development trajectory for decades.

After 1994, the town was reintegrated into the Free State and later merged with Bloemfontein and Botshabelo following the 2011 municipal elections.

The site today

Earlier this year, we travelled to Thaba ‘Nchu to see some of the progress, or lack thereof, of the structure, which was once a sign of pride and economic vitality.

The roads leading to the former airport which served Thaba ‘Nchu are riddled with potholes, making for a bumpy ride.

Upon arrival, after nearly missing the airport due to overgrown vegetation, one sees the ruins of what was once a thriving tourist destination that is now in a desolate state.

Neglect and vandalism have caused immense damage. No windows or roofing remain. Grass and trees sprout on the concrete, indicating years of carelessness and neglect.

The abandoned grounds are now a hub of criminality, with a dumped body found on the location during the visit.

Many factors contributed to the airport’s collapse, but critics mainly cite “poor leadership and a lack of direction.”

DA councillor Lebohang Mohlamme said, “The airport once symbolised pride and prosperity for the community.”

“The closure of the airport, due to mismanagement, is unacceptable as the municipality struggles with an unemployment crisis,” he added.

“For me, it feels like a concerted effort to destroy anything that came pre-1994. Even if there were some good things, like the airport, they want it gone,” said Klaasen.

Stakeholders are calling on the government to prioritise infrastructure maintenance to attract investment and restore economic growth.

More images of the Thaba Nchu airport today