Welkom is a city located in the Free State province of South Africa. It is situated approximately 140 kilometres (90 mi) northeast of Bloemfontein, which serves as the provincial capital.
The city is known by several names, including Circle City, City Within A Garden, Mvela, and Matjhabeng. Its Sesotho name, Matjhabeng, translates to "where nations meet." This name originates from the historical migrant labour system, which brought people from various countries—including Lesotho, Malawi, and Mozambique—to work in the gold fields' mines.