Bredasdorp, Bredasdorp

Bredasdorp at a glance

Like in the development of many other towns in South Africa, Bredasdorp originated when the Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1838 on the farm Langefontein. Michiel van Breda, the first mayor of Cape Town's Van Breda Estate, better known as Oranjezicht, had the Zoetendals Vallei farm and is also known as the father of South Africa's merino sheep industry after introducing the animals on his farm in 1817. The Overberg may legitimately be seen as the founding region of the wool industry. Today this area is still one of the most productive providers of wool with farmers who have stud sheep. In honour of the merino sheep, a merino statue has been erected at the entrance to Overberg Agri. Michiel van Bredas's residence was the Van Breda Estate, known as Oranjezicht. Van Breda and another leading personality, Pieter Voltelyn van der Byl, could not agree where the church should be built, and two towns, Bredasdorp and Napier, were established in 1838. Bredasdorp was the first town in South Africa with the suffix dorp added to it.

The beautiful Dutch Reformed Church and one of the last Cape churches built in Victorian-Gothic revival style, the second to stand on this site, was designed by architect Antonie de Wit. The arrangement can be described as transitional and progressive and was completed in 1912. The first church was erected in 1842 and enlarged in 1856. As in other buildings by de Wit, the church has features from other stylistic periods, such as the Renaissance panelling of the pulpit and the classical form of the louvervent over the crossing. The church served as the authority in town during the 1800's. The church was also responsible for approving liquor licences, where cattle watering-places were arranged, arable land and fodder were let, the production of bricks was negotiated, stands were sold, irrigation turns were arranged and reservoirs and drainage systems were planned. The Oude Sloot (a cement furrow running parallel to Kloof Street) and which still runs through town, was also constructed by the church. The old Anglican Church (now All Saints Church) was constructed in 1863. Church services and weddings are still conducted here today.

The pictorial and tranquil town, situated against the slopes of the Heuningberg, have kept its platteland feeling despite fairly rapid development in the town. The establishment of Denel's missile test range (OTB) and the SA Air Force's Test Flight and Development Centre (TFDC) in the mid-eighties near Arniston, accelerated the development of the town and most essential services are available in town.

Besides sheep farming, the town boasts agricultural activities such as wheat, canola, milk and indigenous fynbos cultivation. The Heuningberg Nature Reserve provides a panoramic view of Arniston, De Hoop, Struisbaai and Soetanysberg. It comprises over 800 hectares and various fynbos species (some endangered and some indigenous to the region). The Bredasdorp lily, indigenous to the region, flowers during April and May.

There are two hiking trails in the reserve; the white and yellow routes. The white trail, which includes the amazing Lot's Wife rock formation on Heuningberg, winds along the slopes of the Drinkwaterkloof to the watershed, after which it continues above Uitvlugkloof before meeting up with the yellow route. The yellow route contours around the northern slopes of Heuningberg to yet another rock formation, the Pulpit Rock, followed by an ascent to the plateau. Both trails offer incredible views not only across Bredasdorp but also of Arniston, De Hoop Nature Reserve and south to Struisbaai.