If you like mountaineering, Stellenbosch is one of the best places to live. This might explain why many street names in Stellenbosch are named after the mountains. Piekesig Street, Uitsig Street, Botmaskop Way, Simonsberg Street, Bergzicht Street. Am I ready for the mountains? Start by hiking one of the well marked Cape Nature routes in Jonkershoek nature reserve.Read more about Stories of the mountains – Stellenbosch[…]
The jogging/cycling trail along the Eerste river recently got a new sign post. What is koloniesland and why the name? The short answer is that ‘colonies lant‘, as it used to be spelled, means the same than ‘public land’ or ‘state property’ The flow of the Eerste River Stellenbosch’s first ‘municipality’ or local authority wasRead more about Why the name ‘Koloniesland’ in Stellenbosch?[…]
Stellenbosch has 4 Libertas stories Oude Libertas is a well-known amphitheater with a popular slow market. Klein Libertas is a theater complex that recently burnt down. Libertas Street is located in the neighbourhood of Karindal. Libertas Parva is a series of historic buildings in Dorp Street. Interesting facts about each: Oude Libertas Oude Libertas was oneRead more about The story of Libertas[…]
The peaceful neighbourhood of Karindal is one of the most beautiful in Stellenbosch, and also the closest to Jonkershoek. Located next to the Eerste river and the ‘hangbrug’, it is an ideal area for walking the dog or simply getting some fresh air. The two cul de sacs, Bergvliet and Otterkuil are here as well. TheRead more about Who was Karin of Karindal?[…]
Stellenbosch’s first teacher was Sybrand Mancadan, but he wasn’t a schoolteacher in the same sense as today. Controversial figure Although Mancadan was schooled in Theology, he was expelled from ministry in Friesland (a province in Holland) due to his indecent behaviour. Thereafter he was sent per ship to the small settlement, Stellenbosch, asRead more about The story of Sybrand Mancadan[…]
Last week I explained where the names Murray-, Neethling- en Hofmeyer street originated. Today I look at Bosman’s crossing, an area on the Western periphery of Stellenbosch. The exact origin of the name Bosman’s crossing is debated, some reckon it is named after a certain Mr Daniel Bosman who owned a brandy distillery next to the river. OthersRead more about How did Bosman’s crossing get its name?[…]
Murraystraat, a beautiful street on campus, is named after John Murray. It leads to the entrance of the US botanical gardens. JOHN MURRAY (1826 – 1882) John Murray might easily be confused with his younger brother Andrew Murray, who started the Huguenot College in Wellington. Both brothers made an big impact in South Africa as theologians.Read more about Who was Murray of Murray Street, Stellenbosch?[…]
Where does the name Merriman Street come from? John X Merriman was a British politician who became Prime Minister of the previous Cape Colony in 1908. Here he is seen sitting on the stoep with his wife, friends, servants and dogs. He wasn’t a life long Stellenbosch resident, but is often associated with theRead more about Who was Merriman of Merriman street in Stellenbosch?[…]
Van Riebeeck street lies between Plein street and Jonkershoekweg. One of Stellenbosch’s heritage writers, Mrs Annie Hofmeyr, wrote a book about the street, tracing its history house by house. Different names She explains that Van Riebeeck street has had 3 different names. Names like ‘church street’ and ‘Andringa’ are much older (read about themRead more about The story of Van Riebeeck street[…]
What do the four earliest streets in Stellenbosch tell us about what people valued at the time? Dorp street – the unofficial first Dorp street, ‘de wapad naar de Caab’, joined the Cape to Stellenbosch and was one of the first roads to develop. This was the main trade route for farmers wanting to sell wine, wheatRead more about The earliest streets in Stellenbosch[…]
