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When "di wijdgelegen colonie van
Graaff-Reijnet" (the far off colony of Graaff-Reinet) was established in
1786, the district covered all the territory from the Gamtoos River in
the West to the Great Fish River in the East, and from the Indian Ocean
to a few kilometres south of the Gariep (Orange River). This was the fourth
district to be proclaimed in South Africa and resultantly received a "drostdy"
or seat of local government. |
Named after Cornelius Jacob van de Graaf
and his wife Reynet it is one of two towns in our country named after Dutch
governors. For years it was a certain stopover for every traveller to the
interior. It has experienced four changes of supreme government (including
the proclamation of the so-called "Republic of Graaff-Reinet" and at times
it has been the focal point of insurgence, political tension and border
wars along its eastern frontier. It was visited and described by such early
travellers as Barrow, Burchell, Lichtenstein and Moffat. Later in the mid-nineteenth
century it was one of the starting points for the exodus of the Voortrekkers.
From the late eighteenth century
right up to the arrival of the railway, a century later, Graaff-Reinet
was a bustling trading centre, and in 1865 there were sixty four recognised
public 'outspans'. These were essential to maintain the oxwagon transport
system, as places to rest, water and feed the oxen. Inns were established
at many of the 'outspans' for the convenience of travellers. Today you
will find a good selection of Guesthouses, Hotels and Bed & Breakfast
establishments to suit your needs.
Cradled in a crook of the Sundays
River, to the approaching traveller, Graaff-Reinet seems like a verdant
oasis in the stark surrounding landscape, Yet, practically every visitor
remarks on its unique old-world character.
Graaff-Reinet is home to more National
Monuments than any other town or city in South Africa. Round every corner
a piece of our history is revealed to interested visitors. A short stroll
down Cradock Street will reveal more than 50 of these historic homes.
Take a walk down Parsonage Street
in the centre of town. On the western end is the seat of the former Dutch
authority of the Cape (Drostdy Hotel), while facing it at the eastern end
lies the erstwhile ecclesiastical power. Now known as Reinet House Museum,
it forms part of a museum complex of four historic buildings. The imposing
stone structure of the Grootkerk at the northern end of Church Street overlooks
the commercial hub of the town.
You may notice that the system of
irrigation furrows is still in operation. These were first laid out in
the 1820's by the Landdrost, Andries Stockenström. Extensive vineyards
existed at that time, and Graaff-Reinet was well-known as a wine and brandy
producing area. Here ostrich farming had a vigorous start and the Camdeboo
farming region became popular with the Cape Town butchers long before the
town was actually established. Today it is well known for its excellent
farmland and breeding studs of sheep, goats and cattle.
The mohair industry also had its
origin here. The first sale of imported angora stud goats in South Africa
took place in Graaff-Reinet in 1857. Through selective breeding the Eastern
Cape angora has become famous.
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Graaff-Reinet is uniquely surrounded
by the Karoo Nature Reserve which is a mecca for hikers, photographers
and students of flora and fauna.
Included in this reserve is the famous
and awe-inspiring Valley of Desolation as well as the peak Uitkyk, from
which paragliding enthusiasts from all over the world come to share the
thermals of the vast Karoo skies with the resident Black Eagles. |
For sports enthusiasts Graaff-Reinet
offers a wide range of activities including bowls, clay pigeon shooting,
horse riding trails, mountain-biking, squash, tennis and yachting. There
is also a very competitive nine hole golf course with excellent greens
for the golf enthusiasts.
We bid you a warm Graaff-Reinet welcome,
and trust that you will enjoy your "adventurescapes" here. |
