Riversdale

Riversdale is named after Sir Harry Rivers, a government official

Attractions

Also see the neighbouring towns

Riversdale (population about 7000) is on the N2 between Albertinia and Mossel Bay to the east, and Heidelberg and Swellendam to the west. Ladismith is on the R323 to the north, and Still Bay on the R305 to the south. Cape Town is about 300Km to the west on the N2, and Port Elizabeth about 470Km to the east.

The town is on the Agulhas Coastal Plain to the west of the Vet River, south of the Langeberg Mountains, and about 40Km in a straight line from the Indian Ocean.

Some nearby seaside places to visit are Still Bay , Jongensfontein, Witsand and Gourtismond.

San rock art

San rock art can be viewed in the area.

Architecture

The house on the farm Zeekoegat (the 5th oldest farm in the district) was built in 1795 and can be visited. The farm is northeast of the town.

Steam train

There is a Class 7 locomotive (SAR #970) steam locomotive exhibited in the town, dating from the late 1800s. During the years 1892-1893 some 38 of these locomotives were used.

Nature

Sleeping Beauty is a mountain peak overlooking the town.

The Korinte-Vet Dam (or Korente River Dam, or Korentepoort Dam) is about 15Km northwest of the town, and offers watersport.

The Klein Karoo Nature Reserve at Ladismith and the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area north of Heidelberg are both less than 1 hour's drive from Riversdale.

Garcias Pass

Garcias Pass is on the R323 to Ladismith. The old Toll House can be seen on the pass.

Werner Frehse Nature Reserve

The Werner Frehse Nature Reserve is just south of the town. Game that can be veiwed in this reserve are: bontebok, gemsbok, eland.

Things to do

Hiking, hang gliding, fishing and water sports, 4 x 4 trails, absailing, mountian biking.

History

The San people are the earliest known humans living in the area.

In the 1600s the area around Riversdale was inhabited by the Hessequa Koi tribe. In the 1660s, when the first Europeans explored the area, Goukou was the leader of the tribe. The first European in the area may have been Hieronymus Crüse, who sent by Jan van Riebeeck in 1667. In the 1680s Izak Schrijver led the next expedition. By 1727 five cattle outposts were established in the area.

The first farm to be established in the area, also in 1727, was De Plattekloof, then owned by Jurgen Potgieter. Other early farms were: Assegaaibosch, 1728; Welgevonden, 1730; Hollebak, 1733; Doornkraal and Zeekoegat in 1746.

In the early days the farm Zeekoegat served as overnight site for explorers to the east. Among some of the more prominent visitors to the farm were: Governor van Plettenberg (1778), Commissioner De Mist and Dr. Lichtenstein (1803); Sir Harry Smith (1815).

In 1837 the Dutch Reformed Church was established on the farm Doornkraal, owned by Hermanus Steyn. The old farmhouse was converted into a church and the rest of the farm was divided into plots.

At the time the Civil Commissioner of Swellendam was Sir Harry Rivers, and the town was named after him. The community suggested Riversville, but he preferred Riversdale.

The town was proclaimed on 30th August 1838.

CJ Langenhoven

CJ Langenhoven went to school in Riversdale for the final two years.

CJ Langenhoven (1873 – 1932)

He was a prolific author of the Afrikaans language - his Collected Works comprising of 16 volumes - and wrote the words for the original South African Anthem Die Stem, written in 1918. He spent a lot of energy to get official recognition for the Afrikaans language.

Climate

Ecosystem

Aloes flower between May and June. Agathosma grows inthe area and produce an antiseptic aroma which is very prominent at certain times of the year.

Economy

Farming: Wild flowers (Proteas, Ericas) for exporting, honeybush tea. Dairy. Wool, mohair. Fruit, grapes, wheat, grain ostriches.

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