Wynberg, Cape Town

Wynberg is a southern suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It is situated between Plumstead and Kenilworth. It is a main transport hub for the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.

History

In 1683 land belonging to one of the Freeburgers, whose farms along the Liesbeek River supplied the Dutch East India Company, was sold to Herman Weeckens. The farm was named De Oude Wjinbergh (Old Wine Mountain). The Cape's rough seas in the winter months led to a formal winter anchorage in 1743 where ships would dock at Simons' Baai (present day Simons Town). A wagon route linking Cape Town to Simons Town went over the hill adjasent to De Oude Wjinbergh estate.

When the British took control of the Cape settlement on 16 Sept 1795 the small farming area of Wynberg developed rapidly into a garrison town, as the British settled a large number of troops in the area. A notable settler was Alexander Tennant who built a house still standing, named Sonnebloem. At Wynberg the Dutch had earlier made a show of resistance, but they were soon driven from their post by the British.cite book | last = Clarke | first = Hewson | title = The History of the War, from the Commencement of the French Revolution to the Present Time, Vol 1 | publisher = T. Kinnersley | date = 1816 | location = London | pages = p. 172 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=EyAPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA172&as_brr=1&ei=JXiYR6y8LoSkiQHem8zZCA#PPA172,M1] Wynberg was a convenient half way point between Table Bay and False Bay and this led to a hub of commercial activity. The authorities had allotted places where large teams of oxen could be unyoked and graze which made this possible.cite book | last = Cunynghame | first = Arthur Augustus T. | title = An aide-de-camp's recollections of service in China, a residence in Hong Kong and visits to other islands in the China Sea (Vol 1) | publisher = Sanders and Otley | date = 1844 | location = London | pages = p. 42 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=f9cDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA41&as_brr=1&ei=JXiYR6y8LoSkiQHem8zZCA#PPA42,M1 ] The village provided farmers with an alternative to the market in Cape Town. As more farms were subdivided commercial and residential properties began to increase.cite book | last = Worden | first = Nigel | coauthors = E. Van Heyningen, Vivian Bickford-Smith | title = Cape Town: The Making of a City : an Illustrated Social History | publisher = Uitgeverij Verloren | date = 1998 | location = Cape Town | pages = pp. 283 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=ntsyoxWIB44C&pg=PA253&as_brr=3&ei=r-BsSMemCaayjAHkh_TgBQ&sig=ACfU3U01-M78kyrI0t2X6jBQ6oqy3mNB1g#PPA252,M1]

Tourist Attractions

Maynardville Park

Wynberg Park

Dutch Reform Church

Schools

Wynberg houses some of the finest schools in the country. Wynberg Boys' High School, nestled in the mountains above the main village is the second oldest school in South Africa having been established in 1841. It is located on the large famous Hawthornden Estate alongside the stately abode of His Highness Prince Labia. The school has thus played an integral part in the history of Wynberg. The current buildings in which the Junior School is housed are some of the most beautifully maintained Victorian buildings in Cape Town and were designed by acclaimed architect Sir Herbert Baker.There are two prominent all-girls schools in the area, Wynberg Girls School is located near the village whilst the Springfield Convent School is a highly respected exclusive Catholic school situated high above the village in close proximity to Wynberg Boys' High School.

References

External links

* [http://www.oldwynberg.co.za/ Unofficial website of Wynberg]