Napier, Western Cape

Province

Napier is a small town in the municipality of Cape Agulhas, Overberg District, Western Cape Province in South Africa. The city is located 16 km west of Bredasdorp and 58 kilometers southeast of Caledon in 111 meters above sea level. In 2011 the town had 4,214 inhabitants.

History

1833 decided the Dutch Reformed Church in Swellendam, to plant a new church to meet the needs of the community members who lived in the southern sectors of the community. The location of the new building church was hotly debated. A party preferred Breda and the farm Langfontein, while the other party proposed the farm Klipdrift. Could not find a compromise, and so two new villages developed almost simultaneously, only 16 kilometers apart.

Langfontein was bought for 850 pounds and the first settlements in the new village of Bredasdorp were sold on 16 May 1838.

The farm Klipdrift was bought for £ 1,000, and sold the first settlements on 12 April 1838. On 6 March 1840, the newly founded village of Napier, in honor of Sir George Thomas Napier, Governor of the Cape Colony from 1837 to 1844, named.

The population grew steadily, from 448 inhabitants ( 1875) about 539 inhabitants ( 1891) about 761 inhabitants ( 1904) to over 4,000 residents.

Attractions

• The Dutch Reformed Church and the Feeshuis were built in the shape of a Greek cross. The Feeshuis is one of the oldest buildings in Napier and was used as slave quarters from 1810 to 1820.
• The largest sundial in the Cape was built in 1965 by Danie du Toit. It is located near the municipal offices.
• Rose Boats & Toy Museum with handmade tin toys