Paternoster, Western Cape

Province

Paternoster is a fishing village on the west coast of the Western Cape Province in South Africa. In 2011 the town had 1,971 inhabitants. Whether the place its Latin name Pater Noster ( German Our Father ) received since Portuguese sailors thanked us with a prayer, as here reached the safe country after their ship had sunk, or because he was named after a certain fish hook when fish is used to larger schools of fish, or for the name of a Dutch ship, today is no longer to be clarified with certainty.

About 90 percent of the inhabitants of the village are Khoikhoi, who live mainly on fishing. The predominant language is Afrikaans.

Economy

Main source of income is the lobster and hake fisheries (Merluccius capensis ) from November to April, as well as fishing for crayfish. In addition to the newly built cottages that are especially used by Capetonians weekend that characterize many whitewashed fishermen's houses the image of the village. Every afternoon you can watch the fishermen dock their small boats on the beach, to offer their catch, and people from all over the area come here to buy fresh fish.

The beach stretches along the Paternoster Bay and is bordered to the south by large, rounded boulders from the sea. In the village there are many places to stay, restaurants, art galleries and shops selling various crafts.

Attractions

In the nearby Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, one can observe seabirds and see especially in the spring many endemic flowers. Here is also the Cape Columbine Lighthouse. It was built in 1936 and is one of the key landmarks for ships on the west coast of South Africa. Accommodation and tours in the spire are offered.