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Arniston lies on the beautiful Overberg coast, a pleasant two hours'
drive from Cape Town. This stretch of coastline is still an unspoilt
and little known section of South Africa, just waiting to be discovered.
The southern coast of Africa was famous as a sea route to the East
and the number of wrecks in the waters off this treacherous coastline
pays tribute to this. The town is named after the British transport
ship, The Arniston, which sunk off the coast in 1815 after
breaking up on the needle sharp rocks of the Agulhas Reef. 372 people
drowned and only 6 survived, a tragic loss of life only surpassed
by that of The Titanic. |
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Before the arrival of the first European settlers,
it is believed that the locals, or Khoisan people (Hottentots/Bushmen)
lived in the area as Strandlopers (beach combers). However
their contact with the Europeans proved fatal as a result of the smallpox
and measles epidemics these travellers brought with them.
Arniston is the only town in South Africa with two official names as the town is also known as Waenhuiskrans, an Afrikaans word meaning
wagon house cliff. So called because of the nearby cave carved into
the limestone cliffs which is large enough to turn a wagon with a
full team of oxen.
The area located next to the harbour is Kassiesbaai, which is historically
home to Arniston's fishing community. After much dispute over land
rights, the picturesque little village is virtually preserved intact
with its rightful owners and provides a reminder of the Arniston of
yesteryear.
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