- Province: Western Cape
- Central Karoo
- Coordinates:32°21′S 22°35′E
- Area:56.5 km2
- Municipality: Beaufort West
Beaufort West is located in the central Karoo of the Western Cape, roughly 400 km northeast of Cape Town. The town lies on the N1 highway and serves as a hub for the surrounding semi-arid farming areas. It is positioned near the Great Karoo plains, with limited water resources but wide open skies, making it ideal for fossil hunting, birding, and stargazing. The town’s strategic location along major transport routes historically linked it to Cape Town, Bloemfontein, and beyond.
History of Beaufort West
Original gangster town
In the late 1700s, Cape Town authorities were indifferent to the lawlessness in the vast interior of their colony. Gunrunning syndicates and cheap liquor crossed the ill-defined northern boundary of the Cape Colony through the Karoo, thriving in the lawless environment. It wasn’t until the British took over the Cape after 1805 that law and order began to be established.
Establishment of Beaufort West
Beaufort West, originally just Beaufort, was established in 1818 on the farm Hooivlakte (Hay Flats), granted to Godliep Rudolph Opperman in 1760. The Dutch Reformed Church parish was established in 1825. The town’s name was later changed to Beaufort West to avoid confusion with other towns named Beaufort.
The Role of Law and Order
The town was named after Henry Somerset, the fifth Duke of Beaufort, father of Lord Charles Henry Somerset, Governor of the Cape Colony, in 1818. Lieutenant John Baird was sent to the northern areas of the Cape Colony as its first magistrate to maintain law and order.
The Local Jail and Main Street
Built in 1873, the local jail was constructed on the main street in the heavy Neo-Classic style of the mid-Victorian period. Its first jailer, an African-American, was himself jailed for negligence; he escaped, never to be seen again. The main street was named in honour of Sir Rufane Donkin, who acted as Governor from 1820 to 1821.
Agricultural Prosperity and Development
The introduction of Merino sheep marked the beginning of prosperity for the town. John Molteno, a young Anglo-Italian, was one of the first Merino farmers and founded the town’s first bank in 1854. He later became the first Prime Minister of the Cape. Beaufort West became the first municipality in South Africa in 1837 (even before Cape Town). The town was linked to the telegraph line in 1875. The arrival of the railroad in 1880 further boosted the town’s prosperity, making it a key locomotive depot and marshalling yard. It was electrified in 1961.
Environmental Challenges and Fossils
Beaufort West, a water-scarce area, faced challenges in managing its sparse water resources. However, the town has experienced severe floods, notably in 1869 and 1941, the latter of which caused widespread damage but resulted in only one fatality. The area is also rich in fossils, with many significant finds.
Local Community and Contributions
When Beaufort West was established, Black and Coloured people, mostly descendants of the Griqua and Khoi Khoi, moved closer and lived among the settler community for almost 60 years before a township was established. Sophie Grey, wife of Bishop Robert Grey, noted that the local Black community built the beautiful stone kraals in the area.
WEATHER IN BEAUFORT WEST TODAY
Browse businesses and places to visit in Beaufort west
Things to see and do in Beaufort West
- De Jagers pass
- Tour Mandelenkosi township on a bicycle – 078 965 8413
- The sidewalks are planted with pear trees dating back to the 1830s.
- ASWD & Decti RTB Cross Country League- 082 907 1296
- Rock engravings at the complex at Nelspoort. Tel. 071-6142051
- Karoo Birding Safaris, Tel. 083-7247916
- Karoo Erdvark trail
- British Blockhouse dating from the Boer War
- Ancient gong rocks were hammered for a resounding boom by the local Khoi. 023-4161648 ( info)
- The clear Karoo skies are great for stargazing, see the spectacular Milky Way.
- Donkey Cart Rides at Olive Grove Guest Farm Tel: 023 414 3397
- The Neo-Gothic Dutch Reformed church, where Christian Barnard’s father was the preacher. This is now a museum where the history of apartheid is depicted
- Beaufort West Town Hall, built in 1886, is now a museum housing the Chris Barnard collection. Chris Barnard was the pioneer of heart surgery,
- Get a brochure from the tourism office for a self-guided heritage tour around the town -.023 415 1488
- Beaufort West Agricultural show held in March 023 414 4905 / 0827771315
- Horse riding, quad bike riding, and mountain bike trails. The Vale Karoo Farm, Tel. 082-9687991
- The Bulkraal picnic spot is in the Karoo National Park. There are braai and ablution facilities, and a clean swimming pool for day visitors.
- Beautiful Victorian buildings.
- OldGirls public school
The postcode for Beaufort West is 6970, and the license plate prefix is CZ
Useful Numbers
Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities in and around Beaufort West
- Police: 023 414 8800
- Traffic department: 023 414 8166 / 023 414 8150 / 8157
- Fire: 023 414 8176
- Water: 023 414 8100
- Electricity: 023 414 8100
- Ambulance: 10177
- Post office: 023 414 2201
- Home affairs: 023 414 8360 /61 or 066 290 3247
- Library: regional 023 414 3511 / Pieter Jacobs ave023 414 8113 15 Church st
- Closest hospital: 023 414 8200
- Pharmacy; Nuweld Pharm 023 414 2151
- SPCA: 072 847 7312
- Schools: Beaufort West secondary 023 414 2386
Sentraal High School 023 414 2552
HM Dlikidla primary 023 417 3134
AH Barnard 023 414 3731
Mandlenkosi Secondary School 023 415 2400
Beaufort West Rustdene 023 414 3731 Primary
Beaufort West voorbereiding primary 023 414 2457 - Museum; Chris Barnard museum 89 Donkin St 023 415 2308
- Tourism; info centre at 59 Donkin Street 023-4151488 / 087-7008210
- Local newspaper: Die Courier: 023-4142615
Other towns in the Beaufort West Municipality are Merweville, Murraysberg, and Nelspoort
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