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 in the heavy Neo-Classic style of the mid-Victorian period on the main street. Its first jailer, an African-American, was jailed for negligence and 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. The arrival of the railroad in 1880 further boosted the town’s prosperity, making it a key locomotive depot and marshalling yard.

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 causing widespread damage but 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 Grikwas 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.