History of Bredasdorp

• Province: Western Cape
• Overberg
• Coordinates; 34.5385° S, 20.0569° E
• Area 25.15 km2
• Municipality: Cape Agulhas

Bredasdorp is one of the two termini of the railway line from Cape Town. The town is the commercial centre for 4000 square kilometres. It was established partly due to a dispute between Michael van Breda and Pieter Voltelyn van der Bijl. They could not agree on the site on which to build a church. Michael van Breda wanted it to be built on his farm, Langefontein, and Pieter Voltelyn van der Bijl wanted it to be built on his own farm, Klipdrift. They could not resolve the dispute, and consequently, two churches were built. One on Langefontein and one on Klipdrift. The church at Klipdrift marked the establishment of the town of Napier. The one on Langefontein became the church for Bredasdorp. It was built between 1838 and 1842, with further expansions done in 1856. (See Napier)

The town was named after Michael van Breda who introduced Merino sheep to the area when he began farming sheep on his farm, Zoetendals Vallei. (Sweet Valley). The Merino Statue near BNK Landbou on Swellendam Road commemorates his work.

The Zoetendal was a Dutch vessel that ran aground in 1673 on the nearby coastline. The area is known for wheat production, dairy and wool. Wildflowers are abundant, particularly the red Bredasdorp lily and Elim Hath, which are Indigenous to the area.

In the 1980s, Bredasdorp developed further with the establishment of the Denel missile test range and the South African Air Force Test Flight and Development Centre near Arniston. The relocation of the Overberg District Council’s head office to the town also contributed to its growth.

Bredasdorp station

The postcode for Bredasdorp is 7280, and the licence plate prefix is CS

local weather today

see all listings in Bredasdorp

• –Heuningberg Nature Reserve is tucked away in the hills overlooking the town.
• De Hoop Vlei, 40 kilometres south-east of Bredasdorp in the Western Cape, is the oldest Ramsar wetland in South Africa
• The Dutch Reformed Church, completed in 1911 in Cape-Gothic style, and the Anglican Church, designed by Sophie Gray in 1861
• -The famous Shipwreck Museum was opened in April 1975.
• -short hikes and walks in the nearby mountains

Useful Numbers

• Police: 028 425 5400
• Municipality: 028 425 1157
• Traffic department: 028 424 2440
• Fire: 028 425 1690
• Home Affairs 028 425 1165
• Water: 028 425 5599
• Electricity:028 425 5604
• Ambulance: 10177
• Post office;028 424 1370
• Library: 028 425 5614 / 15
• Closest hospital; Otto Du Plessis-028 424 2652
• Pharmacy;  Primary Healthcare Pharmacy-028 425 1193
• SPCA: Animal Anti-Cruelty League- 082 898 0787
• Schools: Primary School-028 424 1334
  High School-028 424 1210
  De Heide Primary School-028 424 1230
  Albert Myburgh Secondary School-028 425 1517
  Heldersig Koshuis-(028) 424 1210
  Albert Myburgh Senior Secondary School-028 425 1517, 028 424 1689
  DS de Wet School- 082 929 4276
• Museum; Shipwreck Museum-028 424 1240
• Cape Agulhas Tourism Office: 028 424 2584