Eerste Rivier

• Province: Western Cape
• Coordinates: 34°0′S 18°43′E
• Area: 5.86 km2
• Municipality; City of Cape Town

 

Jump to: History of Eerste River |Useful Numbers in Eerste River

Eerste Rivier lies in the Helderberg region of the Western Cape, approximately 40 km east of Cape Town’s city centre. The town is positioned along the Eerste River and bordered by Somerset West to the south and Stellenbosch to the north. It is located near Cape Town International Airport and is connected by the N2 highway and regional rail lines.

The surrounding landscape includes low-lying plains, agricultural land, and residential suburbs forming part of the greater Cape Town metropolitan area. Eerste Rivier, meaning “First River, also known as Eersterivier, is a suburban area located in the eastern part of Cape Town. Situated within the Oosteberg subregion on the Cape Flats, Eerste River serves as a residential and commercial hub.

History of Eerste River

Eerste Rivier has a history closely connected with the development of the Cape Town, Wellington and Docks Railway line. The railway reached the area in 1862, and a station was established here, helping to turn what had previously been a rural area of farms into a settlement.

The railway brought an important transport link between Cape Town and the surrounding agricultural districts. Eerste Rivier also became an important road junction, with routes connecting Cape Town, Bellville, Stellenbosch and Somerset West.

The area originally consisted of several farms and smallholdings. Over time, the railway, roads and growing population changed its character, and residential development increased substantially during the second half of the 20th century. Once rural areas were gradually incorporated into the expanding Cape Town metropolitan area.

One of the significant historical sites associated with  Eerste River is the tomb of Sheikh Yusuf of Bantam. Sheikh Yusuf was exiled to the Cape by the Dutch East India Company in 1694, arriving with members of his family and followers. He lived at Zandvliet, near present-day Macassar, where he died in 1699. His burial place is an important site in the history of Islam in South Africa and is part of the wider network of shrines associated with the Cape’s early Muslim community.

According to Cape Muslim tradition, an invisible sacred boundary known as the “Circle of Saints” (Ring van Kramatte) surrounds the Cape Peninsula. The tradition holds that the circle protects the area from famine, epidemics and natural disasters, with the Kramat of Sheikh Yusuf at Macassar regarded as its anchor

Eerste River continued to expand as Cape Town grew, with residential areas developing around the older farms and transport routes. Delft and Blackheath were historically associated with the wider area but later developed as separate suburbs.

Today, Eerste River is a predominantly residential suburb, but its origins can still be traced to the railway station and the farms and transport routes that existed here during the 19th century.

Read more about the story of the Cape Flats

The postcode for Eerste River is 7100.

Transport

Eerste River is served by Metrorail  Golden Arrow Bus Services, and minibus taxis. See linked pages for details. Other options for getting around the Western Cape.

Resources

• For permits, fishing rules, shell collecting regulations and other practical outdoor information relevant to Eerste Rivier, see the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

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Useful Numbers in Eerste River

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities

• Emergency Services

• Police: Saps Kleinvlei-021 902 8300
• Fire: Kuilsrivier Traffic Department-021 815 3402
• Ambulance:10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital: ER-021 902 8000
• Clinic-021 444 7144
• Pharmacy;Eerste River Hospital Pharmacy-021 902 8035

• Municipal & Utilities

• Municipality;Kuilsrivier Municipality-021 400 2355
• Water:0860 103 089
• Electricity:0860 103 089

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic Department: Kuilsrivier Traffic Department-021 815 3402
• Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204

• Community & Safety

• NSRI 087 094 9774
• 24-hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777

• Local Contacts and Community Resources in Eerste Rivier

• Post Office-021 904 1385
• Library: -021 444 7671
• Bosasa community centre:
• Multi-purpose centre 021 444 7493

• Schools in Eerste Rivier

•  Eersterivier Secondary School – 074 640 5725
• Beverly Park Primary – 021 906 1780
• Blackheath Primary – 021 905 2200
• Forest Heights – 021 904 1644