History of Kuils River

Province: Western Cape
Coordinates: 33.9414°S 18.7066°E
Area: 39.86 km2
Municipality; City of Cape Town

Archaeological records confirm the existence of migratory Khoe/xam groups living in this area. The suburb was originally called De Kuijlen or De Bos. It began as a quiet, rural settlement. The name Kuils River comes from pools along the river. (Afrikaans/ Dutch for dams)

By 1683, a cattle post recommended by Willem Adrian van der Stel was completed near the Kuils River. There was abundant Wildlife in the area. Hippos, lions,  reptiles, ostriches, and more.  The Dutch East India Post grew to be a small village during the 1700s. It was a refreshment post halfway between Cape Town and Stellenbosch

Kuilsrivier was the main supplier of vegetables to the Cape Colony. Farmers travelled to Cape Town by ox wagon. A road was built to the area in 1845. Nearly 20 years later, in 1862, Kuilsrivier had a train stop for passengers and goods. A railway station was built in 1862. By the late 1800s, the area had grown, with houses, hotels and shops.

The first school in Kuils Rivier opened in 1898. This school building later doubled as a church and local library. Over time, a hall and additional classrooms were added. Jan Mostert later purchased the complex and converted some classrooms into flats known as Mossieneste.

The Dutch Reformed Church of Kuilsrivier was inaugurated on November 29, 1904. But this town only achieved municipal status in 1950.

Sarepta,(part of Kuils River) means to melt, or refine in short “melting pot”. It was home to freed slaves, mostly from the neighbouring farms, who lived in the dunes of Sarepta.  The first Congregation of the Rhenish Mission was established in Stellenbosch. Many of the congregation  were freed Slaves who had been emancipated in 1838

Interesting facts about Kuils River

Mrs. Ball’s famous chutney began production in a small building behind what is now the Aroma centre in the late 19th century.

Renowned South African author Mikro (C.H. Kuhn) wrote many of his  books while he lived in Kuilsrivier

Herman Charles Bosman, one of South Africa’s greatest short-story writers, was born in Kuils River on 3 February 1905

Tin was mined in the early 1900s. The deposit was found on the farm Annexe Langverwacht 245, now called Zewenwacht. The majority of the production was from alluvial deposits. It produced over 700 tons of cassiterite (SnO2). Working ceased in 1956

Well-known Wine Farms in the area

• Zevenfontein was granted to Daniel Bosman, with the manor house, which is a national heritage site built in 1800.
• Bellevue Estate was granted to the original homestead, was built in 1803 and was declared a national monument in 1993.
• Mooiplaas was granted to Willem van As in 1712. The homestead was built in the late 18th century and was declared a national monument in 1989
• Leeuwenhof: which was part of the De Kuilen estate, the manor house dates back to 1788
• Koopmanskloof was Granted to Jan Rotterdam in 1702. The manor house was built in 1801 and was declared a national monument in 1960..

The postcodes for Kuils River are 7580 (streets), 7579 (boxes)

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Useful Numbers

• Police: 021 900 2800
• Municipality-021 400 2355
• Traffic department:021 815 3402
• Fire:021 815 3300
• Water:021 400 2355
• Electricity:021 400 2355
• Ambulance: 10177
• Post office: 021 815 3300
• Closest hospital;Netcare Kuilsriver Hospital-021 900 6000
• Bardale community centre:  021 444 7493
• Blackheath Community Hall: 021 444 7493
• Sarepta Hall : 021 417 4912
•  Human Resources Centre;021 417 4912
•  Resort Hall:021 444 7493
• Van Riebeeck Community Hall : 021 417 4912
• Happy Valley Community hall:021 417 4912
• Library:021 900 3860
• Pharmacy;Essential Health-021 903 5114
• SPCA: Cape of Good Hope SPCA-021 700 4140
• Schools:
  Kuilsriver Primary School-021 905 0000
  De Kuilen High School-021 903 5121
  Kuils River Technical High School-021 906 0040
  Laerskool De Kuilen Primary-021 903 4160
  Young Eagles Christian Academy-021 903 6784
  Laerskool Mikro Primary School-021 903 2126
  Sarepta Primary School-021 903 5100 This is the oldest school in the area, started in 1843
  Sarepta Secondary School-021 903 2179
  Kuilsriver Preprimary School-021 903 2647
  Good Hope High School-021 823 9000
  Hoërskool De Kuilen High School-021 903 5121
  Alta Du Toit School (special education)-Alta Du Toit School-021 903 4178
  De Kuilen Preprimary School-021 903 2647
  Irista Primary School-021 903 3987
  Kalkfontein Primary School-021 906 5330
  Good Hope Primary-081 423 0909
  Jan Kriel School (Special education school)-021 903 1108