CommunityTowns and suburbs

Mowbray

Mowbray is a suburb of Cape Town situated along the Liesbeek River between Observatory and Rondebosch. It is known for its historic homes, medical institutions, and proximity to the University of Cape Town.

Mowbray is a suburb of Cape Town located about six kilometres southeast of the city centre in the Western Cape. The suburb lies along the banks of the Liesbeek River on the western edge of the Cape Flats, where the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak descend toward the plains. Mowbray is bordered by nearby suburbs including Observatory, Rosebank, and Rondebosch. The suburb is positioned along major transport routes such as the N2 highway and the main southern metro railway line, providing easy access to central Cape Town and the southern suburbs. Its location near the University of Cape Town and several major medical facilities has made Mowbray an important residential and institutional area within the city.

History of Mowbray

The suburb, Mowbray, was established on the farm Welgelegen in about 1853. The area had originally been known as Driekoppen. This is a Dutch word which refers to the heads of three slaves who were beheaded in 1724 for insurrection. Their heads were impaled for all to see. The English mistranslated Driekoppen (Three heads) as Three cups.

The name was given by the new English owners of the arm Welgelegen after Melton Mowbray.
It boasts some fine examples of Victorian architecture and Cape cottages, some of which are national monuments. The suburb is popular with students as it is close to UCT, and the public transport to and from the suburb is convenient.

In the early 1900s, the Welgelegen farm had several lime kilns operating near the Liesbeek River. These kilns processed limestone by layering crushed stone and fuel in vertical firebrick ovens, burning it down to quicklime used in plaster, whitewash, and construction material. There is photographic evidence of these industrial structures in  Mowbray. Most of the kilns are no longer visible; their remains testify to a local lime industry that preceded the dominance of imported cement. The Forest Hill staff housing for UCT is located where the kilns were previously situated.

The postcodes for Mowbray are 7700 (streets) and 7705 (boxes)

Things to See and Do in Mowbray–

  • Mostert’s Mill is the only complete windmill in South Africa. It was built in 1796, and it worked until the 1860s. The mill was restored in 1935 and again in 1995 and is open to the public once a month on a Saturday. 33°57′08″S 18°27′58″E On 18 April 2021, the mill was gutted by a fire. By March 2023, it was reported that the mill had been almost completely restored. The restoration had been undertaken by the Friends of Moster’s Mill,
  • Rhodes Memorial lies within the Table Mountain National Park; it is a memorial to English-born, South African politician Cecil John Rhodes (1853–1902). It was designed by the well-known architect, Sir Herbert Baker and built from granite rock found at the base of the mountain.
  • The Mowbray Golf Course was established in 1910 and is amongst the best in South Africa. It is an 18-hole course with a combination of links and parkland.

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape, regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

 

Useful Numbers

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

  • Emergency Services

  • Police: 021 680 9580
  • Fire: 021 680 9580
  • Ambulance: 10177

  • Medical

  • Closest hospital;Rondebosch Medical Centre Private Hospital-021 680 5920
  • Clinic;Summit Clinic-021 659 1100
  • Pharmacy;Webb and Savoy Pharmacy-021 689 8923

  • Municipal & Utilities

  • Water: 0860 103 089
  • Electricity:0860 103 089

  • Transport & Roads

  • Traffic Department: Gallows Hill Traffic Department-0860 103 089
  • Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204
  • Childline-116

  • Community & Safety

  • 24-hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777.
  • NSRI 087 094 9774
  • SPCA: Cape of Good Hope- 021 700 4140

  • Local Contacts and Community Resources 

  • Post office;021 447 1205
  • Library:021 689 1201
  • Town Hall: 021 444 5802

  • Schools in Mowbray

  • Thandokulu High School-021 686 7823
  • St. George’s Grammar School-021 689 9354
  • Hillcrest Primary School-021 689 4187
  • Rhodes High School-021 689 8228
  • School of Hope-special needs school-School of Hope-021 447 0334
  • Damelin Mowbray-021 681 6000
  • Find a comprehensive list of Cape Town Emergency numbers HERE
  • The City of Cape Town Public Emergency Communication Centre is available 24/7 For all life or property-threatening emergencies. Call 021 480 7700 from any phone or 107 from a landline or report online at https://bit.ly/3o4Ji3K
  • Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
    Learn more about the project HERE

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