CommunityTowns and suburbs

Napier

Napier is a small town in the Western Cape of South Africa, located in the Overberg region. It is known for farming, historic buildings, and its location near the Klein River.

napier

Napier is a small town in the Overberg within the Western Cape. It is situated near the Klein River and lies along the regional road connecting Bredasdorp and Struisbaai

The town is surrounded by agricultural land, primarily wheat and sheep farms, and features a number of historic buildings reflecting early 20th-century Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture. Napier serves as a local hub for the surrounding rural settlements and farms in the Overberg region.

History of Napier

Napier exists because of a tiff between two farmers. This village is at the foot of the Soetmuisberg, founded due to an unresolved argument over the location of a new Dutch Reformed Church. Michiel van Breda and Pieter Voltelyn van der Byl, the two farmers involved, each built a church on their respective farms, Langefontein and Klipdrift. In 1836, the town of Napier formed around the church that Pieter Voltelyn van der Byl built on Klipdrift or Klipfontein, and in 1838, attaining municipal status within the same year. In 1896, a management board was instituted. In March 1840, it was named after Sir George Thomas Napier, the Governor of the Cape Colony from 1837-1844.1

Named after the British Governor of the Cape Colony from 1837 to 1844.George Thomas Napier. The church features a Greek cross design, a beautiful teak interior, and a solid copper pipe organ. The Feeshuis, one of the oldest buildings in town, originally served as a slave quarter and later as a wine cellar.

The area once boasted three mills, the remnants of which can still be found today. The town’s historic leiwater (irrigation canal) system, a vital water source for animals and agriculture, is also partially preserved.

Doomed gold rush

Around the turn of the century, miners searched for gold on the farm Hansiesrivier, establishing the Napier Gold Mining Company and issuing shares. However, they found little to no gold, and the company eventually folded.

Today, the area is also known for its strawberry farms.

The postcode in Napier is 7270

 

Things to see and do in Napier:

  • The watermill  at the municipal offices
  • A spring was located where the Engen garage stands today. Here, Travellers watered thirsty oxen and horses.
  • In the early 1900s, a Norfolk pine was donated by the sister town of Napier in New Zealand. It can be seen at the Municipal Buildings
  • Danie du Toit built the sundial at the municipal offices in 1965, who built it just by meticulous observation. It is accurate within 30 seconds.
  • The Patat Fees is held in June, marketing@napierwinepatatfees.co.za
  • The Dutch Reformed church was built in the form of a Greek cross with a teak interior, unique with a beautiful pipe organ made of solid yellow copper
  • Kakebeenwa monument. An Ox-wagon monument on the main road, the monument commemorates the Ossewa Trek of 1838.
  • The Feeshuis, one of the oldest buildings in the town, was used as slave quarters during 1810–1820, and then later as a wine cellar. It was restored in 1988 to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary.
  • The Grootberg Hiking Trail is 8km long and takes about 3.5 hours. Drive out of town on Plein Street and up along the gravel road. Park at the FM tower and head for Grootberg Beacon. Continue to Sopieshoogte. Take in a view over the town of Napier. Turn round and return the way you came,
  •  Sports Pavilion built in 1938

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: 028 423 8000
  • Fire: Bredasdorp-028 425 1690
  • Ambulance: 10177

  • Medical

  • Closest hospital: Provincial Hospital: 028 424 1167
  • Clinic-028 423 3008
  • Pharmacy; Bredasdorp Primary Healthcare Pharmacy-028 425 1193

  • Municipal & Utilities

  • Municipality; : 0284233231
  • Water: 028 425 5601
  • Electricity:028 425 5604

  • Transport & Roads

  • Traffic department: Bredasdorp – 028 424 2440
  • Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204

  • Community & Safety

  • Childline-116
  • 24 hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777
  • NSRI 087 094 9774
  • SPCA: Animal Anti-Cruelty League (Bredasdorp): 082 898 0787 / 028 425 2270

  • Local Contacts and Community Resources

  • Post office;028 423 3281
  • Library: 028 423 3257
  • Residents assosciation
  • Tourism Facebook page
  • Cape Agulhas Tourism Office: 028 424 2584

  • Schools in Napier

  • Protea Primary School-028 423 3563
  • Agulhas School of Skills-028 423 3572

owns and villages in the L’Agulhas municipality are Arniston, Bredasdorp, Hotagterklip, Napier, and Struisbaai

  • Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
    Learn more about the project HERE

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