• Province: Western Cape
• Coordinates ;33°56′30″S “18°24′50″E
• Area; 1.13 km2
• Municipality: City of Cape Town

Oranjezicht is a residential suburb located on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, immediately above Cape Town’s city centre. The area lies between Gardens, Tamboerskloof and Vredehoek, forming part of the City Bowl.  There are tree-lined streets and views across the city, Table Bay and the harbour. The suburb has direct access to mountain walking routes and the Table Mountain National Park.

Major access routes include Kloof Nek Road and Upper Orange Street, linking the suburb to the city centre, the Atlantic Seaboard via Kloof Nek, and the southern suburbs via the M3. The area is approximately 20 km from Cape Town International Airport by road.

History of Oranjezicht

Produce for settlers and passing ships

Oranjezicht means orange view in Dutch. It was a farm established on the slopes of Table Mountain. The farm stretched to the Mount Nelson hotel and was established to supply people at the Castle of Good Hope with fresh produce.

Oranjezicht farm was originally planted in 1708 by Nicolaus Laubscher, a Swiss man who arrived at the Cape in the 1670s. He named the farm for the excellent view of the Oranje bastion of the castle. When he died, the farm passed to Pieter van Breda, who arrived here from the Netherlands in 1719. It ran as a working farm for the next two centuries. Terraces were also built for grapevines, but the main source of income was vegetables and fruit. At the height of the enterprise, about 300 slaves were employed on the farm.

The slave bell was rung to notify the residents of sales

On sale days, the slave bell was rung, and a flag was hoisted to signal people to come and purchase produce. It could be heard in Woodstock. The bell is on display at the Koopmans de Wet House on Strand Street in Cape Town. The tower still stands today, as do some of the other original farm buildings. In the 1960s, the area was remodelled to build a bowling green. This eventually fell into disrepair and was replaced in 2013 by a community farm.

Water supplies for the district.

The Molteno dam was built in 1877. This dam stores water to supply Cape Town with natural spring water from Table Mountain. The suburb grew, and the dam is now in the middle of the suburb. Right next door is The Graaff Electric Lighting Works, which was commissioned in 1877. This was the first municipal electrical power plant in Cape Town.

Things to see and do in Oranjezicht:

• The Oranjezicht house, now used by the scouts
• Molteno Power Station Molteno Road 33°56′19″S 18°24′37″E
• Oranjezicht city farm
• Homestead Park  87 Upper Orange St, Oranjezicht,
• Molteno reservoir
• Hurling Pump corner of Prince and Sir George Grey Streets

Resources

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

The postcode for Oranjezicht is 8001

local WEATHER TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in Oranjezicht

Useful Numbers in Oranjezicht

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

• Emergency Services

• Police: 021 467 8000
• Fire: Central Fire Station -021 444 8963
• Ambulance: 10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital: Mediclinic Cape Town – 021 464 5500
• Pharmacy; Zetler Pharmacy – 021 465 4217

• Municipal & Utilities

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

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic Department: Gallows Hill Traffic Department-0860 103 089

• Community & Safety

• NSRI 087 094 9774
• 24-hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777.
• Childline South Africa: 116
• SPCA: Cape of Good Hope SPCA-021 700 4140

• Local Contacts and Community Resources 

• Post office;Mill Street Post Office-021 465 1013
• Library: Hiddingh Hall Library-021 650 7135

• Schools in Oranjezicht:

• St. Cyprian’s School-021 461 1090
• Stepping Stones Montessori School-021 465 4003

• Find a comprehensive list of Cape Town Emergency numbers HERE

Adjacent suburbs are: Bo Kaap;  Devils Peak Estate, Gardens;  Higgovale, Tamboerskloof and Vredehoek