History of Retreat

Province: Western Cape
Coordinates;34°03′18″S 18°28′32″E
Area ; 5.27 km2
Municipality City of Cape Town

Retreat from the Battle of Muizenberg

Retreat was where the Dutch retreated after losing the battle of Muizenberg. The Dutch named it ‘Terugtrekking van de Nederlandse 1795’ retreat of the Netherlands 1795.
Although the battle of Muizenberg was a pivotal event in South African history, there were not too many casualties during the battle. Up to that point, the Cape colony had been ruled by the Dutch who also then held the vital sea route to the East.

News traveled slowly in the 1700s

To understand this event in history one needs to know what was going on in Europe at the time. Because of the remoteness of the Cape, the people in the colonies were not up to date with events there. France was at war with both England and Holland and in 1794 the Prince of Orange fled to England. General Abraham Sluysken who oversaw affairs at the Cape did not have this information, There was also some dissension amongst the burgers at the Cape. Months later a ship arrived with news from Europe. The ship had sailed before the collapse of the Dutch monarchy. So General Abraham Sluysken thought that the British were still allies and the French were in fact the enemy.

British control at the Cape

Admiral Elphinstone wanted to secure the Cape for Britain and a fleet arrived in Simon’s town in 1795 The Dutch found they were outclassed and they retreated. The British sent a delegation to the Castle who suggested that the British should control the Cape. Post this, the British took control of the Cape for 7 years, the Dutch took it back in 1804 but were then defeated by the British at the battle of Blaauwberg after which the British ruled the Cape and the rest of South Africa until 1961
Retreat was once one of the largest “locations” where black people lived. During the forced removals of the 1950s in the apartheid era, many people were moved to Nyanga. In 1961 Retreat was declared a “coloured area.

The postcodes for Retreat are 7945 (Streets) and 7965 (Boxes)

Things to see and do in Retreat

Chiphillside Park Outdoor Gym Chiphillside, Retreat
Fifth Avenue Park Outdoor Gym Fifth Avenue, Retreat
Velma Road Park Outdoor Gym Lensie Road, Retreat

WEATHER IN RETREAT TODAY

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Useful Numbers in Retreat

Police: Saps Steenberg-· 021 702 9000
Traffic department: Hillstar Traffic Department-0860 103 089
Fire: Lakeside Fire Station-021 480 7700
Water: 0860 103 089
Electricity:0860 103 089
Ambulance: 10177
Post office;021 712 0242
Library:021 701 1156
Closest hospital;Retreat Day Hospital-021 713 9800
Pharmacy;Medicare Pharmacy-021 712 8689
SPCA: Cape of Good Hope SPCA-021 700 4140
Schools:Blouvlei School-021 712 0857
St Mary’s RC Primary School-021 712 4611
Floreat Primary School-021 701 2303
Crestway Secondary School-021 701 1551
Thomas Wildschutt Primary School-021 715 4720
Thomas Wildschutt Junior Primary School-021 715 4720
Zwaanswyk Academy-021 712 205
Sibelius High School-Phone 0217127606
Square Hill Primary-021 712 1592
St Marys RC Primary School-021 465 1115
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

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