History of Van Rhynsdorp

Province: Western Cape
West coast
Coordinates:31°37′S 18°44′E
Area:5.99 km2
Municipality: Matzikama

European explorers.

The area of Van Rhynsdorp was first explored by Europeans in 1661 led by Pieter van Meerhoff. It was first called Trutro (“TroeTroe”) The Troe-Troe Zending (“Mission”) dates back to the 1751 completion of the Trutro Homestead which is still standing. The name was changed to Van Rhynsdorp in 1881 to honour Van Rhijn who made valuable contributions to the town as a church leader and community member.
Many of Van Rhynsdorp‘s indigenous Khoe population sadly are victims of alcoholism. The European colonists created apartheid and evicted the indigenous Khoe from their lands; European colonist farmers employed local indigenous Khoe people and paid them with alcohol and the cycle has been passed down through generations.

Evidence of ancient inhabitants in the area

The Khoe people are, along with the San, the earliest residents of South Africa and are in fact the oldest race on Earth. The mountains around the town were populated by the San people, a group of late stone age hunter-gatherers. Examples of rock art dating from this period exist in the area.

Things to do and see in Van Rhynsdorp

The Gifberg pass
Tierberg pass
. Visit the world-famous nurseries
Van Rhyn Museum and Old Jail
Discover buildings dating back as far as the 1700s.
War graves.

The license plate prefix for Van Rhynsdorp is CCP

WEATHER IN VAN RHYNSDORP TODAY

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Useful Numbers in Van Rhynsdorp

Police: 027 219 8031
Municipality; 027 219 1030
Traffic department:027 201 3432
Fire
Water: 027 201 3404/3401
Electricity:082 323 7463
Ambulance:10177
Post office; 027 219 1460
Library:0272013466
Closest hospital ; 027 213 2036 clinic 027 219 1733
Pharmacy;027 219 2969
SPCA: Matzikama Dierebeskerming 027 213 4182
Schools:
Vanrhynsdorp high 027 219 1010
Maskam primary 027 219 1440
Museums;
The old jail 027 219 1048
Latsky radio museum 4 church st 027 219 1032
Info centre; 027 201 3371
Tourism; 027 201 3371

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