History of Villiersdorp
- Province: Western Cape
- Overberg
- Coordinates: 33°59′S 19°17′E
- Area: 2.89 km2
- Municipality: Theewaterskloof
Villiersdorp is a small town in the Western Cape, nestled at the foot of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains. Known for its agricultural surroundings and nearby dams, it’s a quiet spot for nature lovers, fishing enthusiasts, and anyone passing through on the way to the mountains. With essential services, shops, and local eateries, Villiersdorp makes a convenient stop or base for exploring the surrounding countryside.
History of Villiersdorp
Huguenot settlement
Before the European settlers arrived, the San and the Hottentots lived in the pristine and abundant land at the Cape. When the Huguenots arrived in 1688, they moved into the valley where Villiersdorp is today. They farmed livestock and had little need for roads, so the area remained undeveloped until the mid 19th century.
Nuptial scandal
The town of Villiersdorp is named after Field Cornet Pieter de Villiers, who founded the village on the farm Radyn in 1843 after appealing to the governor of the Cape to lay out a settlement on his farm.
The daughter of Pieter de Villiers married a farm labourer, Petrus Graaf, amid much scandal. The nuptials were allowed on condition that the name De Villiers would be dropped. However, the couple had three sons, including David De Villiers Graaf, who was a minister in parliament in Cape Town.
With the great depression in the 1920s, residents had to find a new market for their crops, so they turned grapes into a preserved syrup known as moskonfyt. CC Jooste built a moskonfyt factory in 1922 which is the only one in the world. Villiersdorp developed slowly, with the main road being tarred only in 1936.
Theewaterskloof dam
Since the building of the Theewaterskloof Dam in the 1970s, the town has developed a microclimate very suitable for viticulture and deciduous fruit farming. The main crops include onions, grapes and deciduous fruits.
The postcode for is 6848 (Streets and Boxes), and the licence plate prefix is CAM
local WEATHER TODAY
Browse businesses and places to see in Villiersdorp
Things to see and do in Villiersdorp
- Agri and Arts Festival in October 083 312 1476
- The Tractor Trekker Museum behind the Kelkiewyn cafe 028 840 0900
- One of 5 water mills built by the Dutch East India Company can be seen on the farm Radyn.
- Elandskloof pass
- Floorshoogte pass
- The annual Stookfees in April. Locals stook mampoer, make moskonfyt and celebrate the town’s history. More info@villiersdorptourism.co.za,
Useful Numbers
- Municipality; 028 840 1130
- Police: 028 840 8014
- Traffic department: Caledon-028 212 2878
- Fire: Worcester- 023 348 9060
- Water:Electricity:Ambulance:Worcester: 028 342 2656 / 10177
- Post office; 021 854 3102
- Library: 028 840 1130
- Closest hospital; Medical Centre-028 840 1145
- Provincial Hospital; (Worcester): (023) 348 1100
- Clinic; Mobile Clinic-028 840 1233
- Pharmacy; Kruger Pharmacy-028 840 1112
- Tourism: info@villiersdorptourism.co.za
- SPCA: Overberg Pet Care Society: 073 354 4915
- Villiersdorp Dierekliniek: 028 840 1132
- Schools:
De Villiers Graaff High School-028 840 1640
Villiersdorp Secondary School-028 840 1079
De Villiers Graaff Primary School 840 1328
Kosie De Wet Primary School-028 840 1475
Elandsrivier Primary School-028 050 2042
Tourism Bureau-028 840 0082
