• Province: Western Cape
• Garden route
• Coordinates: 33°39′S 22°05′E
• Area: 2.29 km2
• Municipality­ ; Oudtshoorn

Volmoed is a small rural settlement about 15 km north of Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape. It falls within the Garden Route District Municipality and consists mainly of farms and small agricultural holdings.

History of Volmoed

The history of Volmoed is closely tied to the wider history of the Karoo, a region of harsh conditions, vast distances and isolated farms. The area was originally inhabited by Khoi and San people, who lived as herders and hunter-gatherers and adapted to the arid environment. European settlement during the 18th and 19th centuries brought major changes, as farms were established and the land was increasingly used for agriculture and livestock.

Volmoed began as a farm originally known as Armoed, the Afrikaans word for “poverty”. The farm became a gathering place for the scattered local community, and the name was eventually changed to Volmoed, meaning “full of courage” or “hope”. The change reflected a desire to replace the rather bleak original name with one conveying optimism and determination.

The large church

In 1908, the owner of the farm, W.G. Olivier, offered five morgen of land for the construction of a church and undertook to finance the building. He also hoped that a town would develop around it. His offer was initially declined but was accepted in 1910. On 16 May that year, the cornerstone was laid by Revs. George Murray and Andrew Murray McGregor. The church was completed in 1912, and in 1921 Volmoed became a separate parish.

The imposing sandstone Dutch Reformed Church was built during the Ostrich Feather Boom (1900–1914), when ostrich farmers around Oudtshoorn made substantial fortunes supplying feathers to the fashion industry in Europe. The period brought considerable wealth to the region, much of which was reflected in the substantial buildings constructed during the boom.

The architect of the Volmoed church was Watson Hall, a young designer who had previously worked in Cape Town as an assistant to the renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker.

Volmoed is within easy driving distance of Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves

This settlement should not be confused with the locality named Volmoed near Hermanus in the Overberg region.

The license plate prefix for Volmoed is CG, and the postcode is 6624

Resources

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

local WEATHER TODAY

browse businesses and places to see in Volmoed

 

Useful Numbers

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

• Emergency Services

• Police: Oudtshoorn-044 203 9000 / 044 203 9022
• Fire: 044 2033000
• Ambulance: 10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital; 044 2037200

• Municipal & Utilities

• Municipality – 044 203 3000

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic department: 044 203 3910

• Community & Safety

• NSRI 087 094 9774
• SPCA: 044 2791850

• Local Contacts and Community Resources 

• Post office; 044 279 1777 (Oudtshoorn)
• Library: 044 272 7642
• Tourism: 082 9722507

• Schools in Volmoed

•  Primary school – 442727642