Towns and suburbs

Wynberg

Wynberg is a southern suburb of Cape Town, located between Kenilworth and Plumstead along the Main Road corridor. The area combines residential neighbourhoods, schools, businesses and important transport connections.

Wynberg is situated in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, Western Cape. It lies south of Kenilworth and north of Plumstead, with Claremont to the north-west. The suburb stretches from the eastern slopes of Table Mountain toward the M5 highway, forming part of the Main Road transport corridor. It is easily accessible via Main Road, the M3 and M5 highways, and the railway station, making it a central hub within the southern suburbs.

History of Wynberg

In 1683, Simon van der Stel granted land to Herman Weekes, who named his farm De Oude Wijnbergh (Old Wine Mountain). The farm was roughly halfway between Cape Town and Simon’s Bay (now Simon’s Town), where ships sometimes docked during the winter months.

During the Dutch period, Wynberg was a small military outpost. After the British occupation of the Cape in 1795, a permanent military camp was established, and the area developed into a garrison town. Its position between Table Bay and False Bay made it a convenient stopping point, and a village gradually grew around the military presence.

By the mid-19th century, Wynberg had become a popular residential area, particularly for British civil servants and military officers. Land was gradually sold off for development, including plots for churches and homes. Regency-style cottages became popular, providing accommodation for military and civil officials, including some who had served in India.

The arrival of the railway in 1864 brought major changes. The village became a dormitory suburb of Cape Town, and larger military barracks were built. The railway also shifted commercial activity away from the old village towards Main Road. The site for Wynberg Station was donated by J. M. Maynard, a wealthy resident and major shareholder in the Wynberg Railway Company. Find out more about the railways in the Western Cape

Wynberg continued to expand towards the end of the 19th century. One of the early electric power stations was built on Electric Road in 1893. It supplied electricity for local trams and street lighting.

Under Mayor James Bisset, the town experienced further infrastructure development. A substantial Jewish community also became established in Wynberg, and the Wynberg Synagogue opened in 1902.

Victoria Hospital

The facility opened in 1888 as a small cottage hospital with just 14 beds. Funded by the local community, it gradually expanded into a general hospital offering specialist care.

During the Anglo-Boer War, it also served as a military hospital. Over the following decades, the hospital continued to expand and became an important healthcare facility for Cape Town’s southern suburbs.

blank           blank      blank

Vintage pictures of Wynberg Station and streets

  blank        blank

 Transport

Wynberg is served by Metrorail, Golden Arrow Bus Services, and minibus taxis. See linked pages for details. Other options for getting around the Western Cape.

 

LOCAL WEATHER TODAY

Browse businesses and things to see in Wynberg

 

Things to see and do in Wynberg

  • During the summer (February) Maynardville Open-air Theatre hosts world-class Shakespeare productions.
  • In March, the Cape Town Community Chest carnival is held at Maynardville Park
  • Maynardville Park Outdoor Gym, Glaren Road.

Resources

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

blank

Useful Numbers

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

  • Emergency Services

  • Police: 021 799 1300
  • Fire: 021 444 9623
  • Ambulance: 10177

  • Medical

  • Closest hospital: Victoria Hospital  – 021 799 1111
  • Clinic: 021 797 5190
  • Pharmacy; Medicare Pharmacy Wynberg – 021 797 8141

  • Municipal & Utilities

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

  • Transport & Roads

  • Traffic Department: Hillstar Traffic Department-0860 103 089

  • Community & Safety

  • NSRI 087 094 9774
  • SPCA: Cape of Good Hope SPCA-021 700 4140

  • Local Contacts and Community Resources in Wynberg

  • Museum; Education Museum – 021 762-1622
  • Post office: 021 762 5757
  • Library: 021 797 9178
  • Wynberg Civic Centre:021 444 6948
  • Home Affairs: 021 763 6400/ 6405 / 6410 /6423

  • Schools in Wynberg

  • Wynberg Boys’ Junior School-021 762 5707
  • Wynberg Boys’ High School-021 797 4247
  • Springfield Convent Senior School – 021 797 6169
  • Wynberg Girls’ Junior School – 021 797 4213
  • Wynberg High School-021 797 0017
  • Wittebome High School-021 761 1535
  • Saint Augustine’s RC Primary School-021 761 3114
  • Immaculata RK Secondary School-021 761 1930
  • Douglas Road Primary School-021 797 9533
  • Ottery Road (Meth.) Primary School-021 762 3549
  • Muhammadeyah Primary School-021 797 8047
  • Shiloah Christian school-021 761 2158
  • Laerskool Simon Van Der Stel-021 762 2234
  • Norman Henshilwood High School-021 797 8043
  • Immaculata High School-021 761 1930

 

  • Find a comprehensive list of Cape Town Emergency numbers HERE
  • 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

  • Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
    Learn more about the project HERE

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors