Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

The large coloured community lives mainly in the Western Cape and their lively culture addssignificantly to the uniqueness of the area.In 1688, the French Huguenots arrived in the Cape and were quickly integrated into the Dutchsettlement. Both the Dutch and French farmers gradually expanded into the surroundingareas, leading to the founding of the towns of Stellenbosch (1680) and Swellendam (1745),the second and third oldest towns in South Africa. Simon van der Stel, who arrived as theDutch Governor in 1679, exerted a marked influence on the Colony. The British arrived at theend of the eighteenth century and ended a period of relative isolation. Although the Colonywas eventually formally ceded to Britain in 1814 after several battles and changes ofownership, Dutch vessels were still entitled to call at the Cape of Good Hope for refreshmentand repairs. These early settlers left many structures and artefacts of architectural andcultural significance for us. Many Dutch farmers found the new style of British government tobe too interfering and restrictive, choosing rather to retain their independence and to ventureinto the largely unexplored interior on a “Great Trek”.10