Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

nightly cabaret and comedy shows and daily stunt shows. Regular events, such as lasershows, concerts, street-dancing and special parties, offer popular night-time entertainment.HISTORY AND ARCHITECTUREHouse Zonnekus: Located on Otto du Plessis Drive, this stately landmark dates back to 1929.It was the seaside house of the late Sir De Villiers Graaff and can be seen from MilnertonBeach.Janssens Town Hall: The hall was originally built as a tea bungalow in the early days ofMilnerton and was later used as a casino. It lay at the end of the railway line from Cape Townand served as a refreshment stop for visitors to the Ascot Turf Club.Milnerton Bridge: Just beyond the stately row of palms that marks the entrance to Milnerton,an old wooden bridge, built in 1901, links Woodbridge Island to the mainland. The bridge liesin Otto du Plessis Drive and is now used as a pedestrian crossing to the Milnerton Golf Links.It was built during the Anglo-Boer War, after British troops had occupied Pretoria andJan Smuts, the Boer General, had started one of his many raids into the Cape Colony. Inorder to defend the Cape Coast, the British decided to build military access routes to the islandand to the coast to the north.Milnerton Lighthouse: This structure stands on Woodbridge Island off Otto du Plessis Drive. Itwas built as a beacon for ships entering Cape Town Harbour. A plaque commemorating thestranding of the Nieuwe Haarlem was erected at the lighthouse.Milnerton Railway Station: The station came into operation on 26 December 1903. A plaquecommemorating this event can be seen opposite the Palm Hotel.Paarlberg Stone: The stone stands in Pienaar Road, Milnerton, in front of the municipaloffices and was erected in 1975 in honour of the Afrikaans language.PELLAPella is a historical little village, which came into existence during the 1830s when a MoravianMission Station was built on a farm that was once known as Kop van Groenrivier (Head ofGreen River). The postal agency at Pella is called Katzenberg and the first mention of thename in official records dates back as far as 1876. The village still has a postal agency,housed in a small building close to the Moravian pastor’s house.TABLE VIEWMany an artist has found a comfortable advantageous spot somewhere in Table View andimmortalised his or her view of Table Mountain. This residential area also offers a livelynightlife, from restaurants and pubs to live music venues.ADVENTURE AND SPORTBeach: The beach, with Table Mountain as its backdrop, is perfect for walks, relaxing in thesun or swimming.Canoeing, water-skiing: These activities can be practised in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve.68