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Origin Of Names/Places

Discover the meaning and history behind a namof people, historical buildings, fishing spots, beaches etc.

The story of Wendy The Whale

Wendy the Whale is the story about a lone female southern right whale who gets beached on the shore of Hermanus, a small fishing town in South Africa and all the townspeople come together to help release her back into the sea.

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The History of Fisherhaven

Fisherhaven arose from the Afdaks River farm - Fisherhaven is a small town in the Western Cape, South Africa on the banks of the Bot River lagoon

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Genadendal - A small village with a mission in South Africa

Genadendal translated to English and known as Valley of Grace and was established in 1738 by George Schmidt, a German Missionary, sent by the United Brethren (Moravian Church) to preach the gospel to the Khoi.

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Hawston and it's history

Close to Hermanus, the town of Hawston with its long, white unspoilt beach lies cosily between the sea and the mountain. Named after C.R. Haw, a civil commissioner of Caledon.

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Waar kom die naam Sopiesklip Vandaan?

Waar kom die naam Sopiesklip vandaan? Ek het al menigte stories gehoor oor Spoiesklip en waar die naam vandaan kom, en later besef… dit moes in verskillende tye gebeur het.

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Hermanus and its History

“Every town or village name has an origin. For many years a variety or stories were told about the name of Hermanus and the man Hermanus Pieters.

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Plankhuis a famous fishing spot near Hawston

About three kilometres west of Hawston lies the famous fishing spot, Plankhuis — a place shrouded in romanticism and mystery..

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Voëlklip Beach and it's origin

How and or where did Voëlklip Beach get it's name?

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Gearing's Point in Hermanus - Origin

Gearing's Point was named after Mr. Sydney Gearing a future mayor of Rondebosch who bought a cottage on the corner of Marine and Harbour Road.

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St. Peter's Church

In 1868 a small building, a "palehuis", like many of the original houses, was built, to be both English church and school and it was called after the patron saint of fishermen, St. Peter

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