Robertson, Western Cape

Robertson is a town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa known as the valley of wine and roses, at the heart of the wine route - Route 62.[3][4]

Robertson
Robertson in 1987
Robertson
Robertson
Coordinates: 33°48′S 19°53′E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceWestern Cape
DistrictCape Winelands
MunicipalityLangeberg
Established1853[1]
Area
 • Total23.5 km2 (9.1 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total27,715
 • Density1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African23.2%
 • Coloured60.8%
 • Indian/Asian0.3%
 • White14.7%
 • Other1.0%
First languages (2011)
 • Afrikaans75.1%
 • Xhosa15.6%
 • English3.2%
 • Sotho2.2%
 • Other3.9%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
6705
PO box
6705
Area code023
Websiterobertsonr62.com

History

The town was founded in 1853 and named after the Scottish Dutch Reformed Church Minister, Dr William Robertson.

Situated in the fertile Robertson Valley, farming and wagon building were the town's original industries. However, after the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899, the wagon building industry collapsed when the railways took over the transport of all goods.

Robertson subsequently became famous for its ostrich farming, but this industry collapsed as well shortly after World War I and thus the farmers of the area turned to wine and fruit farming. Later, several successful racehorse stud farms were founded. Agriculture remains the mainstay of the town's economy up to the present day.

Tourism

Tourism has grown in recent years and the town has several Western Cape provincial heritage sites, such as the Pink Church (1859), the Museum (1860), the Edwardian-style house 12 Piet Retief Street (1904), the Victorian-style house 59 Van Reeneen Street (1914) and the Powder House (which was used as a store for gunpowder). The Klipdrift brandy cellar is an example of brandy making.

Hiking Trail

The Arangieskop trail is a circular route, starts and ends at Dassieshoek nature reserve. The first day of 11 km climbs to the top of Arangieskop (1620 m) where there is also an overnight hut. The second day of 9.5 km returns via a different route.

Wine Industry

The Robertson Wine Valley association was formed in 1983 to cohesively improve the local wine industry, promote the valley as a tourism destination and uplift the community. Today we proudly represent over 50 wineries and tourism establishments from the towns; Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson. Our valley is situated a merely 2 hour scenic drive from Cape Town on the renowned Route 62 and nestled between the majestic Langeberg and Riviersonderend mountain ranges with the graceful Breede River running through the valley. Our members are united in our passion to create the most memorable wine and food tourism experiences hosted by our unique, authentic country-charm hospitality.

Skydiving at Robertson

Western Province Sport Parachute Club (WPSPC) - Skydive Robertson, founded in 1972, is the oldest remaining skydiving club in South Africa. In July 2008 the club relocated to Robertson.[5]

WPSPC operates from the Robertson Airfield on weekends and public holidays and facilitates tandem skydiving and student training, and provides a facility for sports skydivers.

The 2011 South African National Skydiving Championships was hosted by Skydive Robertson and held at Robertson Airfield. This is the first time the national skydiving championships has been held in the Western Cape.[6]

Robertson Airfield

Robertson Airfield is an unmanned airfield, with a 1 600 meter asphalt runway, situated 1 km to the east of Robertson.

  • The Klaasvoogds valley from a 4x4 on the Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve, Robertson Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve
  • The Rosendal Winery & Wellness Retreat in Klaasvoogds, Robertson
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References
  1. "Chronological order of town establishment in South Africa based on Floyd (1960:20-26)" (PDF). pp. xlv–lii.
  2. Sum of the Main Places Robertson and Nkqubela from Census 2011.
  3. SA-Venues.co.za, retrieved 18 February 2012
  4. SA-Route62.co.za, retrieved 18 February 2012
  5. PASA Toggle Times Newsletter, Retrieved 19 February 2012
  6. Robertson Tourism website, Retrieved 19 February 2012
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