page 151 3.4 URBAN SETTLEMENTS AND HIERARCHY
page 152 3.4.1 Hierarchy and Role of the Settlements The Matzikama Local Municipality contains one major town, Vredendal, and three secondary towns, Vanrhynsdorp, Lutzville and Klawer. The main road linkages between these settlements are the N7 and the R27. Vredendal, the main administrative town, is located in the south of the municipality. From Vredendal the R27 links with Vanrhynsdorp in the east, and via the R363 and R362 with Lutzville to the west. The N7 leads to Clanwilliam to the south and Garies to the north. The R27 leads towards Calvinia to the east. Lutzville and Klawer are smaller agricultural towns on the Olifants River corridor and serve the surrounding farms and rural areas. Strandfontein, a higher income tourism settlement, and Doringbaai are located along the Atlantic coastline. Vanrhynsdorp is located at the start of the Troe-Troe irrigation farming area. Ebenhaeser, an old mission settlement, is located between Papendorp and Lutzville. Papendorp, a fishing village, is located at the estuary of the Olifants River. A number of smaller rural inland settlements are also located in the municipality. These settlements include: Rietpoort - Mission station settlement Kliprand - Mission station settlement Bitterfontein (along N7) - Settlement located at a railhead Nuwerus (along N7) - Rural residential settlement Ebenhaeser - Mission station settlement Koekenaap - Rural residential settlement The Saldanha-Sishen railway line runs through the municipality and mainly transports mined ore from the mines at Sishen to the port of Saldanha. The Bitterfontein-Klawer railway line also traverses the municipality and conveys only goods between Bitterfontein and Cape Town.
page 153 Figure 3.4.1 Settlement Hierarchy of towns in the municipality
page 154 3.4.1.1 Vredendal Population: 20 318 (Source: IDP 2012-2017) Vredendal was originally part of the farm Vreedensdaal, and only received its town status in 1944. It received this name due to the peace that was achieved after a long period of fighting between the San and the Griquas in the area. Wine, vegetable and tunnel farming are the main agricultural economic drivers located in and close to this settlement. Services and limited manufacturing are also taking place in the settlement. The town is modern and well established with a busy town centre. It has a limited public transport system and has activities attracting tourists over Christmas, Easter and the flower season. Vredendal hospital is the only hospital in the municipality. Vacant or underutilised land is seen throughout the town. The town has an 18 hole golf course and the biggest wine cellar in the southern hemisphere, namely Westcorp International Cellars. During October, the annual Rittelfees takes place attracting people from all over the country to the west coast to the sportsgrounds of Vredendal. Vredendal is separated by the Olifants River into Vredendal South, the CBD and middle to high income families and Vredendal North, where the people with lower income levels live. Vineyards are planted in the floodplains of the Olifants River and the land that separates Vredendal North and Vredendal South. More recent subsidy developments were located in the vacant land between Vredendal North and South in an attempt to reduce the gap between them and to achieve integration in Vredendal. Photo 3.4.1.1a Photo 3.4.1.1b Voortrekker Road in Vredendal CBD Solar geysers in Vredendal North Photo 3.4.1.1d Renovated Victorian styled House Photo 3.4.1.1e Vacant land in Vredendal South (Church property) Photo 3.4.1.1c Vredendal Hospital Photo 3.4.1.1f Vineyards in floodplain between Vredendal north and south
page 155 b f d a c e Figure 3.4.1.1 Aerial photograph: Vredendal
page 156 3.4.1.2 Vanrhynsdorp Population: 6 304 (Source: IDP 2012-2017) Vanrhynsdorp, originally named Trutro (Troetroe) in 1661, is the oldest town in the municipality. The Troe-Troe Zending (Mission) dates back to 1751, when it was completed. Hendrik van Rhyn led the establishment of a number of similar missions, e.g. Ebenhaeser, Leliefontein (Northern Cape), Steinkopf (Northern Cape) and others. The name was changed in 1881, from Troe-Troe to Het Gesticht (Did Establish) in 1874 and, later, to Vanrhynsdorp. The Catholic Mission of the Little Flower was its more popular name. Locals describe the town to be the gateway to the floral region. The only correctional services facility in the municipality is found here. Substantial pockets of vacant land separate the location of different income groups. Integration can take place through development on this underutilised space. A granite mine, Juma Marble, is found in close proximity to the settlement. The farming areas near the Gifberg Mountains, located close to Vanrhynsdorp, are well-known for its rooibos tea plantations, grain, fruit and vegetables. Urionskraal, close to the Gifberg Mountains outside of the town, is a great tourist attraction with its picturesque waterfall and views. The Van Rhyn museum is located in Van Riebeeck Street and the Latsky Radio museum in Church Street. Vanrhynsdorp is a popular stop along the N7 for refuelling between Cape Town and Namibia. It is also the preferred junction for traffic to Niewoudtville, Calvinia, Williston and Carnarvon as well as De Aar and Upington. There is a very busy taxi and bus stop over, especially on weekends. The N7 and Vredendal Road intersection is a grade separated intersection. The Vanrhynsdorp route is often used as an alternative route between Gauteng and Cape Town because of the N1 weighbridges. While large tracts of vacant land still exist in the older parts toward the lower income settlement component, recent government subsidy residential development more efficiently utilises land and facilitates the integration between these two components of the overall settlement. Photo 3.4.1.2a Vacant land separating town from low income area Photo 3.4.1.2b Vanrhynsdorp High School (note the use of stone natural materials) Photo 3.4.1.2c Old buildings in CBD used as business property Photo 3.4.1.2d Vanrhynsdorp Jail (only jail in municipality) located in the centre of town Photo 3.4.1.2e Resident creating garden area on municipal property Photo 3.4.1.2f Vanrhynsdorp Afrikaans Protestant Church
page 157 f a b f c d Figure 3.4.1.2 Aerial photograph: Vanrhynsdorp
page 158 3.4.1.3 Lutzville Population: 7 325 (Source: IDP 2012-2017) The town was originally known as Fleermuijsklip, named after a cave inhabited by bats, which is now a national monument. The famous Sishen-Saldanha railway bridge can be found near Lutzville. Lutzville also has a railway station that is located on the Bitterfontein-Klawer railway line. The Lutzville Vineyards produce one of South Africa s best export wines. The settlement also has an 18 hole golf course. Tiger Brands tomato farm is also found in the town, which supply tomato products all over South Africa. Lutzville-West is separated from the main town and is known as the poorer area of the settlement. Integration will be needed in this regard. Tunnel farming can be found in this region in addition to vegetable farming and vineyards. Lutzville has a hotel that is located in the CBD. The CBD is not located along the main roads through town. It is located between DF Malan Street and Matzikama Road. The main intersection on the R362 and R363 is slowly developing into a commercial node (CBD) and the residential units along the R362, Stasie Road, are also slowing being converted into business premises. The industrial area is located along the R362 north of the R363. Photo 3.4.1.3a Water provision in Lutzville-West Photo 3.4.1.3b Commercial hub of Lutzville Photo 3.4. 1.3d Shishen-Saldanha rail bridge Photo 3.4.1.3e Agri-Mark in Lutzille Photo 3.4.1.3c Gravel roads in Lutzville-West Photo 3.4.1.3f Main road: Lutzville note business strip developing on the eastern side of the R362
page 159 e f b a c Figure 3.4.1.3 Aerial photograph: Lutzville
page 160 3.4.1.4 Klawer Population: 6 076 (Source: IDP 2012-2017) Klawer is named after the clover plant growing in the area that is rapidly becoming extinct. The settlement is located at the foot of the Gifberg Mountain that is known for its rooibos tea plantations, grain, fruit and vegetables. Klawer has the oldest train station in the municipality that serves the Olifants River valley. The biggest stone mine can be found here. The warm and welcoming settlement is famous for its caves and export farms. River rafting, wine tasting and historical sites are some of the tourist attractions found in the area. The settlement is an agricultural service centre and is also considered to be the gateway off the N7 to the Vredendal Lutzville development and intensive farming corridor along the Olifants River. The Windhoek farm located 1km outside Klawer is where a battle between the British troops and General Jan Smuts, during the Anglo Boer war, took place in 1902. Numerous rock art of the Bushmen and Khoi is found in sites in the mountains. Like Vanrhynsdorp, Klawer has a filling station located on the N7 that is frequently used by many travellers on this route. This filling station along with its associated restaurants and shops provide a pleasant gateway to Klawer. This settlement is well located along the Olifants River, the N7 and the Bitterfontein railway line. Photo 3.4.1.1a Main road Bothaville Photo 3.4.1.4a View of Klawer from R363 Photo 3.4.1.1b Eben Dönges Primary School Photo 3.4.1.4b Klawer Station: Oldest station in district Photo 3.4.1.1d Renovated Victorian House Photo 3.4.1.4d House in Klawer-North Photo 3.4.1.1e Vacant land between Bothaville CBD and Meyershof (looking north) Photo 3.4.1.4e Informal trading at Klawer Station Photo 3.4.1.1c Vacant land between Bothaville CBD and Meyershof (Iooking south) Photo 3.4.1.1f Bothaville NGK church (note the use of sandstone) Photo 3.4.1.4c Middle to high income houses Photo 3.4.1.4f Unprotected rail crossing within Klawer
page 161 c b e f c Figure 3.4.1.4 Aerial photograph: Klawer
page 162 3.4.1.5 Doringbaai Population: 1 378 (Source: IDP 2012-2017) Doringbaai is a coastal town with the Doringbaai lighthouse. This coastal settlement attracts tourists with its picturesque views, harbour and pier. This settlement is also known as the safest town in the country. Doringbaai was identified as one of the preferred port locations for the Sishen-Saldanha railway, but sea conditions here prevented its development. The DRDLR is currently planning the upgrading of the slipway at Doringbaai. The settlement used to be popular for fishing and boasts the most fish species in the area. However, one of the main fishing companies, Oceana, recently pulled out of the area. Photo 3.4.1.1a Main road Bothaville Photo 3.4.1.5a Lighthouse at Doringbaai Photo 3.4.1.1d Renovated Victorian House Photo 3.4.1.5d Paved roads in low income area Photo 3.4.1.1b Eben Dönges Primary School Photo 3.4.1.1e Vacant land between Bothaville CBD and Meyershof (looking north) Photo 3.4.1.5b Doringbaai Harbour and Pier Photo 3.4.1.5e Doringbaai as holiday destination Photo 3.4.1.1c Vacant land between Bothaville CBD and Meyershof (Iooking south) Photo 3.4.1.1f Bothaville NGK church (note the use of sandstone) Photo 3.4.1.5c View from Doringbaai main road Photo 3.4.1.5f Low income area of Doringbaai
page 163 b e c a d f Figure 3.4.1.5 Aerial photograph: Doringbaai