Struisbaai

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Struisbaai
Struisbaai
 Struisbaai shown within South Africa
Coordinates: 34°48′16″S 20°03′27″E / 34.80444°S 20.05750°E / -34.80444; 20.05750Coordinates: 34°48′16″S 20°03′27″E / 34.80444°S 20.05750°E / -34.80444; 20.05750
Country South Africa
Province Western Cape
District Overberg
Municipality Cape Agulhas
Area[1]
 • Total 14.34 km2 (5.54 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 3,877
 • Density 270/km2 (700/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 12.6%
 • Coloured 50.3%
 • Indian/Asian 0.4%
 • White 35.5%
 • Other 1.2%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Afrikaans 85.2%
 • English 9.0%
 • Xhosa 2.6%
 • Other 3.2%
Postal code (street) 7285
PO box 7285
Area code 028

Struisbaai is a coastal settlement in the Overberg region of South Africa's Western Cape province. The town is in the Cape Agulhas Local Municipality in the Overberg District, circa two hundred kilometers south east of Cape Town, and four kilometers from Cape Agulhas, which is the southernmost point of the African continent.

The town is an old fishing village which for many years sported a beautiful natural harbour. Some development has taken place since then but Struisbaai is still relatively untouched by the rigours of overdevelopment. Many fishermen still reside in this settlement but it is now known better for its leisure activities, which include fishing, horseriding, hiking, paintball, quadbiking and diving.

Struisbaai also hosts the annual Geelstertfees (Yellowtail festival) which revolves around foodstalls, artists and musical performers. Visitors can walk around the harbour, see the traditional fishermen bring home their catch, and buy fresh fish.

There is some debate as to the origin of the name "Struisbaai". Some authorities believe that it means "straw bay", referring to the thatch roofs of the fishermen’s cottages here. Others claim the name is derived from the Dutch "struisvogel" / Afrikaans "voelstruis" - which translates as ostrich in English, apparently many of the local farmers kept these birds on their farms. According to legend however, Struisbaai is named for the size of its beach - an old Dutch word for "huge" which would not be surprising since Struisbaai sports the longest natural beach in the Southern Hemisphere which stretches for a total of fourteen kilometers.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Struisbaai". Census 2011. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Struisbaai.
Municipalities and communities of Overberg District Municipality, Western Cape
District seat: Bredasdorp
Cape Agulhas
Overstrand
Swellendam
Theewaterskloof
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