Riebeek East

Riebeek East
Riebeek-Oos

Riebeek East
Riebeek East

 Riebeek East shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 33°12′S 26°09′E / 33.200°S 26.150°ECoordinates: 33°12′S 26°09′E / 33.200°S 26.150°E
Country South Africa
Province Eastern Cape
District Cacadu
Municipality Makana
Area[1]
 • Total 22.46 km2 (8.67 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 753
 • Density 34/km2 (87/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 65.9%
 • Coloured 26.6%
 • Indian/Asian 0.1%
 • White 7.3%
 • Other 0.1%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Xhosa 63.8%
 • Afrikaans 32.3%
 • English 2.9%
 • Other 0.9%
Postal code (street) 5805
PO box 5805

Riebeek East (Afrikaans: Riebeek-Oos) is a village in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, set 42 km west of Grahamstown. It is located in a hilly area, in the midst of game and sheep farming regions. It was founded in 1842, and initially named Riebeek after Jan van Riebeeck, one year after the local church was built.[2] It was erected on a part of the farm Mooimeisjesfontein,[3] that was subdivided and sold by the subsequent voortrekker leader Piet Retief.

A settlement appeared around the church congregation after it was established here in 1830 by the Dutch Reformed Church.[4] Since 1826 the local farmers applied to the colonial government to form a local congregation, as they previously had to travel to Uitenhage, 130 km distant, to attend communion services.[4]

Retief's farm house is situated just east of the village, and has been declared a National heritage site.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Riebeek East". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ Riebeek East, African Nights, retrieved 26 Jan 2011
  3. ↑ Raper, R.E. (1987). "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names". Human Research Council. p. 383. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Riebeek East, Adventure Province, retrieved 26 Jan 2011