Struisbaai

Struisbaai
Struisbaai

 Struisbaai shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 34°48′16″S 20°03′27″E / 34.80444°S 20.05750°ECoordinates: 34°48′16″S 20°03′27″E / 34.80444°S 20.05750°E
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.

History

The exact origins of the name of Struisbaai, however, is still a subject of debate. The various historical stories uncover 3 different origins for the name of the town. The first being accredited to the thatch or straw (strooi in Afrikaans) roofs of the fisherman cottages scattered along the coast. Another is the ostriches ("struisvogel" in Dutch) that used to call this area their home, while others believe the name was derived from an old Dutch word meaning "huge" given due to the long stretches of beach. The last origin seems more plausible as Struisbaai holds the longest beach in the Southern Hemisphere which stretches for a total of 14 kilometers.

Struisbaai also hosts the annual Geelstertfees (Yellowtail festival) which revolves around foodstalls, artists and musical performers. Other Top Attractions in the town include the colourful, bustling Struisbaai Harbour where visitors can see the traditional fisherman bring in their daily catch and buy fresh fish. Also not to be missed, is the resident stingray Parrie making an appearance.

References

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

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Struisbaai.