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HOW TO GET THERE (GPS: 32 40S 21 31E) From Beaufort West follow the N1 south towards Cape Town. The turnoff to Merweville is clearly signposted at Prince Albert Road. HISTORY By the late 1800s, a settlement was developed on the farm of one van der Bijl, a influential farmer who had built a church (later to be used as school), shop, post office and even a police station and jail on his farm. There were plans afoot to establish a congregation of the Dutch Reformed church on his farm which until then was occasionally used by Ds van der Merwe from Beaufort West. The Anglo Boer war interupted the plans and van der Bijl died on the first day of 1904. The church bought a portion of his farm from the estate and started with plans for a new church. Merweville was born. During the Boer War, a Australian soldier died here under his own hand. He was buried at the spot which today is marked as 'The Englismans Grave'. Today Merweville is still a small town wih a real 'old world' feel. The local economy is driven by sheep and game farming. ORIGINS OF THE NAME Named after Reverend P van der Merwe (1860-1940) chairman of the church council that established the town. POPULATION 2,000 PLACES OF INTEREST Merweville 'Englishmans' grave WHAT TO DO AND SEE Numerous rock painting sites Popular plains hunting area Walking Trails 4x4 routes ACCOMMODATION TOURISM OFFICE NEIGHBOURING TOWNS Prince Albert Road 43km Sutherland Fraserburg Beaufort West
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