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MERWEVILLE

Main Road, Merweville Merweville dwelling Merweville dwelling

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
  • See "Where to Stay"

    TOURISM OFFICE


    NEIGHBOURING TOWNS
    Prince Albert Road 43km
    Sutherland
    Fraserburg
    Beaufort West

    Merweville dwelling Grave of Australian soldier dating to Boer war Sheepfarming - an important part of the local economy a 'Scarecrow' that scares Gemsbok from the fence