Cape Town's first Motor Car

The first motor car to be used in Cape Town arrived on South African shores in 1898. The car was a Royal Enfield Quad and was imported by a Mr.W. Jenkins who was a manager of Garlicks Cycle Supply, which was a department of the Garlicks Store. The car was later sold to Sir Alfred Hennessey.

It is told that Mr.Jenkins first started the vehicle in front of the Garlicks store. As he travelled up Lower St.George's Street he lost control of the vehicle and charged the crowd who were watching the event. An Irish policeman is reputed to have admonished him by saying " when you next intend to go motoring, may I suggest you leave that machine behind" (-:)

Kirstenbosch Gardens

Most Capetonians have paid a visit to the famed Kirstenbosch botanical gardens in their city. I wonder if those who made this journey know the following about this venue:

The gardens were originally started up when Jan van Riebeek, the Dutch founder of the Cape, planted a bitter almond hedge on the boundary of the Dutch East India company's land in 1660. He did this so as to keep the companies cattle in a place of safekeeping. The land was then developed into a garden. In 1795 the land was bought by Mr.J.F.Kirsten and the botanical gardens got named after him. After being owned by Hendrik Cloete and then Cecil John Rhodes it was on the death bequest of the latter in 1902 that the Kirstenbosch Gardens became the property of the nation  and in 1913 it was declared to be a national monument.


Mostert's Mill in Cape Town

When driving past the University of Cape Town one cannot miss seeing a windmill on the side of the road. This mill is the oldest surviving windmill in South Africa and was built in 1796 on a farm called Welgelegen (Translated -= Good living) owned by Gysbert van Reenen.

The question that always comes up is where did the name Mostert come from? The the answer lies in the fact that on Van Renen's death his son-in-law Sybrand Mostert inherited the mill and the building was named after him.


St. James

In the early 1850's there was a group of Filipino fishermen who on Sunday's used to row from the area close to Muizenberg across the bay to Simonstown so as to attend church services. Their spiritual needs overtook their rowing needs (-:) and this led to the building of the church in their area that we today know as the St.James Church. The magically scenic area in which this church was built soon became known by the name of St.James.  Most people know that the village was named after the church but I wonder how many current residents of St.James actually know this piece of history revolving around how the church itself came about being part of their village.?


Just Nuisance

Most people who arrive in Simonstown find out about the dog who has such fame in this town called Just Nuisance. This Great Dane became famous when he was given the naval ranking of Able Seaman in the Royal Navy. If one goes up to Klaver Camp just above Simonstown one can see AS Just Nuisance's grave. There it can be seen that Just Nuisance died on 1 April 1944. I wonder how many folk know that according to the records Just Nuisance was born on the same day of the year that he died namely 1 April 1937. At birth he was registered under name "The Pride of Rondebosch"  with the SA Kennel Union.


Articles submitted by: Selwyn Davidowitz
Email:cptn@mail.com

SATOUR accredited tourguide with an immense passion for Cape Town and its surrounds. To see more about Selwyn's services as a tourguide please click here .