“White Sands,” they called it. Here at Witsand, the name speaks of the pristine beauty that has drawn people for centuries.
Witsand, a coastal town in the Western Cape, is more than just a pretty beach. It is a place steeped in history and natural wonder.
In the 16th century, Portuguese explorers sailed into St Sebastian’s Bay, now known as Witsand. Navigator Manuel De Mesquita Perestrello saw the promise of a fine natural anchorage. Later, in the 17th century, Captain Benjamin Moodie established a trading company. He opened the bay to trade.
Many ships met their end here from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Merchant ships and sailing vessels alike sank, leaving their stories beneath the waves.
The early 20th century saw settlers building homes near the Breede River mouth. This land belonged to the Moodie family. The village of White Sands emerged on the Westfield farm. The southwestern corner of the farm was marked “Whitesands” on old maps. This was because of the moving white sand dunes. Witsand was officially proclaimed a town in 1909.
But long before European settlers, this area was a hub of human activity. Stone-Age sites reveal that people lived here between the 17th and 19th centuries. The pastoralist Koranna people were the first settlers. They were followed by the Tswana people, and eventually the Europeans.
Witsand’s ecosystem remained largely unchanged for 40,000 years. However, increased grazing from the 1950s caused critical damage to the dune vegetation. In 1993 and 1994, the area was declared a protected zone.
Today, Witsand boasts 4 kilometers of clean, sandy beaches. Cape Fynbos surrounds it, with the Breede River flowing nearby. This town is known as the Whale Nursery of South Africa. Whales gather in the bay between June and November.
Witsand offers water sports and adventures. Kite-surfing, surfing, standup paddle boarding, and fishing are popular. The town is in the Hessequa region, also known as the Explorer’s Garden Route.
Did you know that some of the largest bull sharks have been caught in the Breede River near Witsand? Fortunately, there have been no recorded shark attacks on people to date.
Also, Witsand serves as the finish line for the annual Vlakte Marathon, held each November. Witsand is moving towards the future. Most merchants in the town accept the currency.
The British colonial government granted the Westfield farm to Captain Benjamin Moodie in 1831. In the late 1800s, the Moodie family allowed people from Heidelberg to vacation here. They knew Witsand for its good fishing and white sandy beach.
Early visitors camped in reed huts and tents. Later, Benjamin and Donald Moodie allowed fishermen to build cottages. As more people wanted beach cottages, the Moodies divided the farm into plots. These plots were officially recorded as Witsand in 1908.
Imagine those early days, the simple stone house called the Ou Pastorie. It belonged to Reverend Alexander Daneel. He was the first pastor of the Heidelberg Dutch Reformed Church.
Today, Witsand is more than just a historical landmark. It is a place where the past and present meet. A solar-powered desalination plant is under development. It promises to produce 100,000 liters of potable water daily.
As you stand here in Witsand, take in the beauty around you. Feel the sand between your toes and listen to the waves. Remember the stories of explorers, settlers, and the natural wonders that make this place so special.