Picture this. You stand at Kloof Corner. The wind whispers secrets of centuries past. This isn’t just any viewpoint. It’s a place steeped in history.
Kloof Corner is perched high above Cape Town. It offers breathtaking views. It’s part of the iconic Table Mountain chain. The path to this incredible spot winds through fynbos. It’s a journey that rewards effort with unparalleled beauty.
Originally this area was part of a farm. It was called Tafelberg. Andries van Tonderen owned it. Later William Cowie bought it for a substantial sum. He was a Voortrekker. He’d arrived in Natal with a group led by J J Uys. Cowie was a land speculator. He sold Tafelberg to William Swan Field.
William Swan Field was quite a figure. He worked as an Acting Collector of Customs. He was also a Surveyor and Landing Waiter in Port Natal. He eventually requested transfer of the farm. Governor Pine granted it. The farm was renamed Richmond No 999. It covered a vast area. It encompassed what we now know as Kloof. It also included Forest Hills Wyebank Padfield Park Surprise Farm and Motala Farm.
The name Richmond might honour Lady Sarah Lennox. She was the wife of Sir Peregrine Maitland. He was the Governor at the Cape of Good Hope. It’s also possible it references Richmond in Surrey. The Kloof Coat of Arms reflects this heritage.
Imagine ox-wagons traversing this landscape. The nearest shop was far away. Residents were largely self-sufficient. They sent goods to Durban by ox-wagon. In return they received supplies. The arrival of the railway changed things. It opened through Krantz Kloof in 1879. John Coote Field famously negotiated with the railway. He ensured a water supply for steam engines. This resulted in a train stop near his farm.
Krantz Kloof Station was built in 1890. It served as a church and post office. It later became a telephone exchange. The name changed to Kloof Station in 1922. The station building was rebuilt in 1924. It now serves as a pub and restaurant.
Kloof flourished. A dam and purification works provided running water. Electricity arrived in 1928. In 1961 Kloof became a borough. Today it’s part of eThekwini Municipality.
From this viewpoint you see more than just a view. You see layers of history. You see the legacy of pioneers settlers and visionaries. You see the endurance of nature. You see a story unfolding before you. And you are part of that story now.