West Coast and Cederberg

Malmesbury in the Swartland

The Swartland region of the Western Cape extends from Darling near the west coast to Porterville in the east and Piketberg in the north. However, the landscape is not black, as the name suggests. The dusky rhinoceros bush that gave this region its name has been replaced by tilled fields in winter khakis and summer greens.

Malmesbury is the largest town and its grain silos leave you in no doubt as to its principal industry. Accordingly, the town boasts the country's oldest milling company, Bokomo, which is ninety years old. Tours are offered. The sandy, marsh and renosterveld (rhino grass) vegetation erupt with spring flowers in season and can be enjoyed in all their splendour in the nearby Kalbaskraal Nature Reserve.

The biggest co-operative wine cellar in South Africa is one of the highlights of the Swartland Wine Route whose six cellars can be found within forty minutes from Cape Town. These include those at Piketberg and Porterville. Swartland Wine Cellar's policy of paying for quality rather than quantity when buying its grapes has ensured a string of awards for their extensive range of forty-seven wines. The cellar's most well-known product is the sweet, honey-flavoured nectar called Hanepoot (Muscat d' Alexandrie) which is popular as a dessert wine.

Malmesbury Golf Club, Malmesbury

In addition to mountain-biking trails, 4x4 routes, hiking trails and freshwater angling in the area, the leafy 9-hole golf course has an added attraction - a fine view of Table Mountain.

Malmesbury Museum, Malmesbury

South Africa's Jewish community originated when refugees escaped from Russia during the Russo-Turko war of 1877. One such intrepid exile walked the fifty kilometres from Cape Town to Malmesbury in 1901 settled there and opened a shop. In 1911 the synagogue followed. Later years, however, saw the once flourishing Jewish population dwindle in favour of city life and the synagogue fell into disuse only to be revived today as the Malmesbury Museum.

Kasteelberg Hiking Trail, Malmesbury

There are two one-day hiking routes on the farm Spes Bona on the slopes of the Kasteel Mountains which Malmesbury shares with its more picturesque neighbour, Riebeeck Kasteel. A fine view of both can be had along the shorter two-hour route and the longer four-hour amble. Neither are too strenuous under the energetic summer sun. A remnant of yellowwood forest can be seen. Hikers huts are available for overnighters.