Great Brak River (town)

Great Brak River
Groot-Brakrivier
Great Brak River
 Great Brak River shown within Western Cape
Great Brak River
Great Brak River (South Africa)
Great Brak River
Great Brak River (Africa)
Coordinates: 34°02′33″S 22°13′53″E / 34.04250°S 22.23139°E / -34.04250; 22.23139Coordinates: 34°02′33″S 22°13′53″E / 34.04250°S 22.23139°E / -34.04250; 22.23139
Country South Africa
Province Western Cape
District Eden
Municipality Mossel Bay
Area[1]
 • Total 22.06 km2 (8.52 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 10,619
 • Density 480/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 5.3%
 • Coloured 66.8%
 • Indian/Asian 0.5%
 • White 24.6%
 • Other 2.7%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Afrikaans 90.8%
 • English 5.4%
 • Sotho 1.1%
 • Xhosa 1.1%
 • Other 1.7%
Time zone UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street) 6525
PO box 6525

Great Brak River (Afrikaans: Groot-Brakrivier) is a coastal village in the Mossel Bay Local Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is a historic village built around the lagoon of the Great Brak River, 17 kilometres (11 mi) north-northeast of the town of Mossel Bay.

History

The town was founded by the Searle family of Surrey, England, of which the elder brother, Richard (originally a labourer), emigrated to South Africa under a government-sponsored scheme in 1845. He arrived in Great Brak River to work for the Central Road Board in 1850.[2] Richard's brother, Charles, and sister-in-law, Pamela, are credited with founding the village in 1859. The Searle family went on to become toll keepers (toll houses were operated by private contractors during the 1800s), and would establish shopping, accommodation, shoe-making and timber businesses in the village.

Modern day

Today, Great Brak River is chiefly a holiday destination, with beaches and the lagoon providing the major attractions. The island residential area is linked to the mainland by a single lane bridge. Other highlights in Great Brak River include a local history museum,[3] historic buildings built between 1852 and the mid-1930s, the Wolwedans Dam, and a restored power station dating back to the early 1900s. The 4-star Botlierskop Private Game Reserve[4] is the biggest commercial attraction in the Great Brak area, along with several small shops and restaurants located in the town center. The 250 year old shoe factory of Bolton Footware[5], originally started by the Searl family, is still in operation today in Groot Brak River and is one of the primary employers in the town.

Getting there

The town can easily be reached by vehicle using the N2 national highway that runs through the town. Great Brak River is halfway on the N2 between Mossel Bay to the west and George to the east. The nearest commercial airport is 15 km away at George International Airport to the east.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Great Brak River". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ The Story of Great Brak River, Margaret Franklin, 1975, reprinted 2009, C. Struik Publishers, Cape Town. ISBN 0-620-01619-1.
  3. ↑ Visit Mossel Bay | Great Brak River Museum | Blog Archive | Mossel Bay Tourism Accommodation Mossel Bay Real Estate Mossel Bay Restaurant Hotel Resort Mosselbaai
  4. ↑ Botlierskop
  5. ↑ http://www.bolwear.co.za/about/ Bolton Footware
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