Protecting our equestrian heritage

Introduction

Although Durbanville was often called the town of the ox wagon, their can be little doubt that the horse played a important part in the transformation from the small VOC “uitspan” called Pampoenkraal to the town  D’Urban and later to  Durbanville. The inventory rolls of the earliest farms in the Tygerberg in the early 1700’s lists a significant number of horses.  The resolutions of the political council frequently list expeditions on horse back from the Tygerberg region to explore northern regions or to regain stolen cattle.  The full article and references sited can be obtained from the society at a small fee. Please request a copy.

Humble beginnings

As the little town developed it acquired an English atmosphere the informal Durban Hunt Club had its first outing near the town (perhaps close to the original race course) under the name, the Cape Hunt Club in 1843. Duminy from farm Welgemoed played a large roll in the creation of the club. The second well documented equestrian related activity in Durbanville was the large Cape Voluntary Mounted rifles review in that took place in 1859 hosted by the D’Urban (Durbanville) Cavalry. See advertisement in the Cape Argus of 1859 below.

Horse Racing at Durbanville

Horse racing is a hugely popular sport in South Africa, with regular racing taking place around the country. The sport in South Africa enjoys a long and rich history that can be traced back to 1797! The first recorded race club meeting took place five years later in 1802. It is not well known that hose racing was held a from 1898 onwards on the current Durbanville race course! These races were held partly for fun and recreation but also to finance the accommodation of the hunting club’s dogs. Next year will be the 110’th birthday of official equestrian sport at the current race course Durbanville!

The Cape Hunt and Polo

The Cape Hunt follows a long tradition of riding to hounds in the Cape, going back over 180 years. The Cape Hunt holds the distinction of being the oldest of the 'new world' hunts dating back to 1822. The first Cape Hunt foxhounds originated from the English Beaufort Hunt and were imported into South Africa by the then Cape Governor, Lord Charles Somerset. They were originally kept in kennels at Lord Charles Somerset’s Hunting Lodge. This Lodge is now the Somerset House Primary School. The Cape Hunt and Polo Club is situated in Durbanville on Racecourse Street. The racecourse was established as the Durbanville Gymkhana Club in 1922. It changed to the Durbanville Turf Club in 1956 and later amalgamated with the Milnerton Turf Club under the name of the Cape Turf Club. Later it became know as the Cape Hunt & Polo Club. Racing takes place on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as polo and gymkhana competitions and practices. Today the club is well known for national and international events and a major tourist attraction for Durbanville. Read more on their WEB site.

Our Green Heritage

Mrs. R Linder, Dr WPO Jackson and Prof A Barnard, who where walking near the Durbanville Race Course, prompted the National Council of Women to establish a nature reserve in the area. The Town Council was approached and 4 hectares were made available. Under the guidance of Jackie Boreham and Janet Starke the National Council of Women laid out paths and brought some order to this strip of fynbos 1963 the Municipality gave a further 2 hectares of disused rubbish dump and fenced the entire area. Farmers of the area were called to assist with the clearing of the Port Jackson in the new area. A local farmer, Koos Eksteen offered to plant proteas and so the Durbanville Nature Reserve began, although the Department of Nature Conservation only proclaimed it as a reserve in 1966. This nature reserve aims to promote, protect and further the interest in this unique area of fynbos. The Nature Reserve is open to the public throughout the week and will be severely impacted if adjacent open green space of the race course be replaced by a concrete jungle. 

What can you do ?

It is clear that we have a unique cultural heritage and tourist attraction that must be preserved for the future generation. Together with the nature reserve it forms a “green” open space for a town that is fast becoming a city. It must be promoted by ratepayers, conservationists, tourist angencies and heritage associations with the same passion and vigor as the common in Rondebosch for example.  We all have the right to beauty of this heritage and should all Endeavour to protect this asset of Durbanville. Please contact us for any  concerns related to the protection of this heritage. We need your input to make a difference !