Page 72 - Bulletin 19 2015

69

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE HISTORY

OF THE SILVERMINE VALLEY AND FARMS

Derek Stuart-Findlay

Introduction

The Steenberg mountains have always been a visual and transport barrier between the

northern and southern halves of the Peninsula. Historically, the steep slopes on the Tokai side
impeded wheeled transport southwards and the main road between Table Bay and Simon’s

Bay therefore ran along the flat ground along the Diep River Valley from Wynberg to

Muizenberg, and then on along the False Bay coast. It was known as the Grote Weg na de
Caap and, according to General Gordon’s map of 1778, the journey took five hours to

Muizenberg and another two hours to Simon’s Bay.

The Silvermine Valley has always been strategic to the South Peninsula because it is the

natural route to and from the Steenberg Plateau. Its perennial river was also a major resource
for human consumption, stock-watering, and irrigation. It has a long history of occupation

and historic structures date back to the earliest era of colonial settlement in the Cape.

But for thousands of years before this the area was inhabited by Khoisan groups of hunter-
gathers and pastoralists. They and their cattle would have made tracks over Steenberg

Mountain following the easiest and logical routes, and always keeping near water and natural

shelter. It is probable that these same tracks were used later by colonists journeying over the
mountain for a variety of purposes.

Significant historic events

Significant events that took place during the period 1652 - 1743 in the valley and its wider
setting are: