Old Swellendam Main Street with Church.

The home of Swellendam Heritage Conservation

Established in 1959 and is the largest and oldest non-governmental (NGO) organisation involved in heritage conservation.

View of old Swellendam from above.Works in field in old Swellendam.Illustration of wild fynbos flowers.
Old map of South Africa showing Swellendam.

The History of Swellendam

As one of the oldest established towns in South Africa, it important to look not just at the history of Swellendam itself, but how it came to be. *As published in Treasures of Swellendam, 2018 Version.

Year 1500.Swellendam San and Khoekhoen.

San & Khoekhoen

San (Bushman) hunter-gatherers and Khoekhoen livestock herders inhabited the Western Cape for thousands of years before Europeans arrived in southern Africa. The Khoekhoen had acquired cattle from Bantu-speaking people in the interior of southern Africa about 2 000 years before. They also had unique ridgebacked dogs. The Khoekhoen around Swellendam were part of the Hessequa chiefdom.

Swellendam Drostdy. Complex.
R160 per person

Become a member

We aim to encourage the public to preserve our cultural and natural heritage; to stimulate pride and personal interest in conservation by encouraging group projects and voluntary efforts to conserve and improve the environment; to set the work of the SHA on a sound economic basis by raising funds and using such funds for conservation projects and the stimulation of others to conserve and preserve our cultural and natural heritage; to co-operate with all relevant authorities and organisations in pursuit of the aims and objectives of the SHA.

Join

Latest articles

Keep up to date with new dicussions, information or additions

Our Publications

Available through Bokmakiri Boeke, limited stock.

What's Happening

Feb 15, 2024
-
Feb 16, 2024

SHA trip to Still Bay

Blombos cave museum, - Sanet van Deventer, Information centre feeding of eels - Mariaan Harris, visit. to the beach to see ancient fish traps- Deon Begeman

Learn More
Nov 24, 2023
-

SHA end of year celebration

The annual celebration evening will this year be held at the Swellendam Golf Club

Learn More
Oct 6, 2023
-
Oct 8, 2023

SHA visit to PRINCE ALBERT

We have now secured the weekend of the 6, 7, and 8 October as THE date. The itinerary is still in the planning phase but looks a bit like this at present.

Learn More
Sep 20, 2023
-

"The History Horsetery of the Boer War " Professor Sandra Swart

Horses were imported to South Africa from many different countries to participate in this war. The ask of these willing creatures was huge. Sandra's talk will give us a unique view of this war from a

Learn More
Featured

From the archives

The Bonnievale Irrigation Canal by Theuns Coetzee

Check it out
The Bonnievale Irrigation Canal by Theuns Coetzee

Your committee

Meet your committee members! Click to expand more information.
Philip Bromley

Philip Bromley

Chairman
Close Modal Arrow.
Hennie Steyn

Hennie Steyn

History, Research & Publications
Close Modal Arrow.
Carol Podd

Carol Podd

Vice Chairman, Communications, Social Media & Website
Close Modal Arrow.
Derek Weightman

Derek Weightman

Secretary
Close Modal Arrow.
Margie Walker

Margie Walker

Treasurer, Journal s
Close Modal Arrow.
Tanja Kruger

Tanja Kruger

Close Modal Arrow.
Join us at Swellendam Heritage Association

Become a member

Old Swellendam Main Street and Atlantic Petrol Station.