Surf South Africa: Muizenberg
Tuesday, August 7th, 2007
Muizenberg is a beach-side suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It is situated where the shore of the Cape Peninsula curves round to the east on the False Bay coast. It is considered to be the birthplace of surfing in South Africa and it is home to the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences.
In terms of history, the village has several special features, including Het Posthuys (the Post House), Rhodes’ Cottage and the site of the Battle of Muizenberg.
Rhodes’ Cottage is a small house on the seafront that Cecil John Rhodes bought as a holiday cottage and this was where he died in 1902. The house is preserved as a museum dedicated to Rhodes’ life and is open to the public.
Het Posthuys is one of the oldest buildings in South Africa, dating to circa 1742. It was built by the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Ost-Indische Compagne or VOC) as a toll-house to levy a tax on farmers passing by to sell their produce to ships lying in Simon’s Bay. One of the early postholders was Sergeant Muys (probably meaning “mouse”), from whom Muizenberg (formerly Muysenbergh and probably Muys Zijn Bergh (Mouse, his mountain) before that) gets its name. After a varied career as a police station, stables, brothel, hotel and private house the building was identified for what it was in the 1980’s and restored with funds from Anglo American Corporation. The house is cared for by the Muizenberg Historical Conservation Society and contains a small collection of photos and items of interest relating to early days in Muizenberg. It is open to the public.
The Battle of Muizenberg was a small but significant military affair that began in June 1795 and ended three months later with the (first) British occupation of the Cape. Thus began the period (briefly interrupted from 1804 to 1806) of British control of the Cape, and subsequently much of Southern Africa. The historical remnant of the Battle of Muizenberg is a site on the hillside overlooking False Bay that holds the remains of a defensive fort started by the Dutch in 1795 and expanded by the British from 1796 onwards.
Muizenberg has a fine, long beach that in effect stretches all the way round the top of False Bay to the Strand, a distance of over 20 km. False Bay, known for its population of White Sharks, also has a shark watch service that operates from Muizenberg, signalling alerts when sharks come in proximity of bathers and surfers. Above Muizenberg there is a line of steep cliffs that is very popular as a venue for rock climbing. However, certain parts of the cliff are off-limits to climbers when birds nest on the ledges.
Muizenberg houses one of the False Bay College campuses in the Cinnabar Building, a high-rise office tower. The college, a Public Further Education and Training Institution (FET), was established in September 2002 when the South Peninsula College (established 1970) and the Westlake College (established 1954) were merged. (“Muizenberg.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 9 Jun 2007, 08:58 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 7 Aug 2007
Muizenberg Surfing Links:
Surf Shack Surf School - Surfshack Surf School has everything you need to get into the surfing vibe: experienced instructors, excellent equipment, hot showers, coffee bar and plenty of stoke! Situated in Muizenberg, Cape Town, we are one of South Africa’s most popular surf schools.
Surfing Spots – Cape Peninsula (Muizenberg) – Surfing Spots south of Cape Town at Muizenberg and surrounding area
Surf-Forecast.com – Muizenberg South Africa Surf Forecast and Surf Reports
Where to stay in Muizenberg:
Ritz Hotel - The modern Ritz Hotel is located in Cape Town, South Africa, 300 metres from the beach. more…
Hotel Le Vendome - Situated in the cosmopolitan suburb of Sea Point, with picturesque views of the Atlantic coast and a mere fifty meters walk from the vibrant Sea Point promenade, Hôtel Le Vendôme is a luxury boutique more…
Winchester Mansions Hotel - This modernized 1920s hotel faces the ocean on Beach Road and is located on Cape Town’s famous Platinum Mile, 10 kilometers from Clifton Beach. more…
Lagoon Beach Hotel - Mandela Rhodes Place is located opposite St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town’s Old Town, South Africa and adjacent to a busy retail centre and inner city winery. more…
Mandela Rhodes Place – Mandela Rhodes Place is located opposite St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town’s Old Town, South Africa and adjacent to a busy retail centre and inner city winery. more…
Cape Grace Hotel – The modern Cape Grace Hotel is set on the bustling Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, in Cape Town, South Africa. Robben Island is 500 metres across the water. more…
The Twelve Apostles Hotel - Savor the play of light on mountain and sea from the comfort and tranquility of any of our 70 rooms and suites, all decorated with understated elegance and crisp cool linen. more…
The Commodore – The Commodore hotel is next door to the busy V and A waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. The hotel is five kilometres from Table Mountain. more…
Protea Hotel Cape Castle – The Protea Cape Castle is a modern aparthotel located directly adjacent to Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with magnificent views of the ocean. more…
Avenue Hotel – The Avenue Hotel was established in 1936, and is situated on the False Bay coastline in the small town of Fish Hoek, 500 meters from the beach and 40 kilometers from Cape Town. more…
