The History of Durbanville

Durbanville, founded in the early 19th century, was originally known as Pampoenkraal. In 1836 it was renamed D'Urban in honour of Sir Benjamin D'Urban, Governor of the Cape, and in 1886 it was renamed Durbanville to avoid confusion with the port city of Durban.

In 1806 the first portions of land were earmarked as residential properties, signifying the start and development of Durbanville.

Pampoenkraal's inception can be traced to a fresh water spring, still in existence. The name was attributed to the town because of a pumpkin patch growing alongside a dam located behind the current Town Hall. The village grew rapidly after the turn of the 19th century and a local wagon industry developed. The King Brothers Wagon Works' used to be South Africa's biggest wagon works.

Durbanville had its own courthouse, jail and magistrate from the 1870s and became a Magisterial District of Bellville. The courthouse complex still exists in altered form within the Rust-en-Vrede complex. During the late 1600s, the VOC allocated farms to free burghers situated around the town. Some of those farms are still in existence today, many of which are renowned for their wine production. These include Bloemendal, Meerendal, Diemersdal and Altydgedacht.

Durbanville is a unique rural town with a sophisticated infrastructure. There is so much more going on than the daily school run. This is a neighbourhood filled with great experiences for everyone to enjoy. For information, click here.

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