HISTORY OF THE STRAND IN SOUTH AFRICA

275pp., illus., maps, paperback, Turksvy, Cape Town, 2024

ISBN: 9780796194695

Danie Pienaar's history of the Strand, a seaside town situated between Somerset West and Gordon's Bay in the Western Cape, concludes in 1968.

Originally known as Mostert's Bay, the town was established as a fishing and holiday resort in 1714.  In 1970, under the Group Areas Act, people classified Black, Coloured and Asian were forcefully removed and the town was declared  a "Whites-only" resort. The Strand is now administered by the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality.

"The purpose of this book is to provide a general overview of the history of the Strand as a town as part of the history of South Africa but does not necessarily address the complete history of the Hottentots Holland basin. Historical farms, such as Vergelegen farm, and towns, such as Stellenbosch, had a natural influence on the development of the Strand and where necessary it is also contained in this book ..." Danie Pienaar, from his preface 

Danie Pienaar was born in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). His parents moved to the Strand in 1955, where he has lived ever since. He wrote articles for Drive Out magazine, BuiteBurger and MotorBurger, helped establish GO magazine, and wrote a column, “Danie sê”, in Landbouweekblad.