VANRHYNSDORP - The Town South Africa Forgot (And Must Save)

Hi everyone! In this video, I explore the town of Vanrhynsdorp - the oldest and southernmost town in the Namaqualand region of South Africa. It is situated in the Western Cape and is approximately 300 kilometres from Cape Town, and acts as an entry point to the Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo regions. It is a key transport node as it is here where the N7 (the Cape-Namibia route) and the R27 (a key road connecting the Western and the Northern Cape via the Vanrhyns pass designed by Thomas Bain) intersect. Transport is a key theme throughout this video as it directly affects the town in a positive and negative manner. Today, the town functions as a regional commercial hub, supporting a sizable sheep farming district. The town serves as a key stopover for long-haul trucks, buses, and travelers moving goods and people across these major routes. Because of this constant traffic, businesses in the transport sector - like logistics companies, fuel stations, and tyre suppliers - play a crucial role. In this way, Vanrhynsdorp isn’t just a town on the map; it’s a vital node in South Africa’s transport and trade network. But its importance extends beyond business. I start the vlog by grabbing a Costa coffee (yes, not everyday you see a Costa in South Africa!) at one of the fuel stations, before setting out to explore the historical parts of town with a map I drew by hand, due to the absence of a Tourist Information Office and hence no official tourist map. I then walk towards the oldest building in town, and talk about the history of Vanrhynsdorp. Vanrhynsdorp traces its European exploration back to 1661, when Pieter van Meerhoff first arrived in the area. Vanrhynsdorp’s history is closely linked to two notable figures, both sharing the Van Rhijn surname - though with slightly different spellings. The earliest, Hendrik van Rhijn, played a pivotal role in the 18th century by establishing the Troe-Troe Mission Station, which laid the foundation for the settlement that would eventually become Vanrhynsdorp. His work included the construction of the Trutro Homestead in 1751, which still stands today as a testament to the town’s early European mission history. In 1881, the town was renamed Vanrhynsdorp in honor of Petrus Benjamin van Rhyn, a prominent local leader who contributed significantly to the growth of the community. While Hendrik van Rhijn is remembered for his missionary and settlement work, Petrus Benjamin van Rhyn’s legacy lies in his civic leadership and the enduring influence he had on the town’s development. Together, these two men represent the historical and cultural threads that shaped Vanrhynsdorp - from its early mission roots to its establishment as a thriving regional hub. Our next stop is 'Skoorsteentjie Padstal', an iconic institution in the town. It is here where many travellers over many decades stopped for a coffee and a bite to eat, and still today it operates as a farm stall and coffee shop. Here I also learn more about legendary residents including Willie 'Witkop' van Zyl, who held many positions in Vanrhynsdorp. Afterwards, I visit the Dutch Reformed Church and its Flower Market ('Blommemark') where I notice more arts and crafts. I then set off to explore more of the town itself and stumble across the school, old commercial buildings and a charity shop. I notice the terrible state of the road infrastructure in town - not Vanrhynsdorp's fault - but clearly needs attention. If you know of any solutions to a complex transport problem, let me know in the comments! I give a fairly comprehensive tour of the Namaqua Lodge where I stayed for a night, including the common areas and of course my room. With the weather taking a turn for the better, I continue walking in town and notice that the Museum is closed, but right next to it I visit the 'Ou Tronk' ('Old Jail') which now functions as both a nursery and museum. Here I notice an incredible collection of plants and various vintage items. At the other end of town, I visit 'Kokerboom Nursery' (Quiver Tree Nursery), taking in the wonderful flora and enjoying another coffee at the coffee shop. My understanding is that there are seven registered succulent nurseries in town, earning it the title of a succulent haven. My final stop is the Letsatsi Lodge where I visit a Catholic church adorned with original Afrikaans inscriptions and murals, highlighting the area's deep-rooted missionary history. The vlog ends with my thought on Vanrhynsdorp, implying that South Africa has a duty to take better care of this town. I hope you enjoy this vlog! If you haven't done it yet, please press the LIKE and SUBSCRIBE buttons, and leave a comment for me in the COMMENTS section. This is the last vlog I took during my sabbatical and also my last vlog of 2025. I will now consider options to take my channel to the next level, so let me know if you have any ideas. Let's build something special together! Month of filming: August 2025. Happy exploring! Willie