Bergvliet

History

Bergvliet was formerly part of a large farm (called Groot Constantia), which was owned by then-Governor Simon van der Stel. He received the farm in 1685, and in 1716, the land was divided into two separate farmlands - Bergvliet and Constantia. A large part of the Constantia farmland remains today, as the Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia wine farms.

In 1769, then-owner Petrus Eksteen, built the Cape-Dutch homestead, Bergvliet Manor House, on the Bergvliet farm.

The estate was purchased by William Hertzog in 1865, and was later handed down to his sisters. Two roads in Bergvliet (Hertzog and Jeffcoat) are named after members of this family.

The farm was divided again in 1930, this time into a northern portion, known as Kreupelbosch, and the southern portion, called Bergvliet. These two areas remain today, as suburbs of the same name.

In 1945, the Division Council of the Cape purchased Bergvliet. Around this time, many portions of the farm were divided and sold.

In 1989, Bergvliet Manor House was declared to be a National Monument, and in 2011, it was recognized as a Provincial Heritage Site.

Geography

Bergvliet is bordered by Constantia to the west, Meadowridge to the north, Tokai to the south, and Heathfield to the east.

The suburb provides easy access to the M3 freeway, which runs north to Cape Town CBD, and south to Westlake.

Culture

Bergvliet is close to the Constantia mountain range, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Constantia wine valley, Meadowridge Library (one of Cape Town's top circulating libraries), and provides easy access to many nature trails, hikes, Muizenberg beach, and the scenic False Bay region.

The suburb is known for its tree-lined streets, peaceful lifestyle, and affluent homebuyers.

Bergvliet has a very active neighborhood watch (crime watch) called BKM, which stands for Bergvliet, Kreupelbosch and Meadowridge - the names of the member suburbs. A Public Benefit Organization registered with the City of Cape Town Department of Community Safety, BKM operates a security control room, and runs patrols of the area to maintain a safe environment for its homeowners.

Furthermore, the area's safety is bolstered by two local private security (armed response) companies - BH Security and Pro-Sec - both of which permanently station vehicles and guards throughout the area.

The area's ratepayers association, BMRA, is also very active, and works to protect the area, and ensure its natural environment remains sustainable.

The neighborhood houses the Bergvliet Squash Club, Bergvliet Tennis Club, and Bergvliet Sports Association.

Education

Bergvliet is home to three schools; Bergvliet High School, Bergvliet Primary School, and Sweet Valley Primary School. All three of these schools were built in the late 1940s to early 1950s. Bervliet is also close to Constantia Waldorf School.

A variety of preschool and early education centers service the area.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census, the population of Bergvliet was 4,428. In the same census, 2,313 (52.28%) Bergvliet residents were female, while 2,115 (47.74%) were male.

Commerce

Most of Bergvliet comprises large, detached homes, however, the suburb is home to a few commercial lots. The suburb has numerous shopping centers nearby, including Constantia Village, Constantia Emporium, Tokai On Main, Tokai Junction, Harry Goemans Center, Meadowridge Park n Shop, and 3Arts Village. It is also close to Blue Route Mall.

The suburb is also close to numerous private hospitals, including Constantiaberg Mediclinic and Melomed Tokai, as well as the Tokai Medicross clinic.

Governance

Bergvliet is managed by the Bergvliet Meadowridge Ratepayers Association (BMRA), which advocates on behalf of homeowners in the area, and neighboring Meadowridge. Established in 1947, and in its current form in 1973, the BMRA represents its residents and corresponds with the City of Cape Town on matters relevant to them.

The suburb is governed at the local level by Cape Town's Deputy Mayor, Eddie Andrews, a member of the centrist Democratic Alliance.

References

References

1. "Sub Place Bergvliet". Census 2011.
2. "Bergvliet - Where Community Matters". Chas Everitt.
3. "Greater Bergvliet". Chas Everitt.
4. "Bergvliet Area Information". Seeff.
5. "BMRA Area". BMRA.
6. "BKM Watch Homepage". BKM Watch.
7. "BH Security Homepage". BH Security.
8. "Pro-Sec Homepage". Pro-Sec.
9. "Neighbourhood watch: Empowering Communities for Safety". The City of Cape Town.
10. "Bergvliet Squash Club Homepage". Bergvliet Squash Club.
11. "Bergvliet Tennis Club Homepage". Bergvliet Tennis Club.
12. "Bergvliet Sports Association Facebook Page". Bergvliet Sports Association.
13. "Bergvliet High School - Contact Us". Bergvliet High School.
14. "Bergvliet". [[City of Cape Town]].
15. "BMRA - About Us". BMRA.
16. "Eddie Andrews (Deputy Mayor)". Bergvliet Meadowridge Ratepayers Association.