Kraaifontein


Kraaifontein is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is situated 31 km from Cape Town on the outskirts of the Cape Metropole and at the gateway of the Cape Winelands. The name originated from large number of crows that nest in the region.

Beginnings

In 1869 sub-division of farm land started in the area. In 1876 a railway station was formed called "Kraaifontein Junction". In 1877 formal town development started. The first school was established on 20 January 1908. The Dutch reformed church was founded in 1948. In the same year Kraaifontein got its own local authority. In 1954 the "Volkskerk van Afrika " was founded with Appollis,BJE, being the first preacher. On 16 September 1957, it became a municipality under the first Mayor JP Rossouw.

Today

It is located on the eastern outskirts of the Cape Metropole and forms part of the Cape Town's northern suburbs. It flanks the N1 towards Paarl and Worcester to the north and comprises several residential areas, namely Windsor Park, Scottsville, Peerless Park, Eikendal, Scottsdene, Bloekombos, Wallacedene, Belmont Park, Bonny Brook, and Uitzicht.
Libraries are funded and owned by the City of Cape Town Metropolitan municipality. These libraries are Kraaifontein Public Library, Scottsdene Public Library, and Eikendal Public Library. High Schools in the area are Monument Park, Eben Dönges, Bloekombos, Masibambane Secondary School, Simonsberg Primary School Scottsdene High School, Scottsville High School and Bernadino Heights High School.

Areas

Kraaifontein, encompassing the areas of Northpine, Scottsdene, Scottsville, Wallacedene, Eikendal and Bloekombos, was once a separate municipality before the restructuring of all South African municipalities during the late 90s. These areas, however, are listed as separate suburbs by the City of Cape Town for planning and statistical purposes. Forming part of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, it is located in its Subcouncil 2 Area, Bergdal.

Coat of arms

The Kraaifontein municipal council assumed a coat of arms, registered it with the Cape Provincial Administration in June 1964, had it granted by the provincial administrator in March 1967, and registered it at the Bureau of Heraldry in September 1969.
The arms, designed by Schalk Pienaar, were: Argent, a chevron Gules between in chief two heraldic fountains and in base a bunch of grapes leaved proper. The crest was a parson-crow, and the motto Non auro sed virtute. Together the crow and the fountains were a pun on the name of the town.