Knysna
View of Knysna, the Lagoon and Thesen Island
Knysna  Knysna shown within Western Cape
Coordinates: 34°02′08″S 23°02′56″E / 34.03556°S 23.04889°E / -34.03556; 23.04889Coordinates: 34°02′08″S 23°02′56″E / 34.03556°S 23.04889°E / -34.03556; 23.04889
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
District	Eden
Municipality	Knysna
Established	1871[1]
Area[2]
• Total	108.77 km2 (42.00 sq mi)
Population (2011)[2]
• Total	51,078
• Density	470/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[2]
• Black African	42.8%
• Coloured	36.8%
• Indian/Asian	0.5%
• White	18.3%
• Other	1.6%
First languages (2011)[2]
• Afrikaans	45.6%
• Xhosa	34.4%
• English	14.7%
• Other	5.3%
Postal code (street)	6570
PO box	6570
Area code	044

Knysna (/ˈnaɪznə/; probably from a Khoikhoi word meaning "ferns")^[3][4] is a town with 51,078 inhabitants in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and is part of the Garden Route. It lies 34 degrees south of the equator, and is 72 kilometres east from the town of George on the N2 highway, and 25 kilometres west of Plettenberg Bay on the same road.

History[edit]

Little is known about the indigenous inhabitants of Knysna, the Khoikhoi. The area east of present-day George was separated by high mountains and deep gorges, making it virtually inaccessible to European travelers.

European settlement[edit]

The SS Agnar tows an unknown sailing ship into Knysna Harbour in 1910.

Nevertheless, the first Europeans arrived in the area in 1760, and the farm Melkhoutkraal (literally translating from Afrikaans as 'milk wood kraal’) was established on the eastern shore of the Knysna Lagoon. Stephanus Terblans, the first European farmer to settle in the area, was given a loan permit to farm here in 1770.

Upon moving to Knysna George Rex, a British-born entrepreneur credited as being the founder of Knysna, acquired the loan rights to Melkhoutkraal in 1804 and later, in 1816, to the farm Welbedacht, which he renamed Eastford.^[5] He gave 80 acres of Eastford to the Colonial Government, on which the Royal Navy established the township of Melville. Rex’s properties were sold when he died in 1839.

In April 1817, the transport brig Emu, belonging to the Cape Town Dockyard, was the first European vessel to enter the Knysna heads. She struck a rock, now known as Emu Rock, and was holed.^[6] Her crew ran Emu ashore to prevent her sinking. In late April HMS Podargus arrived to render assistance.^[7] After surveying the area, Podargus sailed safely into the Knysna and retrieved Emu‍ '​s cargo.^[6]

The next major settler in Knysna was Captain Thomas Henry Duthie, who married Caroline, George Rex’s daughter, and bought a portion of the Uitzigt farm from his father-in-law which Rex had named Belvidere.^[8] The construction of a small Norman-style church was commissioned by Duthie on his property, and was consecrated in 1855. The settlement’s population grew slowly, and Englishmen such as Henry Barrington and Lt. Col. John Sutherland, who established the settlement of Newhaven on a portion of purchased land, settled in the area. At the time, Knysna was a field cornetcy of Plettenberg Bay within the Magisterial Division of George. In 1858, Knysna became a separate Magisterial Division, new stores and accommodation facilities were opened, and Knysna became the new commercial centre of the region.

On their way to New Zealand, the Thesen family who were travelling from Norway fancied the little hamlet of Knysna so much that they decided to stay, bringing with them their knowledge of commerce and sailing. Soon, timber was being exported to the Cape from the vast areas of forest surrounding Knysna, and a steam sawmill and small shipyard were established. Later, these were relocated to Paarden Island, later known as Thesen’s Island.

Millwood Gold Rush[edit]

Millwood House Museum

In 1878, a very important discovery was made in the area. A gold nugget was found in the Karatara River, near Ruigtevlei. Soon fortune hunters from all over the world arrived at the Millwood Forest in search of gold, and Millwood grew into a bustling town. Millwood was declared a gold field, the first in South Africa. However, soon not enough gold was recovered to sustain a growing town, and the mining industry in the area collapsed. Some miners relocated to Knysna, bringing their little homes with them. One of the houses, known as ‘Millwood House’, now functions as a museum.

Amalgamation and timber industry[edit]

By 1880 over 1000 people had settled in Knysna.^[9] In 1882, the settlements of Newhaven, Melville and the “wedge” of land between the two villages were amalgamated to form the municipality of ‘The Knysna’, named after the Knysna River.

Knysna’s timber industry peaked when George Parkes arrived from Britain and saw the opportunity to use the hardwoods of the Knysna Forest for export to elsewhere in the country, and even overseas. He established the Knysna Forest Company, later renamed Geo. Parkes and Sons Ltd., which is still trading to this day.

Geography[edit]

Knysna Lagoon, an estuary

The town is primarily built on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary, known as the Knysna Lagoon, which is fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between two large headlands. These are popularly known as "The Heads", and have become infamous due to the loss of boats and fishermen passing through their treacherous and unpredictable waters. Near them are geological formations, known locally as "The Map Stones." To the north of Knysna, Afro-Montane or temperate rainforest covers the hilly terrain for 20 km until changing to fynbos or macchia high up in the Outeniqua Mountains.

Climate[edit]

Knysna has an oceanic climate (Cfb in the Köppen climate classification). Summers are hot and winters mild to chilly. During the summer, the average maximum temperature reaches about 25°C and rarely goes above 30°C. The average maximum temperature during the winter months ranges in the area of 16°C to 17°C. Knysna has one of the richest rainfall percentages in South Africa with the wettest time of year being between October and December. Knysna stays green in all seasons, and its temperate climate makes it a tourist destination all year round.^[10]

Tourism[edit]

The town is a popular destination for both tourists and senior citizens entering retirement, especially among the British and former expatriates due to the year-round warm climate. Recently, the town has also become a preferred destination among golfers, as the town boasts several world class golf courses including Pezula Golf Course, Simola Golf Course and the well established Knysna Golf Course situated on the lagoon. It is situated near the towns of Plettenberg Bay and George, where there are airports. Knysna is also home to Mitchell's Brewery.

Knysna town as viewed from Knysna Quays (Waterfront)

Annual events[edit]

Knysna hosts a variety of events annually, which draw local and international visitors alike. Such events include the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival in late June and/or early July; the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras at the end of April and/or beginning of May; the Gastronomica lifestyle festival in September, which promotes healthy eating and organic principles; and the Rastafarian Earth Festival held at the end of July, celebrating Rastafarian religion, culture and lifestyle.

Knysna Oyster Festival[edit]

The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, held annually in late June/early July, is the town's biggest event. The duration of the festival is ten days, first held in 1983. Oysters, the festival's namesake, are a large component, and approximately 200 000 are consumed over the 10-day period. Many sporting activities take place too, such as rugby, golf, bowls, squash, cycling and marathons. The Knysna Forest Marathon and Half Marathon, as well as the Rotary Cycle Tour draw many a sporting enthusiast to the town.^[13]

A view of the Knysna heads

Suburbs[edit]

Bongani is a suburb of Knysna. According to the 2011 census it has a population of 2,283.^[14]

Notable people[edit]

• Thomas Henry Duthie - Land owner, Supervisor of Crown Forests and Lands
• Rudolf Eric Koertzen - International cricket umpire
• Caspar Lee - YouTube blogger, entertainer, and comedian
• Theodora Lee - Youtube blogger
• D. C. S. Oosthuizen - Philosopher, Christian, Critic of Apartheid was born here
• George Rex - Founder of Knysna, Land owner, and Timber Merchant
• Charles Wilhelm Thesen - shipowner and timber merchant
• Eric Robinson (veterinarian) - opened first private veterinary practice in Knysna
• William Smith (South African) - South Africa's popular television science and mathematics teacher

See also[edit]

• Knysna Municipality, Western Cape
• Knysna-Amatole montane forests
• Knysna elephants
• Knysna Yacht Club
• Knysna seahorse
• List of heritage sites in Knysna
• Fiela's Child
• Dalene Matthee

Citations[edit]

References[edit]

• Horsburgh, James (1826) India Directory, Or Directions for Sailing to and from the East Indies, China, New Holland, Cape of Good Hope, Brazil and the Interjacent Ports. 3. Ed, Vol. 1. (Kingsburg).

External links[edit]

• Knysna Municipality
• Knysna Tourism Bureau

Municipalities and communities of Eden District Municipality, Western Cape District seat: George Bitou Harkerville Keurboomstrand Kranshoek Kurland Estate Nature's Valley Plettenberg Bay Wittedrif George Avontuur De Vlugt George Haarlem Herold Herolds Bay Hoekwil Pacaltsdorp Twee Rivieren Uniondale Victoria Bay Wilderness Hessequa Albertinia Gouritsmond Groot-Jongensfontein Heidelberg Port Beaufort Riversdale Slangrivier Stilbaai Vermaaklikheid Witsand Kannaland Amaliënstein Calitzdorp Ladismith Vanwyksdorp Zoar Knysna Brenton-on-Sea Buffelsbaai Karatara Knysna Rheenendal Sedgefield Mossel Bay Boggomsbaai Brandwag Danabaai Friemersheim Glentana Great Brak River Hartenbos Herbertsdale Little Brak River Mossel Bay Vleesbaai Oudtshoorn De Hoop De Rust Dysselsdorp Matjiesrivier Oudtshoorn Volmoed