Bergvliet
{{short description|Southern suburb of Cape Town, South Africa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use South African English|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bergvliet
| image_skyline = {{multiple image|total_width=270px|perrow=1/2/2/2|border=infobox
| image1 = CapeTownBergvlietfarm2 2014.jpg
| alt1 =
| image2 = Bergvliet road (4453069037) (2).jpg
| alt2 =
}}
| image_caption = Top: Dreyersdal Farm is an integral part of Bergvliet. Bottom: A view down Bergvliet Road.
| image_map = {{Infobox mapframe }}
| pushpin_map =
| coordinates = {{coord|34|2|45|S|18|27|15|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = South Africa
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Western Cape
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_type3 = Municipality
| subdivision_name3 = City of Cape Town
| subdivision_type4 = Main Place
| subdivision_name4 = Cape Town
| established_title = Established
| leader_title = Councillor
| area_footnotes = {{cite web |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/199041098 |title = Sub Place Bergvliet |work=Census 2011}}
| area_total_km2 = 2.50
| elevation_m = 27
| population_total = 4,428
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011)
| demographics1_title1 = Black African
| demographics1_info1 = 5.0%
| demographics1_title2 = Coloured
| demographics1_info2 = 6.2%
| demographics1_title3 = Indian/Asian
| demographics1_info3 = 1.1%
| demographics1_title4 = White
| demographics1_info4 = 86.3%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics1_info5 = 1.4%
| demographics_type2 = First languages (2011)
| demographics2_title1 = English
| demographics2_info1 = 91.5%
| demographics2_title2 = Afrikaans
| demographics2_info2 = 5.9%
| demographics2_title3 =
| demographics2_info3 =
| demographics2_title4 =
| demographics2_info4 =
| demographics2_title5 = Other
| demographics2_info5 = 2.6%
| timezone1 = SAST
| utc_offset1 = +2
| postal_code_type = Postal code (street)
| postal_code = 7945
| postal2_code_type = PO box
| postal2_code = 7864
| area_code_type = Area code
| area_code = 021
}}
Bergvliet is a large, affluent residential suburb in the Southern Suburbs region of Cape Town, South Africa.{{cite web|url= https://bergvliet.co.za/ |title= Bergvliet - Where Community Matters |author= |publisher= Chas Everitt |date= |access-date= 2 May 2025 }}
Bergvliet, which means "Mountain Streamlet" in Afrikaans,{{cite web|url= https://bergvliet.co.za/about-our-area/ |title= Greater Bergvliet |author= |publisher= Chas Everitt |date= |access-date= 2 May 2025 }} is located on former farmland, and comprises mostly large, detached homes.
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.{{cite web|url= https://southernsuburbs.seeff.com/area-profiles/cape-town/bergvliet/ |title= Bergvliet Area Information |author= |publisher= Seeff |date= |access-date= 2 May 2025 }}
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.{{cite web|url= https://www.bmra.co.za/bmra-area/ |title= BMRA Area |author= |publisher= BMRA |date= |access-date= 2 May 2025 }}
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 (BKM, which stands for Bergvliet, Kreupelbosch and Meadowridge), that has grown to incorporate other neighborhoods over the years. The rate payers association, BMRA, is also very active, and works to protect and develop the area.
The neighborhood houses the Bergvliet Sports Club.
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.{{cite web|url= https://bhs.org.za/contact-us |title= Bergvliet High School - Contact Us |author= |publisher=Bergvliet High School |date= |access-date= 2 May 2025 }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/2001census/Documents/Bergvliet.htm |title=Bergvliet |access-date=17 April 2013 |work=City of Cape Town - Census 2011 |publisher=City of Cape Town |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927155606/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/2001census/Documents/Bergvliet.htm |archive-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead }}
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.{{cite web|url= https://www.bmra.co.za/about-us/ |title= BMRA - About Us |author= |publisher= BMRA |date= |access-date= 2 May 2025 }}
The suburb is governed at the local level by Cape Town's Deputy Mayor, Eddie Andrews, a member of the centrist Democratic Alliance.{{cite web|url= https://www.bmra.co.za/councillors/ |title= Eddie Andrews (Deputy Mayor) |author= |publisher= Bergvliet Meadowridge Ratepayers Association |date= |access-date= 2 May 2025 }}