Robertson, South Africa
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Use South African English|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Robertson
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| total_width = 280
| border = infobox
| perrow = 1/2/2
| image1 = NG Kerk, Robertson. Founded in 1853. 02.jpg
| image2 = Robertson City Hall & Municipality. Church Street. 01.jpg
| image5 = Druid's Lodge, Robertson Museum. Built in 1860. Collapsed in August 2014 during renovations. 01.jpg
| image4 = Robertson, Western Cape.jpg
| image3 = NG Kerk, Robertson. Founded in 1853. 59 Paul Kruger Street..jpg}}
| image_caption = Clockwise from top: View of Robertson, Dutch Reformed Church, Druid's Lodge, Robertson in 1987, Robertson Town Hall
| pushpin_map = South Africa Western Cape#South Africa#Africa
| coordinates = {{coord|33|48|S|19|53|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = South Africa
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Western Cape
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = Cape Winelands
| subdivision_type3 = Municipality
| subdivision_name3 = Langeberg
| subdivision_type4 = Main Place
| established_title = Established
| leader_title = Councillor
| area_footnotes = Sub Place [https://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/169003005 Robertson] from Census 2011.
| area_total_km2 = 21.2
| population_total = 9,355
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011)
| demographics1_title1 = Black African
| demographics1_info1 = 7.1%
| demographics1_title2 = Coloured
| demographics1_info2 = 48.3%
| demographics1_title3 = Indian/Asian
| demographics1_info3 = 0.5%
| demographics1_title4 = White
| demographics1_info4 = 42.5%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics1_info5 = 1.6%
| demographics_type2 = First languages (2011)
| demographics2_title1 = Afrikaans
| demographics2_info1 = 89.3%
| demographics2_title3 = English
| demographics2_info3 = 7.1%
| demographics2_title2 = Xhosa
| demographics2_info2 = 0.9%
| demographics2_title5 = Other
| demographics2_info5 = 2.7%
| timezone1 = SAST
| utc_offset1 = +2
| postal_code_type = Postal code (street)
| postal_code = 6705
| postal2_code_type = PO box
| postal2_code = 6705
| area_code_type = Area code
| area_code = 023
| website = {{URL|http://RobertsonR62.com}}
| leader_name = C. Steyn
| leader_party = DA
}}
Robertson is a town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, known as the valley of wine and roses, at the heart of the wine route - Route 62.[http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionswc/robertson.php SA-Venues.co.za], retrieved 18 February 2012[http://route62.co.za/route62towns.php?townID=12&image2.x=11&image2.y=12 SA-Route62.co.za], retrieved 18 February 2012
Founded in 1853 and named after Dr {{Interlanguage link multi|William Robertson (urban missionary)|af|3=William Robertson|lt=William Robertson}}, a Scottish Dutch Reformed Church minister.{{Cite book|last=Joyce|first=Peter|url=http://archive.org/details/southafricanfami0000joyc|title=The South African family encyclopaedia|date=1989|publisher=Cape Town : Struik Publishers|others=Internet Archive|isbn=978-0-86977-887-6}}{{rp|302}}
Situated in the fertile Robertson Valley, farming and wagon building were the town's original industries. However, after the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899, the wagon building industry collapsed when the railways took over the transport of all goods.
Robertson subsequently became famous for its ostrich farming, but this industry collapsed as well shortly after World War I, and the farmers of the area turned to wine and fruit farming. Later, several successful racehorse stud farms were founded. Agriculture remains the mainstay of the town's economy.
Tourism
Tourism has grown in recent years and the town has several Western Cape provincial heritage sites, such as the Pink Church (1859), the Museum (1860), the Edwardian-style house 12 Piet Retief Street (1904), the Victorian-style house at 59 Van Reenen Street (1914), and the Powder House (used as a store for gunpowder).
Robertson has a population of over 20,000 civilians
Skydiving at Robertson
Western Province Sport Parachute Club (WPSPC) - Skydive Robertson, founded in 1972, is the oldest remaining skydiving club in South Africa. In July 2008, the club relocated to Robertson.[http://www.para.co.za/Newsletter/TT11.htm PASA Toggle Times Newsletter], Retrieved 19 February 2012
WPSPC operates from Robertson Airfield on weekends and public holidays and facilitates tandem skydiving and student training, and provides a facility for sports skydivers.
The 2011 South African National Skydiving Championships was hosted by Skydive Robertson and held at Robertson Airfield. This is the first time the national skydiving championships has been held in the Western Cape.[http://robertsontourism.co.za/index.php/events/details/97-sa-national-skydiving-championships Robertson Tourism website], Retrieved 19 February 2012
Robertson Airfield
Robertson Airfield is an unmanned airfield, with a 1 600 meter asphalt runway, situated 1 km to the east of Robertson.
Gallery
Image:klaasvoogds.jpg|The Klaasvoogds valley from a 4x4 on the Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve, Robertson [http://www.patbusch.co.za Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve]
Image:Rosendal-Winery.jpg|The Rosendal Winery & Wellness Retreat in Klaasvoogds, Robertson
File:NG kerk Robertson.jpg|The Dutch Reformed Church
{{Commons category|Robertson}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Cape Winelands District Municipality}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Populated places in the Langeberg Local Municipality