Vermaaklikheid

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Vermaaklikheid

| pushpin_map = South Africa Western Cape#South Africa

| coordinates = {{coord|34|18|S|21|2|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 = Garden Route

| subdivision_type3 = Municipality

| subdivision_name3 = Hessequa

| subdivision_type4 = Main Place

| established_title = Established

| leader_title = Councillor

| area_footnotes =

| area_total_km2 =

| population_total = 356

| population_density_km2 = auto

| demographics_type1 = Racial Makeup (2011)

| demographics1_title1 = Coloured

| demographics1_info1 = 63.76%

| demographics1_title2 = White

| demographics1_info2 = 20.51%

| demographics1_title3 = Black African

| demographics1_info3 = 12.92%

| demographics1_title4 = Other

| demographics1_info4 = 2.81%

| demographics1_title5 =

| demographics1_info5 =

| demographics_type2 = First Languages (2011)

| demographics2_footnotes =

| demographics2_title1 = Afrikaans

| demographics2_info1 = 92.42%

| demographics2_title2 = English

| demographics2_info2 = 7.02%

| demographics2_title3 = Other

| demographics2_info3 = 0.56%

| demographics2_title4 =

| demographics2_info4 =

| demographics2_title5 =

| demographics2_info5 =

| timezone1 = SAST

| utc_offset1 = +2

| postal_code_type = Postal code (street)

| postal_code =

| postal2_code_type = PO box

| postal2_code = 6671

| area_code_type = Area code

| population_as_of = 2011

| image_skyline = Vermaaklikheid.jpg

}}

Vermaaklikheid is a settlement on South Africa's Garden Route in the Western Cape. It is situated near Witsand and close to Duiwenhoks River. The area is a fynbos shrubland that has a temperate climate. More than 100 species of birds live here.{{Cite web |title=Vermaaklikheid Accommodation, Garden Route |url=http://www.wheretostay.co.za/town/vermaaklikheid/accommodation |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=www.wheretostay.co.za |language=en}}

As of 2011 the population is 356.{{Cite web |last=Firth |first=Adrian |title=Census 2011: Small Area 0031 |url=https://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/1750031 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=census2011.adrianfrith.com}} In the census, 329 people(92.4%) spoke Afrikaans, 25 (7%) spoke English, and 2 (0.56%) spoke Setswana.

History

The village was established in 1855 when the Dutch Reformed Church purchased a piece of land that was originally farmed on by Andries Gous since 1725.{{Cite web |last=Haw |first=Penny |date=19 January 2011 |title=Taking it easy in Vermaaklikheid |url=https://pennyhaw.com/2011/01/19/taking-it-easy-in-vermaaklikheid/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Penny Haw |language=en}}

The origin of the name of the village is disputed. A certain resident of the village, Inis Bower, claims that the village was named after a certain "Meneer Vermaak" who was a prominent farmer in the area during the 19th century. Others, however, believe that the name 'Vermaaklikheid', meaning 'entertainment' in Afrikaans and Dutch, was derived from the occasional gathering of farmers on the bank of the river to "vermaak" or to relax and enjoy themselves.

References

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