Witsand
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Witsand
| image_skyline = Witsand, Sudáfrica, 2018-07-23, DD 112-118 PAN.jpg
| image_caption = A beach near Witsand.
| pushpin_map = South Africa Western Cape#South Africa#Africa
| coordinates = {{coord|34.395|S|20.841|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 = {{cite web |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/175010001 |title = Sub Place Witsand |work=Census 2011}}
| area_total_km2 = 2.71
| population_total = 321
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011)
| demographics1_title1 = Black African
| demographics1_info1 = 9.7%
| demographics1_title2 = Coloured
| demographics1_info2 = 2.2%
| demographics1_title3 = Indian/Asian
| demographics1_info3 =
| demographics1_title4 = White
| demographics1_info4 = 87.2%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics1_info5 = 0.9%
| demographics_type2 = First languages (2011)
| demographics2_title1 = Afrikaans
| demographics2_info1 = 72.3%
| demographics2_title2 = English
| demographics2_info2 = 26.0%
| demographics2_title3 =
| demographics2_info3 =
| demographics2_title4 =
| demographics2_info4 =
| demographics2_title5 = Other
| demographics2_info5 = 1.6%
| timezone1 = SAST
| utc_offset1 = +2
| postal_code_type = Postal code (street)
| postal_code =
| postal2_code_type = PO box
| postal2_code = 6666
| area_code_type = Area code
| area_code = 028
}}
Witsand, located in the Western Cape of South Africa, is a small coastal town at the mouth of the Breede River estuary. Often referred to as the Whale Nursery of South Africa, the town attracts a remarkable number of southern right whales between June and November each year.
As an authentic destination for water sports and outdoor enthusiasts, Witsand offers experiences such as kite-surfing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and fishing. The town lies within the Hessequa region, also known as the Explorer's Garden Route.{{Cite web |title=Witsand – Explorers Garden Route – Hessequa Tourism |url=https://explorersgardenroute.co.za/witsand/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=explorersgardenroute.co.za}}
The Breede River near Witsand is also known for yielding some of the largest bull sharks ever recorded—though notably, there have been no reported shark attacks.{{Cite web |last=Kalula |first=Nelson |date=2024-09-14 |title=Small Town Spotlight: Witsand |url=https://www.getaway.co.za/destinations/witsand/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=Getaway Magazine}} Each November, Witsand hosts the finish line of the annual Vlakte Marathon, a notable event in the region.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=Die Vlakte Marathon Archives |url=https://runningmann.co.za/tag/die-vlakte-marathon/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=The Running Mann |language=en-ZA}}
In recent years, Witsand has also gained attention as a hub for Bitcoin adoption in Africa, with many local merchants now accepting cryptocurrency payments.{{Cite web |last=Cele |first=ZamaNdosi |title=Discover Witsand: South Africa's pioneering Bitcoin-friendly town |url=https://www.iol.co.za/travel/discover-witsand-south-africas-pioneering-bitcoin-friendly-town-c9fd48e7-e1b7-4347-93d5-5a941e186e21 |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en}}
History<ref>{{Cite book |last=Schoeman |first=Chris |title=The Historical Overberg |pages=195–196 |language=}}</ref>
On 10 October 1831, the British colonial government granted the farm Westfield—now the site of Witsand—to Captain Benjamin Moodie. By the late 1800s, the Moodie family welcomed residents of Heidelberg, including farmers and townspeople, to holiday in Witsand, known for its excellent fishing and white sandy beach, which inspired its name. Records show the name "Witsand" was already in use by 1867.
The first structure built in the area was a small stone house called Ou Pastorie, owned by Reverend Alexander Daneel, the first pastor of the Heidelberg Dutch Reformed Church. Around 1880, holidaymakers camped in reed huts and tents, as the area had yet to be developed.
Later, Benjamin and Donald Moodie, sons of Captain Moodie, allowed fishermen to build cottages, and as interest grew, they subdivided sixty-five morgen of the farm into plots. In 1908, this area was formally registered under the name Witsand in a separate title deed. The first 118 plots were shared among 17 people, and over time, more plots were sold, forming a small village of 20 to 30 houses. Witsand was officially declared a local region in 1951.
Water supply
During the tourist high-season, the population swells to over 3,000 people, leading to freshwater scarcity in the town. In 2018, the Witsand Solar Desalination Plant was constructed at a cost of R9 million (about US$605,000). The plant produces 100kl of fresh water per day powered by solar energy. This volume will supply close to 50% of the daily demand of Witsand during off-peak periods. The plant is also connected to the electrical grid. This enables the plant to be operated during peak water demand periods on a 24-hour basis, with a maximum supply capacity of 300kl per day.{{cite web|
url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2018-07-16-france-to-help-drought-hit-witsand-with-solar-power-desalination-plant/ |date=16 July 2018 |work=Business Day (South Africa) |
title=France to help drought-hit Witsand with solar-power desalination plant |author=Linda Ensor |access-date=28 October 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Official launch of first Solar Desalination Plant in SA – Hessequa Municipality |url=https://www.hessequa.gov.za/official-launch-of-first-solar-desalination-plant-in-sa/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=www.hessequa.gov.za}}
{{commons category}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Eden District Municipality}}
Category:Populated places in the Hessequa Local Municipality
{{SouthAfrica-geo-stub}}