Durbanville - a bit of information and background

Durbanville is a pristine, tranquil residential town and wine producing area in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. It is centrally situated offering easy access to the Cape winelands (Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschoek), as well as pristine beaches at Blaauwberg, Milnerton, Clifton, Bantry Bay and around to Strand and Somerset West. A more central location is difficult to find.

Durbanville was originally known as Pampoenkraal (from the Dutch pampoen meaning pumpkin, and kraal meaning an enclosure for livestock). It was founded in 1806 around a spring and was primarily a watering station for travellers between Cape Town and the interior. Its name was later changed to D'Urban in honour of the then governor of the Cape Colony, Benjamin d'Urban in 1834. This name was later changed to Durbanville in order to avoid confusion with Durban - a major port city in KwaZulu-Natal in the east of South Africa.

One of the attractions of Durbanville for outsiders is its wine route. The wine cellars include Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, D'Aria (Poplars), De Grendel, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Hillcrest, Nitida and Meerendal. The soil has a high clay content and is particularly suited to Sauvignon Blanc.

The past 10 years has seen a rapid expansion of property and housing development in Durbanville, mainly to the North, with new areas like Uitzicht, The Crest, Graanendal and Durmonte being developed.

Afrikaans and English are the main languages spoken in Durbanville. In the past Afrikaans predominanted culturally, but this has changed with the rapid development of the town. The principal religion of the population is Christianity with a wide variety of churches in the community.

The town has various sporting venues including a superb 18 hole golf course, soccer, rugby and cricket fields. The community has taken a keen interest in developing these sports.

As the area has a very low crime rate it has become very popular and the price of residential property has increased dramatically in the last five years and is still growing. The town has acclaimed public high schools - Durbanville High School (an Afrikaans medium school) and Fairmont High (an English medium school), and Stellenberg High school which is dual medium. There are numerous primary schools including Durbanville Preparatory, Durbanville Primary, Eversdal Primary, Gene Louw Primary and Kenridge Primary. The area also has a number of private schools - such as Curro, Chester House and El Shaddai Christian School.

Durbanville is one of the fastest growing towns in South Africa boasting several shopping centres, restaurants, pubs, guest houses and B and B's to suit your needs. Just a few minutes drive will take you to one of the largest, modern, world class shopping and entertainment centres, the Tygervalley Centre and the exciting newly developed Tygervalley Waterfront. Many other shopping centres are also available.

With it's upmarket tree-lined residential areas, Durbanville remains a much sought after neighbourhood in which to put down roots as has been proven by the many overseas visitors who have come to Durbanville as visitors and returned as residents. Property in Durbanville has always proven to be a good investment, and there are houses, town houses and apartments in Durbanville to cater for every need, from the young single starter to the established family looking for more space.

Durbanville is situated within minutes from the main highways into the Cape Town city centre and the Cape Boland Towns making it conveniently central to both business and leisure activities.

Talent abounds in this industrious town. From potters to manufacturing jewellers, winemakers, cheesemakers, quilters, artists, prize gardeners, taylors, medical specialists, photographers - you name it ... in Durbanville you're sure to find it.

The various suburbs in Durbanville offer a variety of houses, townhouses, flats, apartments, and vacant land for sale to suit almost every client looking for the perfect property to buy in the Durbanville area.

Amanda Glen, Aurora, D'urbanvale, Durbanville Central, Durbanville Hills, Durmonte, Everglen, Eversdal, Eversdal Heights, Goedemoed, Graanendal, Kenridge, Langeberg Ridge, Nerina, Pinehurst, Proteaville, Rosendal, Schoongezicht, Sonstraal, Sonstraal East, Sonstraal Heights, The Crest , Uitzicht, Uitzicht Estates, Valmary Park, Vergesig, Vierlanden, Vygeboom, Welgevonden Estate, Wellway Park, Wellway Park East.