Bergvliet, Cape Town

Bergvliet is a large, affluent residential suburb in the Southern Suburbs region of Cape Town, South Africa.

Bergvliet, which means "Mountain Streamlet" in Afrikaans, 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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

The suburb is governed at the local level by Cape Town's Deputy Mayor, Eddie Andrews, a member of the centrist Democratic Alliance.

References

{{Cape Town suburbs

Suburbs of Cape Town