ABOUT KAMIESBERG MUNICIPALITY
Area: 14 210km². The Kamiesberg Local Municipality is a Category B municipality situated within the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape Province. It is one of the smaller municipalities of the six that make up the district. Kamiesberg Local Municipality provides services to 16 small towns – Kamassies Rooifontein, Nourivier, Leliefontein, Paulshoek, Kamieskroon, Kharkams, Tweervier, Koiingnaas, Kheis, Soebatsfontein, Spoegrivier, Klipfontein,Garies, Hondeklipbaai and Lepelfontein. The nearest business centre is Springbok 120km away.
The municipality spans three topographic zones: from the sandy coastal lowlands (Sandveld) to the mountainous central Kamiesberg escarpment (Hardveld), and to the eastern plateau of Bushmanland.
There are no perennial rivers in the area. Water is obtained from subterranean sources. Some of the water is pumped up by windmills, but most of the water to the communal areas comes from natural springs. Many of these springs are semi-perennial and the salt content of the water can vary from year to year, causing problems.
Four main types of vegetation are found in the area: Mountain Renosterveld, Succulent Karoo, False Succulent Karoo and Namaqualand Broken Veld. However, overall plant life is in a deteriorating state and non-edible, undesirable and poisonous vegetation is taking over.
The greater Namaqualand has always been associated with tourist, but only during the flower season. The Kamiesberg which lies in the heart of Namaqualand is ideally situated for the development of year-round attractions based on its natural and cultural heritage.
The Municipality is however faced with challenges such as, lack of financial and human resources, seasonality of tourism activities, a lack of tourism infrastructure.
Through a Design Charrette process, it was revealed that the Kamiesberg Municipal area has three key focus areas. The Uplands (mountainous area) The Plateau (midlands along the N7) and the Coast. The key themes identified within the focus areas are: Natural and cultural routes, Culture and heritage, Arts and crafts the natural wonders and Landscapes and tourism infrastructure.
NAMAQUA NATIONAL PARK – spectacular wildflower displays in spring and vistas throughout the year make Namaqua National park one of the key attractions of the region. Various tourist facilities such as hiking and 4×4 trails and accommodation is available in the Park. The proposed coastal park between the groen and the spoeg rivers will certainly add value to Tourism by linking the platau to the coast.
NATURAL WONDERS – The area has 1200 different plant species, hundreds of which are found only in Namaqualand and also 150 bird species. The Letterklip at Garies is a national monument and together with Betelsklip and the Spoegrivier caves are both natural wonders and of great historical value to this region.
LANDSCAPES – From spectacular mountain views in the Uplands and brilliant carpets of flowers to the rugged, remote namaqua coastline the landscapes of the Kamiesberg certainly promises a unique experience.
COASTAL DEVELOPMENT – The Coastal town of the Kamiesberg Municipality is Hondeklipbay. Hondeklip Bay lies about 95 km south west of Springbok. This village was originally used as a harbor to export copper ore from the mines around Springbok but was later surpassed by Port Nolloth, which had a safer harbor as well as a railway line. Today Hondeklip Bay is a popular regional holiday destination and serves the fishing and diamond-mining community. Holiday accommodation ranges from camping at the municipal caravan park to self-catering chalets. Attractions include ship wrecks like the Jahleel and the Aristea which ran aground in 2003 and 1945 respectively. In July 2016, the Jahleel started breaking up and split in two.
CONTACT US
Main Road 22
Private Bag X200
Garies 8220
barendd@kamiesberg.gov.za
Tel: 027 652 8000
Fax: 027 652 8001
Emergency no: 10177
CERTIFICATION BY MUNICIPAL VALUERSERVICES
- TOWN PLANNING
- ROADS
- ELECTRICITY
- WATER NETWORK
- SANITATION
SERVICES
- TOWN PLANNING
- ROADS
- ELECTRICITY
- WATER NETWORK
- SANITATION
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