Swellendam

In 1795 Swellendam was for about 3 month one of the capitals of the world. Maladministration and inadequacies of the Dutch East India Company caused the long-suffering citizens of Swellendam to revolt, and they declared themselves a Republic. This was short-lived due to the occupation of the Cape by the British. Herewith the new Republic, consisting only out of 20 houses along the river, was forced to disband.

Swellendam is after Cape Town and Stellenbosch the third oldest magisterial district in South Africa. It was declared in 1747 and named after the Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel and his wife Helena ten Damme.

Swellendam is about 220 km east of Cape Town laying on the highway N2 in the heart of the Overberg district (Map). The town is well known of its beautiful historic buildings and the lovely position on the feet of the Langeberge mountains.
Today, Swellendam is a small and charming town, which subsists mainly from the tourism and agriculture. The crime rate in Swellendam is quite low.