Beaufort West

Afrikaans name: Beaufort-Wes

Beaufort West main street

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Western Cape

The town of Beaufort West was founded in 1818 and was the first town to be established in the central area of the Karoo. It is now sometimes referred to as the "Capital of the Karoo". For the first 50 or so years of its existence the town was known as Beaufort. It was renamed to Beaufort West to avoid confusion with Fort Beaufort and Port Beaufort.

The town has a pleasant climate and good weather all year round. The area is said to have the most beautiful blue skies in South Africa.

Beaufort West has an interesting museum complex comprising of three buildings. These building are the Sendingkerk, Stadthuis and Sendingpastorie. The Sendingkerk was built in 1871 and was used as a Dutch Reformed mission church. This building has a link to Professor Chris Barnard, who performed the worlds first heart transplant, as his father, Reverend Adam Barnard, preached there. Professor Barnard was born in the town. Another major tourist attraction is the Karoo National Park which is located nearby.

A lot of sheep farming takes place in the surrounding area. The Beaufort West mine is located on a large reserve of uranium.

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Above - Shop in Beaufort West

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Houses in Beaufort West

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Christ Church (Anglican) 1854

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Methodist Church

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Dutch Reformed Church (1892)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - St Joseph Roman Catholic Church

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 49

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 115

Reader s Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 79

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 165

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 301

go! - Issue 127 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 50

go! - Issue 156 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 106

go! - Issue 086 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 19

go! - Issue 124 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 110

Farm Stall to Farm Stall - Author: Jennifer Stern - Published: 2014 - Page: 99

Drive Out 4X4 Trail Guide - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 109

Farm Stall to Farm Stall - Author: Jennifer Stern - Published: 2014 - Page: 98

Country Life - Issue 218 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 92

Country Life - Issue 169 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 74

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 631 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 18

Conolly s Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 122

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 108

African Wildlife - Vol 42 No 3 - Author: - Published: 1988 - Page: 187

Beaufort West Tourism

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