MALMESBURY

Already as early as 1655 (3 years following the arrival of Jan van Riebeek), an expedition under the leadership of Jan Wintervogel was undertaken in the direction of Malmesbury. The area was subsequently named "Het Zwartland", due to the black appearance of the "renosterbossies" during the summer period.

Malmesbury the settlement was founded in 1745. Its inception can be backdated and contributed to the establishment of a church, which had to provide to the spiritual needs of ± 24 people, residing in the area.

On 21 May 1829 Sir Lowry Cole, who named the town Malmesbury in England, officially proclaimed the town in honour of his forefathers.

During the town's more than 250 year existence, it has developed into one of the largest in the Swartland and houses more than 27 000 people, with a continued growing agricultural- as well as industrial industries.

In and around the regional centre of Malmesbury, various secondary residential centres are found, each with its own rich in character history.