Heritage Article | Exotic Animal World, Klapmuts, Western Cape Butterfly World opened on Route 44 near Klapmuts in November 1996, as the largest free-flying butterfly park in Southern Africa. It was founded by Matty Pretorius and her daughter Esther van der Westhuizen, after they visited butterfly parks in Canada, Singapore and Malaysia. Esther was a zoology lecturer at the University of the Western Cape, and Matty was an established businesswoman. The park sat between the Stellenbosch and Paarl wine routes, and visitors came for the butterflies and the tropical garden. Over time, Esther began taking in exotic animals when she saw how many were abandoned or in distress. Exotic pet owners and rescue organisations kept calling, looking for a safe…
How a little shop on 2nd Avenue became Cape Town's most beloved swimwear institution There are businesses, and then there are landmarks. Oggi Swim & Gymwear — tucked away on 2nd Avenue in Harfield Village — is very much the latter. For thirty years, this Cape Town gem has been clothing swimmers, dancers, runners, school kids, cold-water dippers, and everyone in between. Thirty years of fabric, fit, and feeling fabulous in the water. That deserves a little celebration, don't you think? So pull up a towel, pour yourself something cold, and let us tell you a bit about how it all began — and why, three decades later, Oggi is still going strong. It Started with a Passion for Getting the Fit…
On coals, culture, and a government that keeps forgetting there are other people here Every year on the 24th of…
Tucked into the suburb of Vygeboom in Durbanville, Sonstraal Dam is one of those quiet Cape Town landmarks that most…
This energetic little town, 18 miles from Cape Town and six miles from Bellville Station, lies at the heart of…
Many residents of Durbanville know that their town was once called Pampoenkraal, but fewer know the story of the man…
An Investigative Historical Feature For generations, visitors arriving in the picturesque fishing village of Paternoster have been greeted by one of the West Coast's most…
PAROW — On a weekday morning in a community hall in Parow Valley, a group of seniors moves through a routine set to music, guided…
When it comes to transforming outdoor spaces, experience and craftsmanship make all the difference. That's exactly what customers receive from AJ Paving, a trusted paving…
For over four decades, Die Handelshuis has been a trusted name in Cape Town’s northern suburbs for quality second-hand and antique furniture. Tucked away at 27 Northumberland…
Businesses, institutions and individuals whose contribution has shaped the Cape are being invited to take their place in history CAPE…
During the month of September, we will focus on Durbanville and everything it has to offer. If you want to…
A new era of accountability, public interest journalism and community reporting begins Cape Town — The Cape Chronicle has announced…
Since 2009 I had nothing but hate for Facebook and today it yet again proved it is the collection of…
South Africa’s citrus industry has suffered a major setback following severe flooding across parts of the Eastern and Western Cape, with growers warning of widespread crop losses, damaged orchards and…
By Cape Chronicle Staff Writer Cape Town is entering another busy weekend with a mix of tourism, public safety concerns, infrastructure developments and major entertainment events shaping the mood across…
Special Historical Feature — Cape Town, circa 1908 Cape Town has long stood at the southern gateway of empire, welcoming steamships, telegraphs, and the latest mechanical wonders from Europe. Now…
The South African Commercial Advertiser was South Africa’s first independent newspaper and started publication in Cape Town on 7 January 1824. It was banned between 5 May 1824 and 31 August 1825, and between…
The Destination Nowhere production by What The Gravel came to an aburpt halt after the weather deterred the team to continue its journey. Rudy, Mouse and Pinkie travelled from Bellville…
Take advantage of our Self-publishing offer and showcase your business as often as once a day! Get your message out to our subscribers and make sure your message reaches them.…
With the Sun appearing, Cape Town can take a breather from the harsh weather that has been battering the peninsula since the weekend.
This is the Cape Chronicle! And it’s a re-enactment of the Cape’s history from 1861 to date. It is as far as possible, a factually accurate rendition of events of…
J.J. du Preez High School (also known as JJ du Preez or PDHS) was a secondary school in Parow, Western Cape, South Africa. It no longer operates under that name…
By Our Business Correspondent Bellville’s story begins long before its industrial boom. Originally known as Twelfth Mile Stone (or “Hardekraaltjie”), the area was established in 1861 as a key stop…
By Deon van Zyl Cape Chronicle Staff Reporter STIKLAND INDUSTRIAL, BELLVILLE — 2007 The steady hum of machinery echoed through Stikland Industrial this morning as the doors of National Manhole…
‘n Gedenkteken vir Afrikaans Paarl, 10 Oktober 1975. – Onder helder lentelug en met die majestueuse Drakensteinberge as agtergrond, is die Afrikaanse Taalmonument vandag op Paarlberg met groot plegtigheid ingewy.…
CAPE TOWN, 6 September 1966. Dr. Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, Prime Minister of the Republic, was stabbed to death on the floor of the House of Assembly shortly after 2 p.m.…
Norvalspont, Cape Province, August 1964 — A quiet journey along the lonely tarred road between Norvalspont and Venterstad ended in a frightening collision during the early hours of the morning…
Isabella Maria de Villiers (1879–1955) The Cape Chronicle’s Champion of Education and Social Reform Among the distinguished journalists who shaped the Cape Chronicle during the early twentieth century, few earned…
By Victor Achebe, Staff Reporter Adderley Street, Cape Town, 17 February 1947 Cape Town today welcomed Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, together with Princess Elizabeth and Princess…
Government Restores Standard Time as Wartime Measure Comes to a Close By a Cape Chronicle Staff Reporter Cape Town, 12 March 1944 — The Union Government has announced that Daylight…
Government Announces New ‘Daylight Saving Time’ as Wartime Economy Measure By a Cape Chronicle Staff Reporter Cape Town, 13 September 1942 — For the first time in the history of…
Crowds Gather as Mr. Meyer Lewis Launches New Store for Working Families Cape Town, 1934. Woodstock was astir from an early hour this morning as residents, tradesmen, and curious passers-by…
By Isabella Maria de Villiers Cape Town, April 1934 — Under clear autumn skies and with the grand slopes of Table Mountain standing solemnly behind the proceedings, a distinguished assembly…
Parliament Approves Historic Measure – A New Chapter Opens in South African Public Life Cape Town, 8 May 1925 — By Our Parliamentary Correspondent A moment of profound historical importance…
The Cape Chronicle – by Special Correspondence Klawer, 1 July 1914 After many years of anticipation by the farming community of the Olifants River Valley, the shrill whistle of the…
A welcome addition to the northern road From our own correspondent KLAWER, Saturday. A notable occasion in this district took place today with the formal opening of the new Klawer…
This energetic little town, 18 miles from Cape Town and six miles from Bellville Station, lies at the heart of a thriving farming community. Its annual harvests of oats and…
THE FUTURE OF THE FOUR COLONIES TO BE CONSIDERED From Our Political Correspondent Durban, October 13, 1908. A gathering of uncommon consequence assembled in this city yesterday, when the representatives…
Cape Chronicle Special Correspondent Clarens, Switzerland – Thursday, 14 July 1904 The shutters remain half-closed at the modest lakeside residence overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Geneva. Outside, a solemn…
KALK BAY, Saturday. One of the most exciting maritime incidents witnessed upon the False Bay coast for some considerable time occurred this morning, when the iron steam trawler Rex, whilst…
Durbanville, November 1901. A new chapter in the history of Durbanville was opened this week with the formal establishment of the Municipality of Durbanville, the village having now been invested…
Cape Chronicle Special Correspondent — January 1896 Johannesburg, Transvaal — A dramatic military expedition intended to support the grievances of the Uitlander population of Johannesburg has ended in complete failure,…
Half a Century of Faithful Service to the Colony In this year of Her Majesty’s glorious Golden Jubilee, our Colony has another proud milestone to celebrate. Fifty years ago, on…
By Dr. Edmund Harrington, Historian, Cape Town The Cape Chronicle, October 1886 The recent reports from the Transvaal of rich gold-bearing reefs on the Witwatersrand have set the colonies ablaze…
From our Correspondent — Somerset West, April 1883 A feeling of sincere sorrow has spread throughout the village and surrounding districts upon the announcement of the death of the Rev.…
Cape Town, 9 June 1882 After years of persistent agitation and repeated appeals from the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of the Colony, the Parliament of the Cape Colony has at last sanctioned…
Cape Town, Tuesday, 27 September 1881 A sorrow of the most grievous nature has cast a deep shadow over Sea Point and indeed over the whole of Cape Town, following…
By our correspondent in the field. I write these lines from the dusty veldt under a scorching African sun, with the crack of rifles still echoing in my ears and…
BASUTOLAND, 20 September 1880. The mountain fastnesses of Basutoland have become the scene of a grave and determined conflict, as the Government’s attempt to enforce the surrender of firearms has…
Amid continued commercial expansion within the Cape Colony, a new estate agency, Steer & Co, has commenced business in Cape Town, reflecting the increasing importance of professional property services to…
**Special Dispatch from the Zulu Frontier** **29 January 1879** By Our Correspondent on the Scene ISANDLWANA, ZULULAND — In a stunning reversal that has shaken the foundations of British authority…
To the Readers of The Cape Chronicle It affords me much gratification to acquaint the numerous friends and patrons of this Journal with the appointment of Mr. Arthur Reginald Harrington…
If Sir Theophilus Shepstone’s proclamation of April 1877 was intended to quiet the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek, it has instead awakened a deeper and more enduring resistance among its leaders. The…
Sir Theophilus Shepstone’s arrival in the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek was no ordinary diplomatic errand. In 1876, Lord Carnarvon gave him a special commission to discuss federation with the Transvaal government,…
Paarl, Friday. — A gathering of gentlemen assembled this day at the residence of Mr. Gideon Malherbe in Paarl for the purpose of forming a society devoted to the advancement…
Twisfontein, Saturday, 16 August 1873 — Tempers erupted once again this morning as neighbouring farmers W. Baard of Heuningklip and C. Loubser of Witteklip confronted one another over the ownership…
CAPE TOWN — In a moment that may redefine the future of governance at the southern tip of Africa, John Charles Molteno has today assumed office as the first Prime…
By Our Political Correspondent, London London, 23 November 1872 — In a landmark development for British colonial policy in southern Africa, the Cape Colony has today been granted full responsible…
Cape Town, 4 June, 1871 To the Worthy Inhabitants of Cape Town, and to our Esteemed Subscribers, Friends, and Patrons, It is with a heart oppressed by sorrow, and with…
The continued agitation for Responsible Government threatens the very foundations of order in this Colony. While we do not deny the virtues of self-rule in mature societies, the Cape is…
Cape Town — It is with no ordinary satisfaction that we record the completion and opening of the Alfred Basin, a work of considerable magnitude and lasting utility to this…
By Our Special Correspondent I write to you from the banks of the mighty Orange River, where the sun beats mercilessly upon a land once deemed fit only for hardy…
THE STEAMER KADIE ASHORE AT THE RIVER MOUTH Breede River Mouth, Saturday, 18th November, 1865 Yesterday morning a scene of uncommon excitement and melancholy presented itself at the entrance to…
