Piketberg is a town in the Western Cape, South Africa, located about 80 km east of Saldanha Bay. The original spelling of the name was “Piquetberg”. The town is in the foothills of the Piketberg mountains, a range of low mountains formed from Table Mountain Sandstone.
Piketberg
What is the meaning of Piketberg?
The town derives its name from the Dutch word “piket“ which means outpost. From 1655 the Cape Government placed military outposts on the Piketberg mountains during clashes with roaming Hottentot clans. This naturally lead to the naming of the mountain “Piketberg“ and later the town at its foot.
What is farmed in Piketberg?
The area around the mountains is conducive to the farming of wheat, while the area on top of the Piketberg Mountains range (called Piket-Bo-Berg), being cooler and generally frost-free, is suited to the farming of fruit and Rooibos Tea.
Why is Piketberg a rural settlement?
The small, farming Town of Piketberg lies; at the foot of the Piketberg Mountain Range, surrounded by fields of wheat that change colour with the seasons – from reddish brown to golden yellow in summer, and green in winter; vineyards, fruit farms and beautiful examples of indigenous fynbos.
Is Piketberg rural or urban?
Piketberg is a rural and farming town situated at the foot of Piketberg mountain range and lies within the Western Cape province, situated just 2 hours drive from Cape Town.