Fish Hoek celebrates 100 years
Land sold off in 1918 with the aim of it becoming a township
AFORMER schoolteacher who wished that her farm would become a township after her death played a part in helping to found the town that is now known as Fish Hoek. Hester de Villiers was aged 51 when she bought Fish Hoek farm, where she cultivated fields of wheat and vegetables. She bought water rights, which allowed water from the Kleintuin spring to irrigate the fields and supply the farmhouse. She died in 1914 and in 1918, two years after the death of her husband, Izaak, the farm land was sold in portions and the proceeds were divided equally between her stepchildren.
This year, Fish Hoek holds its centenary celebration as a result of the land being sold at 11am on April 24, 1918.
“The land was sold in two auctions. The biggest one was on April 24, where a large number of plots were sold. But in this day and age, this date resembles a huge moment for Fish Hoek,” said Fish Hoek Valley Historical Association chairman Alan Linder.
Before it was a residential community, Fish Hoek was commonly known for whaling, fishing and farming. One of the most idiosyncratic facts about Fish Hoek is the grant of land policy that prohibits anyone from opening a liquor store or pub. It also has no nightclub.
Fish Hoek Valley Museum curator Sally Britten said the original deed of 1818, signed by Lord Charles Somerset – then governor of the Cape – had conditions: “The first policy was that there be no wine house because wagoners who brought produce to the Cape would drink and forget about the job they had to do. The second policy was that trek fishermen should always have access to fish on the beach.”
Linder said that the prohibition on alcohol was dubbed the first drinking and driving law: “After drinking, wagoners, due to their hangovers would damage their wagons and cause accidents on the trek – we didn’t have roads then.”
Since then, the town had maintained its non-liquor selling law.
“Only restaurants have liquor licences here. If a person wants to go to a pub or buy alcohol, they have to go to Kalk Bay, Noordhoek or any of the neighbouring areas,” said Linder.
He added that Fish Hoek, apart from the architectural change, was still a very conservative area.
It has one of the oldest corrugated buildings, known as the Victorian Times, and the De Villiers barn has been revamped. The catwalk, where people still walk and look out to sea, also remains a feature.
Some of the famous people who came from the community include the original manufacturer of Mrs HS Ball’s Chutney. As part of the centenary celebration on March 23, Fish Hoek will be celebrating Mrs Amelia Ball’s birthday.
South African professional golfer Bobby Locke also lived in Fish Hoek. Locke won four Open Championships, nine South African Opens, seven South African Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Championships and 15 PGA Tour events.
Linders said that the town, once a holiday destination, is now more of a retirement village, with “more people over the age of 55 than those (who are) younger, but it’s slowly changing in the aspect of integration. There are a lot of clubs and associations and we have great water sports.
“The only thing we are missing is a central business hub,” he said. Britten said crime is very low in the area. “We have a very good neighbourhood watch, but we do have those isolated breakin incidents. But living in Fish Hoek is calming – the calm sea and gentle waves are relaxing,” she said.