Mamre

Mamre has its roots early in South African history. It was founded in the 16th century, when it was established a military and cattle post in the region, to prevent settlers’ cattle being stolen by the local KhoiKhoi. In 1808 the governor of the Cape, Lord Caledon, welcomed the establishment of a mission by Kohrhammer and Schmidt, two Moravian missionaries from Germany.

It was only in 1967 that the pretty double-ended church and adjacent parsonage became national monuments. The mission station village still stands, the church still used for services, and the church on any given Sunday is packed to capacity. The original water mill has been lovingly restored and is today used as a museum.

Hottentot “hartbeeshuisies” (reed houses) with stark whitewashed walls were built by local inhabitants who attended the mission in the early days. A variety of fruit trees planted on the site remain as a testament to the German missionaries.

Mamre lies between Darling and Atlantis on the R307, about an hour outside of Cape Town.

Read our detailed information on the West Coast at ShowMe West Coast.