Exploring the Bains’ Legacy of Mountain Passes

The remarkable contributions of father-and-son engineers Andrew Geddes Bain and Thomas Charles Bain were celebrated recently at a packed Beacon Isle Resort venue, where Len Swimmer, chairperson of the Van Plettenberg Historical Society (VPHS), delivered an engaging presentation on the history of South Africa’s mountain passes.

The event was particularly special, as it marked both Swimmer’s second presentation for the VPHS and his 87th birthday, celebrated in style with a champagne toast by Beacon Isle’s food and beverage manager, Justin Sewpershad.

Len Swimmer, the chairperson of the Van Plettenberg Historical Society (VPHS), unpacked the history of ports and passes – the legacy left by father Andrew Geddes Bain and son Thomas Charles Bain – at a packed Beacon Isle resort venue recently. – Plett News

Engineering Feats of the Bains

The Bains were responsible for constructing some of South Africa’s most spectacular mountain passes, often using unskilled convict labour. Andrew Geddes Bain’s name lives on through the iconic Bainskloof Pass,

while Thomas Bain’s achievements include Prince Alfred’s Pass, Piekenierskloof Pass, and the Seven Passes Road between George and Knysna—a project that took 15 years to complete. This vital route not only linked Knysna to George and other developed areas to the west but also replaced the treacherous river crossing at Kaaimansgat, which early travellers had long dreaded.

Thomas Bain went on to construct a series of crossings through the Langeberg and Outeniqua ranges, including Robinson, Tradouw, Garcia, Burger’s Passes, and Cogmanskloof Pass—all instrumental in opening up South Africa’s interior.

Mastery of Dry Stone Construction

Thomas Bain is widely regarded as one of the finest road builders and engineers of his era. Alongside his father, he perfected the art of dry-stone retaining walls, many of impressive height and length. Remarkably, many of the roads and structures they built remain in use today. Swimmer highlighted that Andrew was responsible for 14 major passes, while Thomas engineered an astounding 42.

Beyond Engineering: Andrew’s Creative Side

Andrew Geddes Bain was also a gifted writer and satirist. While in Grahamstown, he penned sketches for local amateur dramatic performances, creating the character Caatje (Kaatje) Kekkelbek, also known as Katie Gossip or Life Among the Hottentots (1838). Caatje Kekkelbek, a Hottentot girl, charmed audiences with her mix of Hottentot Afrikaans and English, playfully critiquing missionaries such as John Philip. On stage, she often performed with a harmonica (“mondfluitjie” in Afrikaans).

Swimmer entertained the audience with his own rendition of one of Caatje’s playful poems:

“My name is Kaatje Kekkelbek,
I come from Kat Rivier,
Daer’s van water geen gebrek,
But scarce of wine and beer
Myn A B C at Philip’s school
I learnt so kleine beetje,
But left it just as great o fool
As gekke Tante Meitje”

This celebration of the Bains’ legacy not only honoured their engineering brilliance but also highlighted the lasting cultural contributions of Andrew Geddes Bain.