old strandfontein introduction history

The Old Strandfontein Village

Strandfontein was initially a nature reserve area. Later in 1976 under the struggle of apartheid,

 government developed houses for the middle income bracket families. With the raw, ruff and

underdeveloped land, they started to construct roads and houses in and around Pilot Way. The

first sets of houses were completed in 1977, some being single story, free-standing houses

and the rest (and majority) being semi-detached houses.

I was born and bread in this “Old Village”, and whilst the area was in development around us,

as youngsters played around many of the work sites. Irrigation and sewage piping were laid in

the area and many of the demarcated plots had plumbing pipes protruding from ground. In the

summer time, we youngsters played in water that came from the many water hoses.

The council had built Strandfontein section starting in Dennegeur Road up unto Tunny Street

and Marlin Crescent. They used the premises of the high school for the primary school as well.



Later the primary school was built in 1979.

Spine was an incomplete road that stretched from Pilot way to Strandfontein. Many people

traveled to Mitchell’s Plain using Brighton Powell Road also known as “Beach Road” and Pun

t Road was utilized to travel to Vygieskraal. The first bus stop was erected in Weltevreden

Road in 1979. Many people relied on mobile businesses or house shops to purchase

groceries, one being a dairy Bell truck. The first trading shop was in manta Way called

“Tanweers”.

The first general practitioners were doctor Lallu and doctor Meroney, whom operated from

homes in Klippe Road and Scooner Close. The first public library was a mobile bus that

parked

at Civic Center. Mosque and church services were held outside in the open air and at homes of

people in the community. The first petrol station was established as a franchise under British

Petroleum known as BP. In 1989 & 1990, a church, supermarkets, ATM’s and houses sprang

up around this developing area. The ‘De Bruyns” were one of the first family residents in the

area and are still living here today.

The Counsel of Scientific Industrial Research (C.S.R.I) had their base set up and parked in an

open area known as Wavecrest today, whilst planning, developing and excavating the land for

building construction. In the late 80’s and 90’s the counsel initiated a project called “Living

Homes”. A tuck- shop that traded out of a used truck trailer in Frigate Road was called “Pungs

Tuck-Shop” which late became “Vans Tuck-Shop”. It was the hangout for youngsters in the area

to come and play arcade games. Competitor house shops had pool tables to attract the other

youth of the area.

The clinic was established in 1980 at Saint Francis Anglican church. The church used

marquees, tents and often services were held at the Civic Center for prayer. The Civic Center

was also utilized as the venue for the first crèche known as “Dolphin Educare” which later

moved to Salmon Way. The mosque used the school, various homes and the sport field

premises for the Sallah Ghaana.

In 1978, the first sports club was founded, aptly named the Strandfontein soccer Football Club

(Srandfontein F.C.) also known as seagulls had to play their matches at the Westridge Sports

]Field, while the Strandfontein Sports Field was in development. Various other sport clubs

were 

established as years had passed.

The community’s children also played games in the bush and desolate and in-active roads

while building constructions continued around them. In the mid-80’s, a tinier village nearby

Dennegeur Road also known as “Die Gat” wont without electricity for a while whilst waiting on

the aid of the municipality to install and restore power! Crime was at a low in the village. In


car wash, video rentals café, butcher and another hairstylist.

In Caramel Way you’ll find the Baptist Church that hosts a soup kitchen during the week and

also has a day center. Right next the Baptist Church is the parish of The Assembly of God.

Further down Dennegeur Road is the Wavecrest Supermarket which also plays host to a few

smaller businesses on its premises, namely the Post Office, Alpha DSTV installation center, a

shoe shop, a pharmacy and internet café.

Dr Mohammed has a surgery operated from her home that is situated behind the Wavecrest

supermarket and she renders the service of a general practitioner. Two doors down is Allies

Barber Shop. A few more doors away gynecologist and pregnancy specialist. Steamboat


Road also hosts the businesses of a floor laminator and Mr. Ishmaeel Louw who owns a shuttle


car and taxi service. The Masjied Ul bagr (Mosque), madrassa (Muslim school) and crèche is

situated at the top of the hill on a singular premise.

Marlin Crescent is an attractive street and here you’ll find the beautiful Peace Garden and the

Peace

Cafe that is owned and maintained by Mr. Riedwaan Hartley. The Peace Garden is undergoing

reconstruction and development and in the near and exciting future we will have facilities with

the likes of an outdoor gymnasium, ampitheatre and multipurpose recreation center for indoor

sports and other activities. On Thursdays the Peace café caters the tastiest soup with vetkoek

and food plates for the needy all prepared in a professional kitchen designed for a take away

outlet. On the very same premises of the Peace Cafe is the headquarters of the Strandfontein

Business and Development Forum that has the premise of developing the community.

 In 2012 at 21 Marlin Crescent, FOCUS – Sobriety Residence was established by Mr. Jason

Fritz which is a center and home for people of all races and ages from our community and

other


surrounding areas in Cape Town, to find them and rehabilitate from abusive natures and

addictive personalities in a safe and controlled environment.

From this point on we enter into the so called, New Strandfontein Village.

The New Strandfontein Village

Developments came easily with the rezoning of the New Strandfontein Village by aid of the 

government.
 

In the late 80’s and early 90’s and as the years had passed the new village was built, in section 

by section. The council made building construction faster and more efficient with the aid of new 

machinery.

A project named ILCO HOMES was started in 1988 which was run by the council, and came to 

its completion sometime 1992. Most houses built in the New Strandfontein were single, 

free-standing houses. Later developments included semi-detached houses while park, 

pathway 

and roadway constructions were underway.

Residents of the “New Village” relied on the “Old Village” for groceries and necessities. 

Residents welcomed their new neighbours by sharing gifts, food and sweet things. 

The first building and landmark in the “New Village” is Dennegeur primary School.

Earlier this year in 2013,the “New Village” was completed. Playing host to a largercommunity 

with homes and operating businesses.

Hotspot hangouts are Wajid’s and Ghamzaa’s takeaways as well as the Blue Roof 

Supermarket. At the Blue Roof Supermarket you’ll find the larger grocery store namely OK 

Minimarket, Urban Cuts hair salon Paint Shop, hardware, Fish Den Fisheries, a Liquor store 

and a Chinese shop. There is also a Sallah Ghaana on the back end of the Blue Roof 

Supermarket.