Towns and suburbs

Mamre

Mamre

History of Mamre

Province: Western Cape
Coordinates: 33.517°S 18.467°E
Area: 1.87 km2
Municipality; City of Cape Town

 A Historic Mission Settlement 

Located just 17 kilometres from Darling, Mamre is a charming mission settlement with a rich history and cultural heritage. The village features picturesque whitewashed cottages, each with its own garden and surrounded by stately oak trees. Cape Governor Simon van der Stel established Mamre, originally called Groenkloof, in the late 1600s.

Military Outpost Transforms Into a Mission Station

The area began as a military and cattle post, De Kleine Post, in 1701 to protect settlers and their livestock from the Khoikhoi. The outpost also served as a trading station until it closed in 1791. In 1808, two Moravian missionaries from Germany, Kohrhammer and Schmitt, established a mission on the site with support from Cape Governor Lord Caledon. They repurposed the old military buildings, constructing a school and a church, both of which became national monuments. The Moravian Church founded its second mission station here, and the town adopted the name Mamre in 1854 after the biblical site, meaning “fatness.”

Historic Landmarks and Cultural Heritage

Mamre grew into a center for education, where community members learned various skills. The village boasts several heritage buildings, including:

  • The Long House: Originally a farmhouse, this building housed the garrison between 1701 and 1791.
  • The Parsonage: Built in 1701, this structure remains a key historical site.
  • The Mission Church: Featuring a Cape Dutch gable, this church, built in 1814, still hosts services today.
  • The Water Mill: Constructed in 1844, this mill replaced an earlier horse mill from 1830 and now functions as a museum. Craftsmen sourced the iron parts from a disused mill in Cape Town.
  • Other Structures: Visitors can also explore the school, stables, bakery, packing shed, and the village’s oldest building, dating back to 1697, which initially served as a homestead before becoming garrison barracks in the 18th century.

Mamre’s rich history, well-preserved buildings, and peaceful atmosphere make it an intriguing destination for those interested in South Africa’s colonial past and mission history. 

 Postal codes for Mamre (street) 7349. PO box. 7347

Things to see and do in Mamre

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Useful Numbers

  • Police: 021 576 0693
  • Traffic department: Atlantis Traffic Department-021 444 1330
  • Fire: Atlantis Fire Station-021 444 4260
  • Water: 0860 103 089
  • Electricity:0860 103 089
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • Post office;021 576 100
  • Closest hospital;Mamre Community Health Centre-021 576 1175
  • Mamre Community Centre/Paradise Lane Hall and Mamre Community hall:021 444 3605 
  • Library:021 576 1661
  • Pharmacy;Clicks – Atlantis-021 572 2492
  • SPCA: 021 700 4140
  • Schools: Mamre Primary School-021 576 1115

Local Listings