Gateway to the Interior: 

Swellendam was established as settlers ventured into South Africa’s interior it played a crucial role as a gateway to the inland regions. Founded in 1743, it became the third oldest magisterial district in the country. It was named after Hendrik Swellengrebel and his wife Helena Ten Damme. He was the first South African-born governor. The town quickly grew as the last outpost before the interior, driving demand for goods and services. Craftsmen, wainwrights, and traders soon settled around the Drostdy building, lending essential skills to the surrounding agricultural community.

It was also significant in the history of Merino sheep farming in South Africa. The first Merino sheep, descended from Spanish stock, were introduced to the area in 1803, establishing the foundation for a thriving agricultural industry.

Independence

The Republic of Swellendam briefly emerged in 1795 due to dissatisfaction with Dutch East India Company rule. They appointed Hermanus Steyn as president. This bold act of self-governance demonstrated a growing desire for autonomy. The burghers adopted the term “national burghers” in a spirit that echoed revolutionary spirit but the Cape’s subsequent occupation by Britain ended the rebellion. The arrival of British settlers further boosted Swellendam’s growth as a vital refreshment station along the coastal route. Today, Swellendam remains a prosperous agricultural hub.

in the early 19th century, Swellendam and the broader Overberg region experienced a period of prosperity and expansion. Swellendam was a key base for the Overberg merchant empire, largely thanks to the entrepreneurial vision of Joseph Barry, an English trader. Barry, along with his family company, which even issued its own banknotes and ran a courier service between the Breede River and Cape Town. Barry and Nephews dominated the trade in the area until around 1870. They used the navigable Breede River, which allowed ships to travel 35 kilometres inland as far as Malgas. Barry’s enterprise facilitated the transportation of goods and established Swellendam as a vibrant commercial hub.

In 1864,  The Great Western Agricultural Show was held here highlighting its importance in the region. The town boasted early amenities such as a library and a racecourse, reflecting its development.

In 2011, the town reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of The New South Africa, symbolically re-declaring itself a republic focused on respect for people and nature.