Towns and suburbs

Worcester

The Breede River area was teeming with game and VOC licences issued for trading elephant tusks.

History of Worcester

Wildlife and Elephant Tusks

Before 1700, the area around the Breede River was abundant with wildlife. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) granted licenses for hunting, including the trade of elephant tusks. The indigenous Khoi people traded livestock with European settlers, but a smallpox epidemic in 1713, brought by the Europeans, nearly wiped out the Khoi population.

Establishment of the town

The town was established in 1818 by Lord Charles Somerset, following a suggestion to create a new municipality between Tulbagh and Graaff-Reinet. Worcester was founded on the farm Hooivlakte and named after the eldest son of Lord Charles Somerset’s brother, the Marquis of Worcester. The town’s name first appeared in the government gazette in 1819, announcing the sale of plots. Worcester was declared a separate district in 1822 and was granted municipal status in 1842. The first electrical generators, powered by a pipeline from the Fonteintjies Mountain, were installed in 1916.

German Settlers and Viticulture

The sale of town plots was delayed due to civil unrest on the Eastern border, but on February 28, 1820, the Union Jack was raised to signal the start of sales. German settlers, skilled in agriculture, improved the land and cultivated fruit. However, after World War II, the declining demand for dried fruit led farmers to shift their focus to viticulture. When the town was being laid out, the magistrate of Tulbagh ordered the collection of oak trees, and 48 were planted along the streets of Worcester, many of which still stand today.

Returning War Veterans

. After World War I, Black African veterans returned to Worcester, where they were employed as cheap labour for construction projects. Due to a housing shortage, a squatter camp developed at Parkersdam.

The license plate prefix is CW and the postal codes are  6850 (streets) and 6849 (boxes)

weather in Worcester today

Things to see and do in Worcester

  • Afrikaaner museum is in an attractive old cottage with a collection dating back to the mid-nineteenth century.  There is a display showing surgeries that were performed at that time and a display of dental and surgical equipment that was used. used. The cottage was originally a residential home. 75 Church Street-023 342-2225
  • Kleinplaasie showgrounds
  • Pioneer School Heaven & Hills MTB – raises funds for the Visually Impaired and Blind 023 342 6244
  • Worcester is known for its schools for the blind.
  • Worcester is the only town in SA that has traffic lights that emit sounds to signal colour changes to enable blind people to cross safely
  • Nuy Valley Fest
  • The Rainbow 30km race is held annually it is an out-and-back course from the Institute for the Deaf Sports Grounds.  082-771-1543
  • The Beesloop is held during March. It includes a road race between vineyards and orchards, a fun walk, a fun fair, tractor rides, and more at The farm Oudewagendrift 082-3318889  Evd20@hotmail.com
  • Karoo National Botanical Garden
  • Dutch Reformed Church, Built in 1832

Useful Numbers

  • Police: 023 316 1854
  • Traffic department: 023 347 0959
  • Home affairs: 021 763 6400/ 6405 / 6410 /6423
  • Home Affairs: 023 348 8300
  • Fire: 023 348 9060
  • Water: 0860 12 12 12
  • Electricity: 0860 12 12 12
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • Post office; 023 342 6460
  • Library: 023 348 2773
  • Closest hospital; Provincial Hospital Worcester-023 348 1100
  • Pharmacy; 023 347 0844 (Quenet’s Family)
  • SPCA: Animal welfare 023 347 1049
  • Schools:
  • Worcester Primary School-023 347 0663
    Worcester Gymnasium-023 347 0426
    Lanner House School | An independentschool-023 347 5837
    Drostdy Technical High School-023 342 2320
    Worcester Secondary School-023 342 0857
    Victoria Park Primary School, Worcester-023 342 0770
    Worcester-Noord Primêre Skool sports grounds-023 347 0325
    Hexpark Primary School-023 347 5537
    P.J.B. Cona Primary School-023 345 1434
    Riverview Primary School-023 347 1817
    Laerskool Worcester-Oos-023 347 0453
    Somerset High School-023 346 4031
    Worcester NGK Oefen Primary Scool – 0233423993
    Vusisizwe Secondary School-023 345 2426
    Hoërskool Montana 023 347 0476
    Esselen Park Senior Sec School-023 347 0174
    Worcester RK Primary School – 0233423133                                                                                   Scherpenheuwel NGK Primary School 0233404149
  • Museum; 023 342 2225
  • Tourism; 023 348 2795

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