Jacobsbaai, West Coast

Established a few Decades ago, Jacobsbaai is a tranquil getaway between Vredenburg and Saldanha Bay. Home to a small community. Jacobsbaai was originally founded as a small Town on the Farmland registered as; '109 Jacobsbaai'. The name is said to have evolved from the Frenchman Jacques Titius. He was a Colonial Trader in the West Coast. Tietiesbaai is also named after him and Jacobsbaai has a street called Titius. Another explanation for the name is that the English king entrusted the piece of land to a local known as ‘Jacob.’ During the early 1800's a company called “ Stefan Bros” conducted trade along the West Coast and when this local farmer became indebted to them they took over his Farm on a 99 year lease holding basis as a way to pay off his debts. There was also a more sinister reason for the company to take over Farms along the coastline. In those days properties along the coastline had landing rights owned by the leaseholder and by controlling the landing rights other merchants could be stopped from entering the Area from the sea. The land where Jacobsbaai is located must have changed hands on a number of occasions over the years , but in 1984 it came into the possession of Nic Tredoux, well known in the advertising and copywriting industry. He was also a writer of many Afrikaans books and a Poet of note! Nic Tredoux started the original development of Jacobsbaai on his land using his own private funds but when his health started fading he went into partnership with a Private Company. The Town is known for its traditional West Coast building style of whitewashed cottages, some using local rock, as well as its abundant fish and crayfish (lobster). Most of the roads of the quiet little Town are gravel, adding to a relaxed holiday mood. Strict building restrictions in the Town have preserved the breathtaking two kilometers of coastline, boasting seven individual bays and lime washed Houses against an azure blue sea. The natural fynbos surrounding Jacobsbaai supports a variety of wildlife, including jackal, duiker, steenbok and tortoise. The Area is popular for birding, and species include buzzards, kites and eagles.
Some must-sees in the area include the Rocherpan Nature Reserve near Velddrift, Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and the Columbine Lighthouse at Paternoster, the West Coast National Park and the Fossil Park at Langebaan - all offering an insight in the natural History of this Area!

Geolocation
17° 52' 8.4", -32° 58' 19.2"

The South African Astronomical Observatory celebrates 200 years of its existence

The South African Astronomical Observatory

On 20 October 1820, the Royal Observatory Cape of Good Hope, which became known as the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) was founded. It is the oldest scientific institution in the country. The institution was formally controlled by the British Admiralty. Its purpose was to observe the southern skies and to provide a time service for ships passing Cape Town harbour. The Observatory is known for its history and its immense contribution to positional astronomy in the southern hemisphere. Besides, its buildings are regarded for their special architectural significance.

Celebrating 200 years of the South African Astronomical Observatory by Karel van der Vyver (Daily Maverick), 16 October 2020

Construction of the McClean telescope 1896

Perched on the outskirts of Observatory in Cape Town, just above the Black River, stands the South African Astronomical Observatory; initially known as the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, it has multiple telescopes, a museum, a mechanical workshop that can “build, maintain and support the various instruments used on telescopes in Sutherland”, and a library.

Now, the observatory is turning 200, and on the day of our visit, the place is bustling with people busy sanding the inside of the building, painting walls, and preparing the observatory ahead of the celebrations.

Language

Delgoa Bay Now Known as Maputo Bay, Mozambique

Delgoa Bay is a Bay on the South East coast of Mozambique, East Africa, near the South African border. Discovered by António do Campo, a member of Vasco da Gama’s expedition (1502), it was first explored by Lorenzo Marques, a Portuguese trader, in 1544. It was important as an outlet for ivory and slaves, as a way station for Indian Ocean trade, and as an avenue of approach to South African diamond fields and goldfields. Ownership was contested by the Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Boers until by arbitration (1875) it was awarded to Portugal.

Geolocation
32° 26' 38.4", -26° 4' 22.8"