Chas Everitt International Property in Strand

Strand (Afrikaans for 'beach') is a seaside resort town situated on the eastern edge of False Bay and at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Its geographical position is just between Macassar and Gordon's Bay, and is about 50 km southeast of Cape Town. Strand is in the Western Cape province of South Africa, and has a population of approximately 50 000.[1] Strand's main attraction is the beach; five kilometers of white sandy beach lapped by the waters of False Bay.

History

Strand originated a few hundred years ago as a holiday and fishing resort and was founded in 1714. In 1970, during Apartheid, all non-whites were forcefully resettled when the town was classified as a white-only resort. A notable community that was forced to leave at this time were the descendants of Cape Malay slaves who had escaped from Cape Town over 100 years earlier[citation needed]. They lost their homes but their mosque still stands today.

It is now regarded as part of the greater city of Cape Town itself, because the City Cape Town took over Strand's municipal powers. It is 10 km away from the inland town of Somerset West, however recent expansion of both towns have resulted in it being built completely fixed to each other, with shopping malls and residential complexes creating the connections. Strand forms part of the Helderberg Basin, together with Somerset West and Gordon's Bay.

It has great views of the Cape Peninsula and fine beaches. During the summer, tourists from inland - mainly Johannesburg - flock to the area and this tourism is the principal source of local income[citation needed]. This has been the case since at least 1950. Even in those days the town was popular with visitors from the north and was home to quite a few retired veterans of the Boer War. There is a train service from Strand to the central business district of Cape Town. The great coastal road that makes its way up the eastern seaboard of the Cape rises into the coastal ranges from near Strand.

Strand also accommodates one of the largest dynamite factories in South Africa. These dynamite sites are owned by the AECI group. Rumour has it that the area is going to be remade into a waterfront, but this has not yet been confirmed.

Tourism

The sun seen in the late afternoon on one of Strand's beaches.The beach is known to be one of the best and safest bathing areas in the country. Facilities on or nearby include Dune Park with a super tube and mini-golf and Harmony Park which boasts a huge tidal pool. Water sports may be conducted from various points along the beach front.

For the sporting enthusiast Strand offers a wide variety of organised sport including a golf course capable of hosting international events, tennis courts, rugby fields, squash clubs, jukskei, and water sports like surfing, sailing, power boating, paddle skiing and board sailing. The Pipe is a part of the beach marked off for surfers and is known for its big, "surfable" waves.

Strand also boasts an Olympic-sized, covered, centrally heated swimming pool which is open all year round. The coast between the Lourens River mouth and up to Rooi Els is very popular with beach fishermen and rock anglers, whilst organised and social diving activities beckon the more adventurous.