Sites

Archive Import
History: The Oesterwal complex is a typical West Coast farm complex in simple vernacular style architecture with straight end gables and parapets. It consists of a large quadrangled structure which was originally an H-shaped house altered to serve as Residency; several outbuildings which served as wagon driver or troop quarters and three stables; a separate flat roofed dwelling facing the commonsward; and a _x001C_strandhie_x001D_.
The farm Oostewal was originally owned by Herman Oswald Eksteen, a wealthy farmer who had obtained a meat contract to supply the Dutch East India Company’s ships putting into Saldanha Bay with sheep. By 1721 he had also obtained the fish contract and had been elected a Burgher Councillor. A map in the Cape Archives drawn in 1723 shows three buildings on the farm Oostewal, while a later one shows four with the area labelled Burgemeester Eksteens Visplaats. He held the fish contract until his death.
In 1821 Lord Charles Somerset made a deal with the then owner, John Pigot Watney whereby he changed his quitrent of Klapmuts to ownership by Watney and took over Oostewal as the Government residency. In 1849 the farm was sold to Melt Jacobus Brink. Subsequent owners, such as Brand and Van Breda sold off portions with the result that Oostewal is now the same size as it was when it was granted to Henning Joachim Prehn. At that stage the farm was known as Geytensbergfontein.
The present owners, a syndicate of six, include the well-known Olympic yachtsman, Helmut Stauch, the editor of the South African Yachting magazine, Brian Lello (a designer too of yachts) while the other owners are Sir Mordaunt Milner, Charles Beresford, Dr. Arthur Bull and Mr. George Doudney.
The whole property, which was derelict and falling down when it was purchased by the abovementioned syndicate in 1960, have been restored to its present state of viability with living quarters for five families and sma shelters. Its character is already strictly controlled as no sub-divisions or fences are allowed. At present it is regarded as a private nature reserve, and known as “Oesterwal
Proclaimed: 1984"
Visual Description:
Colours:
Site Features:
Condition:
Construction Date:
Materials:
Catalogue: , No: , Significance Category: