South African family history, genealogy, heritage and interesting places, past and present. All articles researched and written by Anne Lehmkuhl. COPYRIGHT ANNE LEHMKUHL, no article can be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. EMAIL ME
Old canals discovered in Cape Town
It is hoped that the revitalisation of the Grand Parade, South Africa's oldest public space, will be completed before the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The Grand Parade is the traditional heart of Cape Town. From here people such as General Jan Smuts, the Royal Family, and Nelson Mandela have addressed the public. Recently, the revitalisation project has led to the discovery of canals built in the 1660s. After Jan van Riebeeck's arrival in April 1652, the Dutch settlers built a fort on the site where the Grand Parade is today. Canals were built around the fort. The fort was built close to the mouth of the Vars Rivier, and the seashore was about where the train station is today. The settlers lived in the fort while the Castle was being built. They built a dam on the Vars River, and later built the canals and diverted the river into the canals. A team of archaeologists from the University of Cape Town has been digging out the soil that fill the old canals. The canals were 6 metres wide and were built in the 1660s. The Grand Parade revitalisation project might now be changed to include the old canals.