The development of Groblershoop in the Northern Cape was a process.
The first attempt at providing irrigation to this arid area was by Charles Newberry, in 1913, when he built his historic turbine in the Orange River, now called the Gariep River, with cement shipped from France to Algoa Bay and carted to his farm Winstead by donkey cart.
In 1929, the government stepped in, and Groblershoop started off as a construction site for the Boegoeberg Dam, a huge project built for irrigation and which transformed the area into an agricultural wonderland. The construction formed part of an extensive economic development plan to uplift the poor white Afrikaners at the time. Once the dam was completed, it took hard work and courage by the farming community to transform the desert into viable stock and wine farms. Today, the visitor is amazed at the difference between the green strip along the river and the arid regions of the landscape, all making for great photography.
The area is now a major wine producer. The cellar outside the town is one of 5 of the Oranjerivier Wine Cellars and the first on the Orange River Wine route. Oranjerivier Wine Cellars is the largest co-operative cellars in Africa and the second largest in the world. Groblershoop is currently a main source of export for large table grapes and sultana’s.
The Boegoeberg Dam, the third largest dam in the Orange River, is situated 35 km from Groblershoop on a gravel road, and its huge expanse of water is well suited to angling, skiing, canoeing and sailing. Accommodation is available in chalets or camping. +27 (0)83 257-4730. E-mail.
The town has petrol, several food stores, a butcher, bank, post office and police station and is at the junction of the N8 from Kimberley and Griquastad and the N10 from Prieska and Marydale.
For more information on the Green Kalahari, visit ShowMe.
