History of
Paarden Eiland

Jan van Riebeeck's hunting grounds

Jan van Riebeeck's diaries make frequent reference to hunting game in the wilderness around the mouths of the Salt, Black and Diep Rivers — the area now known as Paarden Eiland. Hippopotamus in the rivers was a hazard to watch out for.

When the northwest storms of winter raged, the lee shore of Woodstock and Paarden Eiland beach became the graveyard of between 80 and 100 sailing ships, lost to dragging anchors. Wolraad Woltemade became the enduring hero of 1773, rescuing passengers from the wreck of the Jonge Thomas on horseback before both man and horse drowned from exhaustion.

From wilderness to farmland

Maps of 1786 show well-defined farms across the area. Horses, cattle and sheep grazed alongside crops on the higher ground toward modern Milnerton. The first "free burghers" of the Dutch East India Company were granted land to farm along the Liesbeek River in 1657 — the river itself named after a small waterway in Holland.

Lime, salt, and the beginnings of manufacture

Lime was produced from the blue mussel shells washed up on the beach. The first lime kilns were fuelled with timbers salvaged from ship wrecks — an early exercise in recycling. Wheat milling, fish drying and salt production were all facilitated by the frequent southeaster winds in summer.

Seawater ponds formed behind the beach during winter storms; the sun and wind of summer evaporated them, leaving salt deposits. The relative isolation of the area also saw it used to house smallpox leper patients, and later as a sewage and refuse dump.

Construction of Marine Drive

Construction of the Marine Drive was started by the Cape Town municipality in 1916. This was very different to the Marine Drive of today — flooding by the seas, sand, seaweed and flotsam were not unusual hazards on the road.

Proclaimed an industrial area

Paarden Eiland was actively promoted and proclaimed an industrial area in 1935. Land was sold for 4½ pence per square foot. By 1968, it was trading at R1.50 per square foot.

The new industrial suburb boasted one of the country's first motor assembly plants — Atkinson's Motors — which occupied the building now housing Kondylis Motors and other tenants on Paarden Eiland Road. Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, and De Soto cars were built here. Water table flooding in parts of the factory was a problem when the nearby sea ran high.

The modern industrial era

Paarden Eiland developed as a modern industrial area particularly after World War II. Epping and then Bellville opened up and attracted the larger expanding enterprises. Smaller production units proliferated in Paarden Eiland, and then warehousing, distribution and servicing of finished goods became prevalent.

Industry waned and commercial activity replaced it. This process continues to the present day with more mini-factories becoming a feature, now being developed under sectional title ownership. From car manufacturing, steel engineering, textiles, cool drink bottling, ice cream plants, foundries, bakeries, hides/skins and wool stores — the area has evolved into a retail and entertainment destination.

The Industrialists' Association is born

The Paarden Eiland Industrialists & Ratepayers Association was founded in 1947 by Louis Glassman, a prominent property and business owner in the area. In 1972 the Metro Industrial Township joined the scheme and it was renamed the Paarden Eiland & Metro Association — PEMA.

Working closely with the City Council, PEMA continued its work maintaining and improving the area. But as membership was voluntary, it became increasingly evident that contributing businesses were carrying those who did not pay.

A City Improvement District is established

The establishment of the Paarden Eiland City Improvement District (PECID) was approved by the Cape Town City Council in May 2005. After eight months of administrative delays, the CID officially began work in March 2006.

After 58 years of voluntary membership by the few, PEMA became PECID — a Section 21 Company owned and financially supported by all property owners in Paarden Eiland. The CID model ensures that everyone contributes to the upkeep of the area, and that it is professionally managed for the benefit of all.

MyCiTi BRT connects the city

On Saturday 5 July 2014, MyCiTi launched the N2 Express routes — the first pathways designed to connect Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha with central Cape Town, passing through Paarden Eiland. This opened the area to a far wider workforce and customer base.