“Porterville is a picturesque town on the slopes of the beautiful Olifants River Mountains at the foot of Voorberg. Originally the region was inhabited by San (Bushmen) tribes, centuries before the arrival of the Dutch Settlers and the mountains in the region contain numerous relics of the past, the most enigmatic being a rock art painting of a sailing ship in the Groot Winterhoek Mountains east of Porterville. This unspoilt country town is a land of extremes, offering diversity, hospitality and authenticity. The region is famous for the rarest of flowers, the Disa Uniflora. It is the only place in South Africa where one can see fields of these flowers in nature, the rarest being the sulphur-yellow Disa, which has been found only in one small colony in Porterville. “”
Geographical Description of Ward 1
Porterville is an unusual find in a magnificent setting at the foot of the Olifants River mountains, 27 km south-east of Piketberg. It is characterized by wide, tree-lined streets, neat homes and gardens, and some graciously restored Victorian houses. The town was established in 1863 and is classified as a central place. Sound infrastructure has contributed towards the establishment of Regional Kaap-Agri offices, as well as the Voorberg prison. Originally the region was inhibited by the San before the arrival of the Dutch Settlers centuries ago. Climatic conditions vary from dry, sizzling summers with powerful thermals followed by the dramatic scenic snow topped mountains during the winter.
The town made history when the yellow Disa Uniflora was discovered. The rare Disa flower grows wild here and blooms red and yellow in summer. Porterville serves as an ideal place for camping, hiking and breathing deeply as two rivers run through the beautiful landscape, home to Redfins and Yellowfins (both fish species). Bird life is plentiful and visitors can frolic in rock pools and waterfalls. The town of approximately 7 000 residents is already well-known abroad among the gliding fraternity as it annually plays host to a number of international and national competitions. The thermals of the mountains contribute to perfect paragliding conditions. Visitors can smell, taste and buy local produce, available in town and on surrounding farms, pick figs during season, see how pomegranate and the citrus products are processed or sample local olives, honey and almonds. Porterville also offers barrel fermented wines produced by garagists or wine at the Porterville depot of the Tulbagh Wine Cellar. The smell of fynbos can be enjoyed as you drive up the mountain and visit an export cut flowers farm – home to the endemic Protea magnifica (Queen Protea). Porterville offers all the necessary shops and amenities for easy living.
The town has been divided into two historical areas due to the apartheid dispensation. The historic white area is centred behind the main road and has easy access to the central business district which is predominantly in the main road. This area is geographically part of Ward 1. An historical coloured area, known as Monte Bertha, is further removed from the central business district as a remnant of the apartheid era and forms part of Ward 2.
The following is a demarcation map of Ward 1:
