Olivedale, Western Cape

It is a small farming community located at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains and marks the spot where the Buffeljagsriver and the Breede River meet.

The Olivedale, (Buffeljagsriver) area is a fertile region producing vegetables, citrus, persimmons, canola, milk and even lavender and peppers.

Establishment of the Farming District The Trek Boers started expanding from the Cape Colony and the governing body of the VOC in the early 1700s.

Until 1743 the farmers from the "verre afgeleegene districten" (as it was known by the VOC) lived very much in isolation as the nearest church and landdrost from Olivedale, Buffeljagsriver, was in Stellenbosch, which was not only a far way to travel but also very dangerous.

Olivedale, Buffeljagsrivier district was mainly livestock based including cattle and fat tailed sheep, which were later cross bred with Spanish Marinos to produce wool for export.