The Riebeek Valley would have been known to indigenous Khoi people, but was first described by a party of Cape Dutch explorers under the leadership of Pieter Cruythoff in 1661.

General Jan Christiaan Smuts was born on the farm Bovenplaats, two km north of Riebeek West on 24 May 1870.

With the general election of 1948, Riebeek West became a political hotbed with the leaders of the two main contesting parties both being from the village.

Daniel François Malan was born on the farm Allesverloren, which abuts the town on the southern side, on 22 May 1874.

[3] The Olive Festival is held annually early in May and the Berg River Canoe Marathon passes there in July.