Cederberg Municipality

The Cederberg Municipality is situated in the West Coast district, between Matzikama (north), Bergriver (south), the Atlantic Ocean (west) and the Northern Cape Province (east) Geologically the Cederberg is part of the Cape Fold Belt and consists mainly of Table Mountain sandstone. Weathered sandstone formations are typical of the Cederberg.

Cederberg Municipality borders the Cape Winelands district (south) in the South, Bergriver Local Municipality (west) and the Northern Cape Province (east). It includes the communities of Clanwilliam, Citrusdal, Lamberts Bay, Graafwater, Elands Bay and Wupperthal.

San and Khoi people inhabited the Cederberg area from earliest times.The Cederberg offers hundreds of rocky overhangs and caves with fine examples of rock art. The paintings vary in age between 300 and 600 years.The Cederberg is the richest gallery of rock art in the world

Winters in the Cederberg are cold and wet while summers are warm and dry.In winter night temperatures drop sharply while in summer temperatures reach as high as 46&degC. Vegetation is predominantly mountain fynbos. Ceder trees are dying out despite the protection offered.

The Cederberg municipality has many attractions which include the rock art of the ancient San, Meintjies River Nature Reserve, Cederberg Wilderness Area, bird-watching activities, historical buildings, Cape fynbos and wildflowers in the flower season, water sports and 4x4 routes.

It is also famous for its ‘veldskoene’ (field-shoes). Buchu, a medical herb, grows in the mountains in the area, while rooibos is also planted and cultivated here.

Cederberg contributed 9.9% to the district GDPR, in 2004. The Cederberg economy is mainly driven by Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing (27.7%) and Wholesale & Retail trade; Catering & Accommodation (23.0%) followed by Manufacturing (12.4%) and Financial & Business services (11.6%) sectors.

Cederberg has one of the smaller populations in the West Coast District – 14.0% of the district’s population in 2006. However, the population is expected to grow at an average rate of 2.3% a year between 2006 and 2010. Its share of the district population remained around the 14.0% mark. In-migration of between 800 to 1 100 people a year is expected to contribute to the population growth.