Boknesstrand

WHERE DOES THE NAME “BOKNES” COME FROM?

There are many theories about the origin of the name “Boknes”. With refence to documents by Gordon (1785) “Boknes” was called “Bocna” - also the “Hottentot” form of “Vadersriviertjie.”

In the Moodie Record (1809) Collins referred to it as “on the banks of a fine stream called “Bokenax”

The Xhosas referred to Dias Cross as the “Baken” and from there the name Bakanasstrand.”

The Afrikaans revision from Bakanasrivier to Boknes points to the vast amount of bluebuck and bushbuck that lived and is still living in the bush.


The Daniel Scheepers – Hall

Daniel Scheepers made provision for the building of a hall on his plot on the corner of Second Avenue and Daniel Scheepers Street . Messrs Jan Scheepers, Eben Cuyler and Dawid Muller started to raise money and in 1954 the “Daniel Scheepers-hall” was finished and initiated by Mr Dawid Muller. Tennis courts have been built next to the hall and with the years this has become the heart of all activities. With the years a new hall has been build at the tennis courts with modern facilities. At the moment the old hall is being changed into a modern holiday house, just opposite the Boknesstrand shop.

As the head figure in this piece of history more information about Daniel Scheepers need to be given. He was a very attractive man with strong build, black hair, bright blue eyes and a loud voice. You could hear him shout from the beach where he sat on the stoep of his premises giving orders to his workers. Daniel was not only the owner of Boknes – he was also the heart and soul thereof. He will also be remembered for his services to the community. At the “Opstal” he had a butchery and because fridges was still a luxury he delivered fresh meat on order at peoples homes and also at the camping site on a regularly basis.

At about the late twenties – early thirties Daniel Scheepers hired a surveyor to measure the first twenty- two stands. It was a double row of stands on the lagoon front, between First and Second Avenue. Mr J H Potgieter bought the first two stands on the corner of Voortrekker Street and First Avenue for 25 pounds. That was the highest bid. All the buyers had to buy 2 stands because the only entrance was from inland. This was the founding of Boknesstrand.