Tradouw Pass is a pass through the Langeberg mountain range in South Africa. It is part of the R324 and is the main road between Swellendam and Barrydale in the Western Cape.
| Tradouw Pass | |
|---|---|
 The Tradouw Pass in South Africa, linking Barrydale with Swellendam and Heidelberg through the Langeberg Mountains. | |
| Elevation | 351 m (1,152 ft) |
| Length | 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) |
| Traversed by | R324 |
| Location | Swellendam, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Range | Langeberg |
| Coordinates | 33°58′32.2″S 20°42′06.6″E / 33.975611°S 20.701833°E |
 | |
  Tradouw Pass (Western Cape) | |
History
editIn 1868, the Cape administration decided to build a road through the pass and appointed Thomas Bain to construct the route.[1] It was built by convict labour.[1] On 27 October 1873, Cape Governor Sir Henry Barkly opened the route and named it Southey Pass after magistrate Robert Southey.[1] The name was not popular, and the current name stuck.[1]
Its name is derived from the Khoi words tarras, 'women' and doas, 'poort or the way through'; who first used the route through the Langeberg.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Tradouw". Standard encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. Vol. 10 Sle–Tun. Cape Town: Nasou. 1974. p. 560. ISBN 978-0-625-00326-6. LCCN 79-113594 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Welcome to the Cape Overberg, South Africa - The Tradouw Pass". www.overberg.co.za. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ Ross, Graham (2003). The Romance of the Cape Mountain Passes. South Africa: New Africa Books. pp. 38–43. ISBN 9780864865960.
External links
edit- The dictionary definition of poort at Wiktionary
