Graafwater is a town in the Sandveld in the Western Cape province of South Africa situated 300 km from Cape Town, about halfway between Clanwilliam and Lamberts Bay. Graafwater is the Afrikaans term for "digging for water" referring to the Afrikaans farming culture found in South Africa at the time of establishment. It is located in the Cederberg Municipality.

Graafwater
Graafwater Show map of Western Cape Graafwater Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 32°9′S 18°36′E
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
District	West Coast
Municipality	Cederberg
Area [1]
• Total	1.88 km2 (0.73 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	2,261
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	2.3%
• Coloured	83.1%
• Indian/Asian	0.2%
• White	14.2%
• Other	0.1%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Afrikaans	97.4%
• English	1.2%
• Other	1.5%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	8120
PO box	8120
Area code	027

Graafwater is often divided into Graafwater North and Graafwater South.

After the railway junction between Cape Town and Bitterfontein was built in 1910, the town Graafwater was established. The local Dutch Reformed Church of Leipoldtville developed the town further. The Graafwater Dutch Reformed church formed its own congregation after a few years.

Tourist attractions

• The Heerenlogement - A cave about 30 km from the town that 'lodged' both Simon van der Stel and Olaff Bergh.

References