Boknesstrand in Eastern Cape Area Overview | Seeff Property Group
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Boknesstrand at a glance
To someone who is familiar with Afrikaans, the word ‘Boknes’ evokes the possibility that this little
village is a place where little buck have made a nest, a den or even a colony. Not so. The word
derives from the word ‘Bocana’ or ‘Bokana’ meaning ‘father’s river’ in the language of the Khoikhoi
and San Bushmen who were the original inhabitants of the Sunshine Coast. Evidence of their
residence can be seen from middens scattered along the shoreline at various places. The village of
Boknes lies at the mouth of the Boknes River in an area that was originally known as Jammerfontein.
This is a secluded spot, right off the beaten track on 1,57 square kilometres of coastal land within the
municipality of Ndlambe. On the night of the census in 2011, it had 318 inhabitants of whom the
majority (74%) spoke Afrikaans and 24% spoke English. As with other villages along the coast, its
population doubles or even trebles over holiday seasons.
Boknes is within easy walking distance of Kwaaihoek, the place where Bartholomew Dias planted the
first of his three stone crosses (Padrao) on his return journey to Portugal in 1488. This first one was
erected on 12 March 1488 and commemorates Pope St Gregory I (590-604AD) ― Padrao de Sao
Gregorio ―who is the patron saint of musicians.
Prof Axelson, from the University of the Witwatersrand, found remnants of the cross lying in the sea
in 1938. The pieces were integrated and reconstructed, and sent to the University for safe-keeping.
Today a replica of the stone cross stands high up on a cliff over the place where the remnants were
found. It is well worth walking the distance to this poignant spot where South Africa’s first
monument was found, and its first land claim was staked.
Most of the houses in Boknes stretch in a line along the coast or are nestled on the side of a large
lagoon. The only shop is a small tearoom. The road that links the village to the R 72 is tarred and
makes a pleasant drive through farmlands, mainly dairy. In all, the village lies 14 km from Kenton on
Sea; 19 kms from Alexandria, 139 from Port Elizabeth and 71 from Grahamstown. Thus, it is within
easy reach of the shops, hospitals, schools and tertiary institutions provided in Kenton on Sea, Port
Alfred and Grahamstown. In addition, since it lies on the coast, it is within easy reach of the Woody
Cape section of Addo Elephant Park and the many private game reserves in the area.
SEEFF has a stock of beautiful beachfront and seaside properties to offer in this little village. Some
are luxurious and cater for a more decadent lifestyle of relaxation and entertainment. All the houses
are new builds and range from wooden chalets to designer-built mansions. Most of them have
sweeping views of the pristine white sands that stretch for miles in both directions along the
Sunshine Coast. Since the crime rate in Boknes is low, largely due to a very effective neighbourhood
watch system, properties, set on large pieces of land, are generally not surrounded by high walls and
electric fences. The atmosphere is relaxed and congenial. In addition, SEEFF offers a selection of
vacant land waiting for you to build your dream seaside home.
As jy Afrikaans verstaan dan laat die naam 'Boknes' jou dink dat hierdie klein dorpie 'n plek is
waar bokke nesgemaak het, maar dit is nie die geval nie. Die woord kom van 'Bocana' of
'Bokana' wat beteken 'rivier van my vader' in die taal van die Khoi en die San, die oorspronklike
inwoners van die Sonskynkusgebied. Oorblysfsels van hul verblyf kan gevind word in die
skulpashope wat plek­plek langs die kuslyn voorkom. Die dorp Boknes lê aan die mond van die
Boknesrivier in 'n omgewing wat oorspronklik bekend was as Jammerfontein.
Die weggesteekte, afgeleë dorpie beslaan 1,57 vierkante kilometer en lê binne die Munisipaliteit
van Ndlambe. Die dorp het ongeveer 300 inwoners, waarvan die meerderheid (74%)
Afrikaanssprekend is. Soos met ander dorpies langs die kus vermeerder die inwonertal tot
tienvoudig gedurende die vakansieseisoen.
Boknes is binne maklike stapafstand van Kwaaihoek, die plek waar Bartholomeus Dias die eerste
van drie kruise, of “Padraos”, geplant het tydens sy terugreis na Portugal in 1488. Die eerste
kruis is op 12 Maart 1488 opgerig ter nagedagtenis van Pous St Gregorius 1 (590­604AD) –
“Padrao de Sao Gregorio” – die beskermheilige van musici.
Prof Axelson, van die Universiteit van die Witwatersrand, het in 1938 oorblyfsels van die kruis
gekry in die see. Die stukke is weer aanmekaargesit en herbou en aan die Universiteit gestuur vir
bewaring. Vandag is daar 'n replika van die klipkruis wat hoog bo­op 'n krans staan, op die plek
waar die oorblyfsels gevind is. Dit is beslis die moeite werd om die afstand te stap tot by hierdie
aangrypende plek waar Suid­Afrika se eerste Westerse monument gevind is.
Meeste van die huise in Boknes lê al langs die kus of langs die rand van 'n strandmeer. Die
enigste winkel is 'n klein teekamer. Die pad wat die dorp verbind met die R72 is geteer en sorg vir
'n aangename rit, meestal deur melkplase. Die dorp is geleë 14km vanaf Kenton­on­Sea, 19km
vanaf Alexandria, 139 km vanaf Port Elizabeth en 71km vanaf Grahamstad. Winkels, hospitale,
skole en tersiêre instellings in Kenton­on­Sea, Port Aflred en Grahamstad is dus maklik
bekombaar. Dit lê ook naby Woody Cape, 'n gedeelte van Addo Olifantpark, en die vele privaat
wildparke in die omgewing.
SEEFF het 'n voorraad van pragtige strandfront­ en ander eiendomme om aan te bied in Boknes.
Huise variëer van hout chalets tot luukse argitekontwerpte huise. Meeste bied wye uitsigte oor
die ongerepte sandstrande, wat vir myle in albei rigtings strek. Aangesien die misdaadsyfer in
Boknes baie laag is, veral as gevolg van 'n baie effektiewe buurtwag, word huise nie omring deur
hoë mure en elektriese heinings nie. Daar heers 'n ontspanne en 'n gemoedelike atmosfeer.
SEEFF het ook 'n verskeidenheid leë standplase wat wag vir jou om jou droom­vakansiehuis op
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