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Green Point – Sea Point

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In the 19 century the Green Point – Sea Point area had a small but influential population
of a few hundred who guarded their independence jealously. It became a combined
municipality in 1859 and survived independently until amalgamation into Cape Town in

1913. A statement in the Cape Argus of 25 September 1863 predicted that the population
of Green Point (about 300) would double in 3 years and it would “be to Cape Town what

Brighton is to London.” (quoted in Murray, 1964.)

The municipal area included the slopes of the Lion’s Head massif and the flat terrace at

its foot from Green Point Common southward to Botany Bay. On the terrace at Green

Point was a small natural depression that was filled by winter streams draining the nearby
slopes. In 1889 the Green Point Sailing and Canoe Club was formed, the banks were

raised and all the stormwater channelled into it making a small lake with a circumference
of about a mile, a diameter of about 500 yds, and a depth of 5 ft. For ten years it was a

popular venue for canoeing and small boat sailing but a mosquito problem developed and
in 1899 it was drained, filled in and covered eventually with sports fields. (Fig. 3.35.)

The coastline was harsh, rocky and exposed to huge seas during winter storms but had a
few inlets and pocket beaches where swimming was possible. Primitive pools were

constructed during the 1880s and 1890s. But attitudes to swimming were Victorian and
probably curtailed its popularity: mixed bathing was not tolerated and municipal

regulations forbade bathing from Sea Point beach after 8 a.m. Breaches of regulations
were met with outrage and angry letters to the press:

“On several occasions lately a man has so far forgotten the canons of decency as to
undress and bathe in the sea in the presence of ladies and children on the beach at Sea
Point between the hours of 5 o’clock and 6 o’clock in the afternoon. The attention of the
local authorities being called thereto will, no doubt, prevent the repetition of such
disgusting conduct.”

The Argus, 1865, quoted in Murray, 1964.