Page 24 - KBHA BULLETIN 5
P. 24
21
THE STORY OF BOYES DRIVE
Barrie Gasson
Introduction
The story of Boyes Drive is part of a much larger story about the rise of motoring in Cape Town
and the associated idea of an All Round the Cape Peninsula Road.
The story falls into four eras: the early intentions 1880s – 1913, early plans and first beginnings
1913 – 1923 (in which the role of George James Boyes was pivotal), full-scale construction 1924
– 1929, and later extensions and planned extensions from 1929 – present.
Era 1: Early intentions 1880s - 1913
The three most important natural assets of the Kalk Bay – Muizenberg area have always been its
coastline, the mountain, and Zandvlei. During the brief 18 years of the Kalk Bay – Muizenberg
Municipality’s (KB-MM) existence (1895 - 1913) each of them was the subject of numerous
development proposals, some of which materialised into actual projects (eg. pavilions, pools,
harbour, and vlei development).
The mountain stimulated a variety of ideas such as walking paths, mountain railway and
mountain hotel, and a high level road linking Muizenberg and Kalk Bay. The first clear statement
about a High Level Road is found in the Wynberg Times of 15 August 1896:
High Level Road from Muizenberg to Kalk Bay
Over a decade ago it was proposed to construct a high-level road from Muizenberg to Kalk Bay
for the general improvement of these popular seaside resorts, and the Government of the day was
prepared to give every assistance, but then there was no local authoritative body to undertake the
work and the project was abandoned. But now that there is a vigorous Municipal Council anxious
to do whatever is feasible for ameliorating the surroundings and for increasing the attractions of
21
