Page 28 - KBHA BULLETIN 5

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Avenue, and then run on past Kirstenbosch to Constantia Nek, and thence to Hout Bay.

Construction was also initiated elsewhere in 1913: Miller’s Point – Smitswinkel Bay –
Klaasjagersberg, the branch road from Smitswinkel Bay – Cape Point, and Red Hill road. In 1915

the Hout Bay – Noordhoek link via Chapman’s Peak was initiated, and was completed in 1922.
(Fig. 3.1.) When the Witzand – Slangkop section was completed in 1923 the ARCPR was

complete and scenic motoring right around the Peninsula became a reality. (Fig. 3.2.) In other
words, within the space of a decade, the grand idea had been fulfilled. Other high level scenic

routes were to come later: Tafelberg Road and Signal Hill Road in 1928, and High Level Road

from Muizenberg to Kalk Bay in 1923 – 29.

Whose idea was this All Round the Cape Peninsula Road? In 1932, on the death of Sir Frederic
de Waal, Administrator of the Cape (Fig. 3.3), the Royal Automobile Club of South Africa wrote

a tribute under the title of “The Roadmaker” in which he was given the credit. (de Waal Drive is
named after him). However, George James Boyes also laid some claim to the idea.

George James Boyes (15 / 1 / 1863 – 24 / 1 / 1924)

George James Boyes was born at the Castle Cape Town, educated at Bishops, and then entered
the Civil Service completing a series of law examinations between 1885 and 1897. He served as

Resident Magistrate in many parts of the Cape Colony / Province: Piketberg, Mafeking,
Richmond, Victoria West, Simon’s Town (1904–16), Queenstown (1916–19), and finally Chief

Magistrate of Cape Town (1919–23). (Fig. 3.4.)

For this story two periods in his career are of significance. The first was his 12 years, from 1904

– 16, as Resident Magistrate of the Simon’s Town Magisterial District with headquarters in
Simon’s Town; and the second was his brief tenure as a City Councillor after his retirement in

1923.

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