Jul
2014
Cradock in the Eastern Cape was first inhabited by Khoi herders dating back to ancient times. Then the Xhosa steel working tribe took up residence in Cradock. That was in the first millennium CE.
In 1812 the region became a strategic war frontier and Andries Stockenstrom took up the magisterial seat here for the region.
The town of Cradock was founded on the 27th August 1818 after the Dutch Reformed Church was built.
Cradock was named after governor of the Cape Colony Sir John Cradock.
The Cape Colony received a decree of independence from the governor in 1872 with a declaration of “Responsible Government”. The elected government of John Molteno then began the construction of a railway line from Cradock to Port Elizabeth which was inaugurated on the 21st November 1880. This was a huge contributing factor in the growth of towns located on the railway route.
With ostrich farming a primary source of income for many farmers in the region, there was a huge demand in 1900's for ostrich feathers which lead to a boom in the economy of the region and specifically in the ostrich farming industry.
The economy of Cradock today is driven by farming with wool being its biggest export along with beef, dairy, Lucerne and a mohair industry. Fruit is also a source of income derived from farming in the region.
Because of the many hot sulphur springs in the area, a health and wellness industry caters for tourist and is reputed to be the best in the province along with game reserves and historic sites and buildings which have been restored to former glory.
Investing in Cradock's popular tourist suburbs will be a great reward. Tourism to this region is an all year affair thus income from buy-to-let holiday properties will be a sound investment.
Take a tour of the MyRoof website and choose your holiday home.
