In 1652 Jan van Riebeek landed at the Cape of Good Hope. This landing signalled the beginning of the colonisation of the Cape. Van Riebeek's wife Maria was from Flanders as was one in every three of the Huguenots that subsequently landed at the Cape.

Some of these Huguenot immigrants crossed over the Drakenstein mountains and settled in Franschhoek. This led to the establishment of viticulture and subsequently to the establishment of the fruit industry in the Franschhoek Valley.

Thus began the long relationship between the people of Belgium and Franschhoek which continues today. More recently Franschhoek twinned with Dilbeek, a town of 38 000 people close to Brussels.

Franschhoek was established in 1688 and is still a rural agricultural village mainly based on agriculture (wine producing and fruit growing) and tourism. Because of its historical connections, scenic beauty and wine production it is a major tourist area.

Until recently Franschhoek consisted of 2 separate residential areas, the original historic Franschhoek village and Groendal, mainly occupied by generations of coloured farm workers. In recent years Groendal has been incorporated into the Franschhoek municipal area. (As shown on the enclosed plan)

In the Municipal area of Franschhoek in 1997 there were:

    * increasing daily

The above is an estimate as at 1997. No census figures are yet available. This does not include the population in the adjoining farming areas.

It is estimated that 95% of the squatter families earn less than R1 200 (£150) (B.F.9600) per month.

There are 3005 pupils in school, 2137 in four primary schools and 868 in two high schools.