|
Kakamas Accommodation: Nearby towns with accommodation:
Kurumam Accommodation | Upington Accommodation | Springbok Accommodation
Kimberley Accommodation | Augrabies Falls Accommodation | Grootdrink Accommodation
Kakamas is a town founded in 1898 and located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, on the banks of the Orange River.
Originated as at a place where the Gariep River could be relatively easily crossed. The spot was first known as Bassonsdrif. In 1898 a proper settlement was established and under the auspices of the Dutch Reformed Church the area was developed as an agricultural spot. It became a municipality in 1954.
The small town of Kakamas was built on the sheer hard work and determination of a couple of impoverished stock farmers at the end of the 19th century.
The name Kakamas was originally given to a drift that was known as Takemas or T’Kakamas since 1779.
The name means “place of the raging cow” – probably referring to an incident when a raging cow stormed the Korana while they were herding their cattle through the drift.
To some the town's name originates from the Khoi word "gagamas" (brown), referring to the red clay of the area with which women daub their faces. To most, though, Kakamas is a Korana word meaning "poor pasture".
Today, the name reflects poorly on a fertile valley in the Lower Orange River, graced with vineyards, cotton and lucern fields.
| 
