Matjiesrivier Explained

Matjiesrivier
Pushpin Map:South Africa Western Cape#South Africa
Coordinates:-33.399°N 22.035°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:South Africa
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Western Cape
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Garden Route
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name3:Oudtshoorn
Subdivision Type4:Main Place
Established Title:Established
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics1 Title1:Black African
Demographics1 Title2:Coloured
Demographics1 Title3:Indian/Asian
Demographics1 Title4:White
Demographics1 Title5:Other
Timezone1:SAST
Utc Offset1:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code (street)
Postal2 Code Type:PO box
Postal2 Code:6634
Area Code Type:Area code

Matjiesrivier is a town at the southern foot of the Waboomsberg, some 37 km south of Prince Albert, off the road to Oudtshoorn. Afrikaans for 'mat river', the reference is to a type of sedge (Cyperus textilis) growing there, used by Khoekhoen in making mats with which they made their huts. Matjiesgoed is the common name for this sedge, literally 'mat stuff.