| Paternoster | |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa Western Cape#South Africa |
| Coordinates: | -32.8167°N 70°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Western Cape |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | West Coast |
| Subdivision Type3: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name3: | Saldanha Bay |
| Subdivision Type4: | Main Place |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Leader Title: | Councillor |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 2.49 |
| Population Total: | 1971 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Racial makeup (2011) |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Black African |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 16.0% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Coloured |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 71.5% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Indian/Asian |
| Demographics1 Info3: | 0.3% |
| Demographics1 Title4: | White |
| Demographics1 Info4: | 11.6% |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics1 Info5: | 0.6% |
| Demographics Type2: | First languages (2011) |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Afrikaans |
| Demographics2 Info1: | 82.6% |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Xhosa |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 9.1% |
| Demographics2 Title3: | English |
| Demographics2 Info3: | 5.7% |
| Demographics2 Title4: | Sign language |
| Demographics2 Info4: | 1.0% |
| Demographics2 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics2 Info5: | 1.5% |
| Timezone1: | SAST |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code (street) |
| Postal Code: | 7381 |
| Postal2 Code Type: | PO box |
| Postal2 Code: | — |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 022 |
Paternoster (pronounced) is one of the oldest fishing villages on the West Coast of South Africa. It is situated 15 km north-west of Vredenburg[2] and 145 km north of Cape Town, at Cape Columbine between Saldanha Bay and St Helena Bay. The town covers an area of 194.8 hectare and has approximately 1883 inhabitants.
The origin of the name remains unknown. Many people believe that the name, which means ‘Our Father’ in Latin, refers to prayers said by Catholic Portuguese seamen when they became shipwrecked.[3] It appears as St. Martins Paternoster on an old map of Pieter Mortier so the name may be derived from Paternoster Row in the City of London which is adjacent to St. Martins Court.[4] Other people believe it refers to the beads that the Khoi tribe wore that were called Paternosters.[5]
Paternoster is a tourist destination and is known for lobster and the white-washed fishermen's cottages. The coastline consists of jagged cliffs, white boulders and beaches stretch along the West Coast of South Africa. The town boast many hotels and guest houses. They cater for couples to families, from luxury to self catering accommodation. Paternoster has many top restaurants serving the best cuisine and also has one of the world's best restaurants called Wolfgat.[6]
The area is a pillar in the South African commercial fishing industry. The town itself has a lobster factory and a newly erected Kabeljou farm, whilst the local people catch and sell herring, or draw mussels from the rocks. In the greater area are several more commercial activities, including deep sea fishing, snoek catching, abalone farming, oyster farming, canning of pilchards and mussel farming. The oyster farm in the lagoon of the neighbouring town of Langebaan is currently the largest in South Africa.The West Coast rock lobster Jasus lalandii was enjoyed by the first Portuguese navigators.[7] By 1902 a full-blown lobster industry was in operation, canning and exporting lobster to France in particular. The West Coast lobster industry generates millions each year and employs large numbers of the local people.
In the 1930s the first Redro factory was erected in Paternoster.[8] Redro fish paste was developed by the Stephan family in an effort to compete with the already popular Peck's Anchovette of Britain. It flew off the shelves when first released and enjoyed nearly three decades of uncompromising sole monopoly in the savoury spread market and is now owned by Pioneer Food Group.[9]
The Cape Bokkoms has been well known in this region and has been a cheap and practical source of protein for centuries. The unique method of preparing and drying fish has grown with leaps and bounds, often for export, in response to the growing demand for the product from South Africa.[10]
The climate is mostly known for its infrequent rainfall, dry countryside and high offshore winds. The area receives most of its rainfall during winter and has a Mediterranean climate. The climate supports the growth of the wild flowers that the West Coast is known for.[11]