Vanwyksvlei: 'n streekhistoriese skets.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Vanweë sy ligging in die distrik Carnarvon, een van die droogste dele van die sentrale Karoo, speel water van oudsher 'n belangrike rol in die ontstaan en ontwikkeling van Vanwyksvlei. In die naamgewing van hul plase het die eerste trek- en veeboere, wat hulle gedurende die helfte van die vorige eeu in die dorre landstreek gevestig het, reeds blyke gegee van die lewensnoodsaaklikheid van water en die voorsiening daarvan aan mens en dier. Die dorpie het sy ontstaan inderdaad direk te danke aan die oprigting van 'n besproeiingsdam waarmee in 1882 'n begin gemaak is. Na voltooiing van die dam (1884) is die eerste besproeiingsgrond onderkant die wal aan boere beskikbaar gestel; 'n stelsel van kanale is ook aangelê. Namate Vanwyksvlei ontwikkel het, is onderwysgeriewe vir die dorp en omgewing geskep, pos- en telegrafiese dienste is ingestel en amptenare is aangestel om wet en orde te handhaaf. Boerdery is aanvanklik gestrem deur periodieke droogtes en veesiektes, terwyl die verskaffing van water vir huishoudelike gebruik aan die dorpenaars eweneens probleme geskep bet. Maatreëls om hierdie vraagstukke die hoof te bied, is egter mettertyd toegepas en suksesvol deurgevoer. Die bestuur van die dorp is agtereenvolgens aan die Departement van Besproeiing, die Departement van Lande en 'n Nedersettingsraad opgedra. In 1972 is 'n selfstandige dorpsbestuur in die lewe geroep en drie jaar later het Vanwyksvlei munisipale status verkry.

• Summary: Ever since the days of the pioneers water has played an important part in the founding and development of Vanwyksvlei, situated as it is in the Carnarvon district, one of the most arid parts of the central Karroo. The water scarcity is reflected in the names given to farms by White stockfarmers and Trekboers who, during the mid-nineteenth century, settled themselves in this barren region. A case in point is the township of Vanwyksvlei, which indeed came into being as a direct result of the construction of an irrigation scheme (dam) started in 1882. When it was completed in 1884, the first land below its wall was granted to farmers for irrigation purposes; water canals were also dug. As the township developed, facilities and services such as education, communication and the enforcement of law and order followed. At first farming was hampered by periodical drought and cattle diseases, and the supply of water to the villagers for household use also caused problems. However, the steps which were taken to solve these matters, later proved successful. The management of Vanwyksvlei was consecutively entrusted to the Department of Irrigation, the Department of Lands, and a Settlement Board. A village management board was instituted in 1972 and three years later the town was granted municipal status.