Welcome to the website of the
Jewish Community of Bellville
Everyone in South Africa knows a place called Bellville because of the notorious CY (cowboy) motor vehicle number plates leading to the saying 'Come to Bellville and CY'. Also, the town became known as 'behind the Boerewors Curtain'. Bellville is in the northern suburbs some 20 km from Cape Town.
The banner photo is of 'Hardekraaltjie', which from the 17th century was an outspan where people on their way to farms in the Paarl and Stellenbosch areas could rest and refresh their animals. It still exists in Bellville as a caravan park. (The photo is by Mirl.)
The first Jewish family came to Bellville in 1902 and the number of families steadily grew and peaked in the 1960s to 100. Three notable persons were Alec Sacks, who was mayor of Bellville in 1952-53, Sam Perch, who served as mayor of nearby Kraaifontein for two terms, and the actor Percy Sieff, who also hosted the quiz show 'Check Your Mate' on Springbok Radio.
My name is Stan Loon and I'm the '(CY) driver', so if you have any information or corrections or articles you want included, please contact me at loonstan@yahoo.com.
Additional links are available for a history of Bellville and for a map (see also the map on the Synagogue page).
Website of the Bellville Jewish Community
Created and hosted by CHOL – Community History On-Line
To join the CHOL mailing list, email info@chol.website
Compiled by Stanley Loon loonstan@yahoo.com
Edited and formatted by Geraldine Auerbach MBE, London, UK
Uploaded by Bramie Lenhoff, Delaware, USA
August 2024
