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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Water for Saldanha: war as an agent of change
Authors:Visser, Deon
Jacobs, André
Smit, Hennie
Year:2008
Periodical:Historia: amptelike orgaan
Volume:53
Issue:1
Pages:130-161
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:ports
local history
water supply
World War II
Abstract:Saldanha Bay (c. 90 km north of Cape Town, South Africa) is one of the best natural harbours in the world and was known as such by the French even before the Dutch set foot at the Cape in 1652. However, when the British first occupied the Cape almost one and a half centuries after the Dutch arrival, no development had yet taken place at Saldanha Bay. The British saw great potential in Saldanha Bay as a naval base, but never exploited it. The principal reason for this lack of development was the absence of fresh water. Even Saldanha Bay's early Khoikhoi inhabitants had to seek greener pastures during the dry season. The prospect of diverting water from the nearby Berg River to Saldanha Bay had often been contemplated even from the time of the Dutch settlement, but never came to fruition until the mid-20th century. The fact that war is a powerful agent of rapid and profound change was clearly illustrated when Saldanha Bay acquired access to a sustainable supply of fresh water during World War II. This article traces Saldanha Bay's 'waterless' history to 1943 and explores the Bay's acquisition of strategic importance during World War II, resulting in the South African Engineer Corps being tasked to tap into the Berg River to quench Saldanha's thirst. The article concludes with a brief overview of the immediate and longer-term impact this wartime lifeline had on Saldanha Bay and its inhabitants. Ref., sum. in English and Afrikaans. [Journal abstract]
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