Dana Bay History

In 1821, the farm 'Oude Duinigt', which included the present Dana Bay, was allocated to Hendrik Petrus Pienaar for grazing. In 1972 'Sentraalwes Personeel Ondernemings' bought the farm Droogfontein to develop the area as a beach and retirement village for farmers.

Two reasons are given for the selection "DANABAAI / DANA BAY" as the name of the urban area:

1. Named after Daan Serfontein, Chairman of Sentraalwes Kooperasie.

2. "Voorbaai" (before Mossel Bay), then Mossel Bay and then possibly "Daar-na-Baai" (after Mossel Bay).

Conservation has always been a very high priority. Street names have botanical significance with indigenous Fynbos prefixes, eg. "P" ... Proteas; "A"... Aloes and "E"... Ericas.

Roads were scraped perpendicular to natural water gradient flow of the ravines, thus minimizing erosion. Green belt zones and interlinking corridors facilitate the migration of animals and the dispersion of Fynbos seed.

In 1992 a group of enthusiastic nature lovers heard about the Natal Conservancies. They applied for conservation status for Dana Bay and this was granted on 27 May 1998. (We were the first Urban Conservancy in the Western Cape).

Cape Nature serves as a facilitator but the Dana Bay community is in charge of the Conservancy. The purpose of the Dana Bay Conservancy, as declared in our Constitution, is to promote the conservation of endemic plants and animals, to provide a clean and healthy environment, to liaise with relevant authorities and plan fundraising events to promote awareness of this beautiful urban conservancy.

Conservation has ALWAYS been a priority in Dana Bay. We request that all individuals, residents and visitors alike, be aware of this. Do not destroy or harm anything related to our natural environment. Bear in mind that our wild animals are protected in our Conservancy, so please take care to not maim or kill them when driving.

Animals have right of way at ALL times!

All Dana Bay residents (home owners and those renting properties) are invited to join the Conservancy and help protect and preserve our natural and beautiful area!

Author Izak