Beaufort West   Beaufort West is the oldest town in the Central Karoo. One can find rock engravings, evidence that hunter gatherers once lived here. Later, with the arrival of the cattle farmers, there was conflict over grazing land and water for the cattle, between the farmers and the Xhosa.   The presence of the farmers resulted in the wild animals/game moving further away. Thus the farmers’ cattle became the target for hungry predators and the local Xam (Bushmen), who had depended on the wildlife for food.   This harsh and dry land also became an outpost for smugglers, outlaws and other criminals. Liquor and arms smuggling were frequent. Missionaries were not welcome in this area. It was this lack of law and order and religion which led to Lord Charles Somerset requesting the establishment of a town on the farm called Hooyvlakte. He wanted the town to be named after his father, the fifth Duke of Beaufort. Professor Chris Barnard, who performed the world's first heart transplant, was born in Beaufort West.   Today Beaufort West, which was once a swamp, is now a semi-desert. The farm Hooyvlakte, belonged to the Huguenot family named De Klerk, who first came to the area in 1760. Plans for a town were welcomed by the local farmers. This would mean that they would have a church and a magistrate and would not have to travel long distances as they had in the past for the services of a magistrate.   Not everyone was happy with these plans: Jacob de Klerk decided to move northwards across the Vaal River. Klerksdorp was eventually established. Hooyvlakte however, had water and a few buildings. Irrigation furrows were laid for directing water to vegetable and fruit gardens.   In February1837, Beaufort West became the first municipality in South Africa, and had the first town hall. Professor Chris Barnard’s father, the Reverend Adam Barnard, preached in the church which was next to the town hall. Their family house was adjacent to the town hall. Today, these 3 buildings are all national monuments. The stone wall around the town cemetery has also been declared a national monument. A landmark on the N1, is the jail. There were gallows nearby here.   Beaufort West area is popular for walking or hiking in the mountains, 4 x 4 routes and hunting. There are games farms in the area and a visit to the Karoo National Park, which is only 5km south of the town, is a worthwhile visit. The endangered black rhino and riverine rabbit are among some of the attractions. The park has more tortoises than any other conservation area in the world.     Places of interest:   Beaufort West - Matjiesfontein - Oudtshoorn - Swartberg Pass - Calitzdorp - Ladismith - Laingsburg - Prince Albert