A visit to ELANDSBAAI / Elands Bay, South Africa - History of Hardship & Fortune скачать в хорошем качестве

A visit to ELANDSBAAI / Elands Bay, South Africa - History of Hardship & Fortune

Hi everyone! In this video, I visit the town of Elandsbaai (or Elands Bay) on the West Coast of South Africa. Known as the Crayfish Capital of South Africa and a popular surfing location affectionately called "Ebay," it is also a beloved holiday destination. Despite being a prominent fishing and crayfish hub, Elandsbaai has never had a harbour and has implemented some bespoke solutions over the years to compensate for the lack of a harbour. In this vlog, I return to Elandsbaai after many years. Although I grew up in nearby Lambert's Bay, I rarely visited Elandsbaai, making this a great opportunity to explore the town and delve into its rich history. Throughout the vlog, I discuss the town’s past, including three notable periods in its fishing history: the passasie (or passage), the cranes, and the slipway. I also highlight the contributions of various businesses, individuals and families in the area, including those with the surnames Hunter, Engelbrecht, and Van der Westhuizen. The vlog begins with me on the beach, just below the magnificent Bobbejaansberg (or Baboon Mountain), before heading to the town entrance. There, I engage with locals and gather geographic details, such as distances to other nearby towns. I mention that Elandsbaai is surrounded by numerous potato farms and visit an old house located next to Verlorenvlei. I also note the tunnel in Bobbejaansberg, through which the Sishen-Saldanha railway line passes. Back at the beach, I talk about the regular phenomenon of crayfish washing up onshore, often due to red tide. I also recount a particularly tragic event in 2022, when approximately 500 tonnes of crayfish ended up on the beach. In the town itself, I share information about the population, the surfing scene, and the local businesses, including the hotel. I meet a group of surfers who show me their wetsuits and surfboards. I then dive into the history of Elandsbaai in the 1930s, when many residents had to leave the area due to unemployment, as well as the crayfish boom of the 1950s and 1960s. This boom transformed the local economy, leading to the establishment of more businesses, the expansion of the hotel, and the need for migrant workers from the Eastern Cape. In this vlog, I also interact with people working in the fishing industry, who provide fascinating insights into life in Elandsbaai. Along the way, I meet individuals from nearby Redelinghuys, including one who performs a rap! Additionally, I spend time exploring residential areas to gain a deeper understanding of daily life in Elandsbaai, and I visit various shops and establishments. In the final segment of the vlog, I explore the remains of an old school and other abandoned facilities, reflecting on the innovative solutions the town has developed to thrive despite the absence of a harbour. This video was not sponsored, and all views expressed are entirely my own. I hope you enjoy this vlog of Elandsbaai! If you haven’t already, please hit the LIKE and SUBSCRIBE buttons, and leave a COMMENT in the comments section. Happy exploring, and wishing you a wonderful 2025! Willie