History of Die Oog

Die Oog is a natural spring or "eye" around which a dam was built 250 years ago to supply the Bergvliet Farm with water.

In 1685 Simon van der Stel was granted all the land from the almond hedge on the top of Wynberg Hill to Muizenberg on which he established the farm of Groot Constantia. After he died in 1716 the land was subdivided, and one third became Bergvliet Farm. The first homestead and the dam were built around 1726.

In 1883 a surveyor A Ackerman described the "ancient dam" as being very strong and substantial with a wall 15 ft high and 200 ft long and an island built of ironstone.

In 1904 Dr Frederick Purcell, Curator of the South African Museum and his suffragette wife Anna moved into Bergvliet Farm. He collected over 1600 species of indigenous flora which are now in the Bolus Herbarium.

In 1982 Bergvliet Farm was subdivided for housing development and the dam and the surrounding area was designated as a Bird Sanctuary and named Die Oog by the City of Cape Town. The land was overgrown and cleared by the Bergvliet and Meadowridge Ratepayers Association who formed "Die Oog Project" to care for Die Oog in collaboration with the City of Cape Town.

In 1989 Brian B. Gripper, retiring Chairman of the Bergvliet Meadowridge Ratepayers Association, was concerned with the overgrown state of Die Oog.

In 1992 Brian Gripper formed the "Die Oog Project Committee" under the auspices of the Ratepayers Association and started the renovation of the area.

In 1995 The architect Alwyn Lubbe, an ex Parks Board officer joined the project.

In 2002 Brian Gripper donated a self-closing dog proof gate.

In 2003 Professor Dennis Davey was elected chairman and we changed the name from the "Die Oog Project" to the "Friends of Die Oog" and drew up a new constitution.

In 2005 Funding was donated by WWF.SA for upgrading and fish removal. The Lions Club donated a bench and table. Councillor Syre provided R30 000 for pathways.

In 2006 Brian Gripper built and installed a new entrance sign and notice board.

In 2007 Alwyn Lubbe designed the wooden viewing platform which is now called "Lubbe Lookout".

In 2009 Alwyn Lubbe resigned and relocated to Stilbaai in the Southern Cape.

In 2009 Brian Gripper resigned and both he and Alwyn Lubbe are now life members. The electric gate became faulty and Brian Gripper arranged a new cable supply. Patrick Williams donated a 12v supply to operate the gate magnet.

In 2010 Professor Dennis Davey resigned as chairman and Malcolm Pearce became the third chairman.