Tarkastad

Afrikaans name: Tarkastad

Tarkastad

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Eastern Cape

Tarkastad is a small village that was established in 1864 after first being established as a church centre in 1862. The town is located on the banks of the Tarka River but there is some uncertainty as to the origin of the name of Tarakastad. Two possibilities are from the Celtic word "Tarka" which means "otter" or the Khoi-Khoi word "Traka" which means "women". The only thing is the word "stad" which is Afrikaans for city.

The village has traces of British influence with its Victorian style lamp posts.

Tourist activities in the area include a hiking trail in the Winterberg Mountains, some rock engravings on a nearby rock and trout fishing.

Above - War memorial

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Dutch Reformed Church (1880)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Presbyterian Church (1881)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Beautiful scenery in the vicinity of Tarkastad

Photo © Johan van Zyl

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References and further reading

Conolly's Guide to Southern Africa - Author: Denis Conolly - Year Published: 1982 - Page: 165

Country Life - Issue 244 - Author: - Year Published: 2016 - Page: 26

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 282

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 161

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 223

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 83