West Coast Evolution

Speaker – Les Geater –
Topic: WEST COAST EVOLUTION

How much can we as humans realistically do to conserve the environment? Is the environment itself a prime source of disruption – and so much more!

A former member of the RC Langebaan, Les grew up in Camps Bay where Scouting was a big part of his life. He attended UCT accountancy & qualified as a Chartered Accountant then later joined the Old Mutual Properties to focus on management systems. Les then moved to Old Mutual Employee Benefits, admistering corporate retirement schemes for about 800 000 employees. He retired happily in 2000 to set off the next day on a yacht race to St Helena island and since then focussed on adventure travel.

Les presented a well-researched presentation of some 35 slides that provided a broad a comprehensive overview of the West Coast and its evolution over the years impacting both the environment and the communities’ ability to generate income. The lagoon at the southern end of the Bay was an estuary, draining the karoo marshes, sea level was much higher and Saldanha was an Island. Kraalbaai now famous for the “eve footprint” – evidence of civilisation some 117 000 years ago, as well as remains of the mammoth Megaladon Shark, 30 times larger than a great white – teeth were found 20 km inland at the Fossil Park. Large Oyster Beds were mined off the floor of the lagoon – naval battle between the Dutch, French and English were fought in the Bay. Shores were inhabited by Khoi/San stock farmers.

First memories Circa 1960: Whaling was in full swing at Donkegat (see pic above), Crayfish processing at Saldanha was big business, Pilchard processing for fertiliser was bigger, beach farming for seaweed for Gelatine was active and Oyster shell dredging for lime processing.
Some of the factors that impacted the area: Huge iron ore exporting infrastructure, harbour, rail, ore handling, quarry, roads – painted surrounding towns red! A huge steelmill was built; farmers’ boreholes dried up and farming failed, Bulk oil terminal was built-flaring gas.

Les concluded by highlighting the incredible work done by the RC of Langebaan since its Charter in May 2022 and the need for RC Waterfront to help with the equipping of the new school hall for Langebaan Primary School.

Les’s presentation provided a rich historical overview of the West Coast, highlighting the impact of human activity on its environment and economy. The Saldanha Bay IDZ is driving industrial growth in the oil, gas, and maritime sectors, and the Atlantis SEZ’s focus on green technologies, renewable energy and manufacturing. Both zones represent transformative efforts to balance industrial expansion with environmental stewardship.

The Rotary Club of Waterfront’s potential collaboration to support the equipping of the new school hall and newly established Early Act Club at Langebaan Primary School exemplifies the critical role of community-driven initiatives in ensuring that development benefits the local population.

(A pdf of the full slide presentation is available on request, from June Webber.)