Tjaart van der Walt

In 1798, Tjaart van der Walt was appointed commander of Swellendam, when the Gamtoos River marked its eastern boundary. Known for leading successful expeditions to recover stolen livestock, he was once rewarded by Governor Dundas with a large-calibre rifle suitable for hunting elephants.
In 1802, while visiting the Cambria area, he was ambushed and killed by a group of thieves. His final resting place was here in Cambria.

The Name “Cambria”

Derived from “Cumbria” or “Cymru” (Wales), the name is believed to have been inspired by a Welsh settler who was reminded of his homeland. There are also rumours that Welsh missionaries lived in the area in the early 1800s.

The Streso Family & Farming History

The original farms Onverwags and Goede Hoop were officially granted to Nicolaas Lochenburg in 1818, though he had lived here for years before.
In 1952, the farm Onverwags was purchased by the Streso family, who moved here permanently in 1975 from their beloved Sandrivier farm. Their old water system design, which brought water down from the kloofs using natural pressure, still exists today.

Sadly, much of the historic Sandrivier area is no longer accessible due to poor road maintenance, though it was once reachable with an ordinary car.