It’s quite possible that some families may have been harvesting
seafood here continuously for a thousand generations.
Developer handover and HOA
While these could be considered constraints, Pinnacle Point
Esatate management and HOA have rather chosen to look upon
When the HOA took control of the estate after handover from them as opportunities. The estate provides transport to the
the developer in 2011, they started working together with best fishing spots for the anglers, and assists and encourages
Heritage Western Cape (HWC) to work out an archaeological them to keep the paths and fishing spots clean and tidy. And
conservation management plan (ACMP). The caves were the caves have been turned into a significant tourist attraction.
declared a provincial heritage site in 2012, and the HOA They are not open for casual visitors (even estate residents),
continues to monitor and protect them under the auspices of but interpretive guided tours are conducted by Point of Human
HWC, and in terms of the ACMP. Origins, which works closely with the HOA.
Constraints, challenges and opportunities It’s not just the caves. Extensive shell middens have been
found on the estate, and form part of an ongoing programme
of excavation and study. But, of course, there may well be
Even notwithstanding the heritage resources, there are a more hidden under a mere 10 centimetres of soil, so the
number of challenges specific to managing a coastal estate. foundation phase of all new structures has to be overseen by
Land ownership extends only to the high-tide mark, with an archaeologist.
the intertidal zone being public, and there has been – since
long before construction began – a public hiking trail along It’s one of the conditions to which prospective buyers have
the coast above the high-water mark. This remains a public to agree, and the estate has put a lot of energy into ensuring
servitude, and also offers access to some very popular fishing that real estate agents are well versed in the details. Also an
spots – for both recreational and semi-subsistence anglers. outcome of heritage status, any new structure, or any change
The latter are the present-day practitioners of possibly one of land use, has to be approved by HWC.
of the oldest continuous human traditions anywhere. Of
course, we will never know for sure, but it’s quite ‘It’s not really a negative,’ says Pinnacle Point Estate CEO Carl
possible that some families may have been van der Linde. ‘It’s just one more hoop to jump through, but
harvesting seafood here continuously it’s worth it.’ The caves at Pinnacle Point are on the UNESCO
World Heritage Site tentative list. ‘It would be great if the
for a thousand generations.
caves are listed,’ he says. ‘The entire Pinnacle Point Estate has
been registered as the buffer zone for the World Heritage Site
Anglers – as long as they have the
application.’
required permit from Marine
and Coastal Management –
A big positive
have right of access. In the
past they would spend a
few days here perhaps, and While there are constraints, and some extra processes that
maybe even camp out in the need to be dealt with, the presence of the caves is undoubtedly
caves – an activity that it now a very positive asset, Van der Linde emphasises. In fact, he says,
strictly prohibited. ‘international buyers are purchasing homes at Pinnacle Point
Estate because of the presence of the caves, and our residents
and owners take great pride in this priceless resource. It’s a
huge selling point.’
www.pinnaclepointestate.co.za
Your mother probably told
you that fish is brain food, and
research has proven her right. The
consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids is
essential for proper development and