Lwandle, Cape Helderberg
The informal settlement of Lwandle lies close to both Somerset West and Gordons Bay and people who live here are employed in the Helderberg Basin, largely within the building industry, although as many as 60% are still unemployed.
Many of those who live here originally came here under the migrant labour system during the late 1950s from the Eastern Cape province and most residents still live in shacks whilst the government puts approved housing projects into place.
The Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum has placed the settlement on many visitors' maps. It is the first of its kind in South Africa to tell the story of hostel life and the migrant labour system - its trials and triumphs. It is housed in what used to be the community hall and a number of travel operators now run tours through the township to take in the museum on their route.
Visits here will include a tour by a local community guide so that there is personal interaction with members of the community, and might include a stop at a local restaurant or a food garden, such as that started by the Nceduluntu Sanctuary Trust for orphaned and vulnerable children, which, together with Mama Lumka, cares for a total of 60 children in 10 homes.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

Starlight Premier @ 185 On Beach
Starlight Premier is a self catering, air conditioned holiday apartment. Watch the waves and enjoy the romantic sound and fragrance of the sea as...

Guesthouse Summerlight
Guesthouse Summerlight offers three separate apartments with fully equipped kitchens for self catering, bathroom en-suite and off street parking....

Villa Vista
This is a holiday destination which is family friendly and comprises of two tastefully furnished self catering / B&B apartments with beautiful se...

Ocean View Apartment 505
Situated in Strand, Ocean View Apartment 505 offers self catering accommodation on Beach Road in Strand. From here it's easy to explore the Stel...

Dai Heka Guest House
Dai Heka Guest House offers accommodation in Strand, just 45km away from Cape Town and 25km from Cape Town International Airport. The splendour o...

Africa Lodge
Africa Lodge offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Somerset West in the heart of the Cape Winelands at the foot of Helderberg Mountain. The b...

Vyfster 104
Vyfster 104 is located within the Paardevlei Estate which is a gated, semi-secure estate that is very peaceful and quiet at night. The Somerset W...

La Felicita Cottage
La Felicita Cottage is a charming apartment at La Felicita in the town of Somerset West – in the middle of wine and golf country, and close to co...

Hibernian Towers 503
The thoughtfully designed bedrooms ensure a restful night’s sleep. The main bedroom features a queen-size bed, patio access, and an en-suite bath...
Things to do in the area

Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum
The Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum is 40 kilometres (30 miles) outside Cape Town. It is a memorial to the system of migrant labour, single sex hos...

Lwandle Township Walking Tour
Join our township walk. Starting from the Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum, the guided walk includes meeting the residents, visiting the Hector Pete...

Somerset Mall
Somerset Mall offers 204 stores and everything it takes to give families from Somerset West through to Mossel Bay a safe, fun-filled entertainmen...
Noteworthy attractions

Helderberg Wine Route
The 25 members of the Helderberg route follow distinctly different methods of growing grapes, from a 300-year old historical cellar to state-of-t...

Cape Helderberg Beaches
Where? The eastern coast of False Bay, ± 45 minutes from Cape Town. Includes Gordons Bay, Strand, Bikini beach, Kogel Bay. Go there for family ou...

Erinvale Golf Club
Having proudly hosted the World Cup of Golf in 1996 and twice the SAA open of Golf, Erinvale falls into the premium category of course. Designed ...

Somerset West Golf Club
Somerset West Golf Club is the oldest golf club in the area. It was officially founded in 1908. Until about 1985 the course was divided into 11 a...

Strand Golf Club
This golf course is situated close to the sandy beaches of the False Bay in a peaceful area surrounded by sea and mountains. Ducks and swans glid...

Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
The 42,000 ha Reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch mountains in the west, eas...

Somerset Mall
Somerset Mall offers 204 stores and everything it takes to give families from Somerset West through to Mossel Bay a safe, fun-filled entertainmen...

Helderberg Wine Estates
The Helderberg Region is part of the wine-producing hub of the Cape Winelands in the Western Cape. It comprises the Strand, Somerset West and Gor...

Helderberg Nature Reserve
Set on the southern slopes of the Helderberg mountains, this 402 hectare reserve is a beautiful escape with breathtaking views, sef guided walks,...
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