Touws River Touwsrivier | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | South Africa |
Province | Western Cape |
City | Touws River (town) |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | Matroosberg |
• location | Hex River Mountains |
• coordinates | 33°21′S19°38′E / 33.350°S 19.633°E |
• elevation | 1,300 m (4,300 ft) |
Mouth | Groot River |
• coordinates | 33°44′12″S21°10′55″E / 33.73667°S 21.18194°E |
• elevation | 239 m (784 ft) |
The Touws River (Afrikaans : Touwsrivier) is a river in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is a tributary of the Groot River, part of the Gourits River basin. A notable resident of the town is Margaret Maritz (born 27 September 1906) who, as of 2022, aged 116, was regarded as one of the oldest people in South Africa. [1] [2] [3]
The name "Touws" originates from a Khoi word for ash, which also referred to the local "Ash-bushes" ( Salsola aphylla ). It is uncertain whether the name originally referred to the bushes, or to the colour of the river (historically, the Touws river was occasionally known as the "Ash river").
It also gave its name to the town of Touws River, which lies on the upper reaches of this river. [4]
It sources are in the Matroosberg, Hex River Mountains, near the town of De Doorns. In its upper course it is known as the Smalblaar and the Donkies.
Flowing in a southeastern direction, it flows past Touws River town, meeting the right bank of the Groot River after briefly turning southwards. [5] Its tributaries include the Brand, Kalee, Brak, Slang and the Kruis; all are minor rivers.
The Touws is part of the Gouritz Water Management Area and falls within the Drainage system J.
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Gouritz WMA, or Gouritz Water Management Area , in South Africa includes the following major rivers: the Gouritz River, Olifants River, Kamanassie River, Gamka River, Buffels River, Touws River, Goukou River and Duiwenhoks River, and covers the following Dams:
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The Groot River is a river in the southern area of the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is a right hand tributary of the Gourits River.
Gasteria carinata, commonly called Bredasdorp gasteria or keeled gasteria, is a small and variable succulent plant native to the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
The Hex River is a tributary of the Breede River located in the Western Cape of South Africa. The most important settlements along the river are the small towns of De Doorns and Touws River.
Margaret Maritz is a South African supercentenarian.