While the Sea Point Promenade ranks as one of the best public spaces in Cape Town, my personal preference is for its slightly scruffy and less well known neighbour – the Mouille Point promenade and beachfront.
I have often wondered how Mouille Point got its name, so I started doing some reading. Some histories refer to unsuccessful attempts by the Dutch from 1743 to construct a moeilje (archaic Dutch for mole or breakwater) to provide shelter for ships in Table Bay. Winter storms kept destroying the construction and the project was abandoned after several years.
Aerial view of Mouille Point
Three decades later, in 1781, French soldiers constructed a battery near the abandoned mole as part of their efforts to help organise the Dutch defences, which they called Mouille (or mole) Battery, apparently giving Mouille Point its name.
The Dutch etymology seems to make sense; I’m not sure of the French connection. I don’t have even schoolboy French, but I can’t find a linguistic connection between the French mouille, meaning to be all wet (as in an obscure 1979 French movie La Grande Mouille, or, The Big Orgy) and the word mole. Dr Peter Raper however provides the explanation that it is derived from the French mouiller, ‘to cast anchor’ (Dictionary of Southern African Place Names, p.227).
Spring tides often cause waves to crash over the Mouille Point promenade
A radical alternative explanation to all of the above is provided by Cape Town historian Dr. Cyril Hromnik, who argues that the word has no European origins at all, but is derived from Kai Haa Mullai, or ‘Great Flat Pastoral Land’, a term used by the indigenous Quena (or Khoikhoi) to describe their traditional pastoral and camping ground in the Green Point area (‘Will 2010 rob the Quena again?’ Cape Argus, January 21, 2007).
Mouille Point promenade with Robben Island in the background
Do word origins matter? Of course they do. Cities are made up of people, who express their identities through culture, of which language is an important part. Knowing the origins of names of places in a city is an important part of defining a city’s identity.
Cape Town, with its colonial and apartheid origins, is a divided city still struggling to come to terms with its identity. Place names, especially when contested, can perpetuate divisions. They can of course also be used towards more inclusive memorialisation to help bring about reconciliation and healing.
Are there any other explanations of the origins of Mouille Point? Please let me know.
More importantly, whatever the origins of the name, how do we ensure in future that superb public spaces like Mouille Point, and the adjacent Green Point Urban Park, are accessible to and used by all the people of Cape Town?
Green Point lighthouse (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Mouille Point lighthouse) with the new Green Point Urban Park in the background
The well-used children's play area near the Green Point lighthouse
Blisters for Bread Walk
Blisters for Bread Walk
The upgrades to this area were delayed to “post World Cup” so hopefully we’ll see some work taking place soon. I recall a competition for University Students to reimagine this space.
Any news on your side?
I don’t think the outcomes of the student redesign competition has been put to any practical application. I know that the ward councillor is keen for two lanes of Beach Road to be closed to traffic (either on a temporary or permanent basis) to slow cars down and create a better environment for pedestrians and cyclists between the Green Point urban Park and the seafront area.
what a space….. what a beautiful space. but i do hope the stench from the sewage plant gets sorted….. it’s so seriously, well …… uuuurrrgh.
Mullai together with names like Gamka, Dwyka, Kango, Tsitsikamma, Matzikamma, Camissa, Outeniqua, Gouritz etc represent the heritage of a people that is screaming for recogniton !!!!!!!!!!!
Great article, Andrew. Thanks for sharing.
The pre-history of the Cape and Southern Africa is a story waiting to be told. One senses that a fascinating narrative is just waiting to be revealed. Cape Town historian Dr. Cyril Hromnik, mentioned above, has done some brilliant work in this field.