The Sonderend River, also known as the Riviersonderend (Afrikaans for River without an end), is a main tributary of the Breede River, located in Western Cape Province, South Africa. The village of Riviersonderend is believed to have taken its name from the river.
| Sonderend River | |
|---|---|
 The River in flood | |
  | |
| Etymology | Afrikaans/Dutch for "River without an end" |
| Location | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Western Cape |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Near Villiersdorp |
| Mouth | Breede River |
| • location | Between Stormsvlei and Swellendam |
| • coordinates | 34°4′14″S 20°17′7″E / 34.07056°S 20.28528°E / -34.07056; 20.28528 |
| • elevation | 84 m (276 ft) |
| Length | 115 km (71 mi) |
Naming
In 1673, Willem ten Rhyne referred to the river as "sine fine flumen" (Latin for "endless river"). In 1707, Jan Hatogh, a Dutch East India Company horticulturist, referred to the river as the "Kantdydnn", likely derived from the Hessequa "Kamma-kan Kamma", roughly "water, endless water" or "endless river". The Hessequa were a local tribe of Khoi-khoi herders.
Dams in the River
See also
References
- "Welcome to Riviersonderend !!!". riviersonderend.co.za. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- "Intro (English) to the Resolutions of Cape of Good Hope / Place names of Khoi origin". Archived from the original on March 21, 2005.