Bredasdorp is named after the first mayor of Cape Town, Michiel van Breda, who is also considered the father of the merino sheep industry in the country, having introduced the animals on to his farm, Zoetendals Vallei. Bredasdorp today is the economic hub of the Cape Agulhas region for local farmers and tourists to the area. The Overberg District Council's Head Office is resident here and has been partly responsible for the fairly rapid development of the town. Despite this, Bredasdorp maintains its rural, 'dorp' type atmosphere and, like many of the little towns in this part of the world, offers a real 'getaway' from the madding crowds for city dwellers and for holiday makers.
