Clanwilliam is famous for its rooibos tea and oranges.
Situated at the foot of the Cedarberg Range where the Dissels River flows into the broad Olifants River. Clanwilliam formerly Jan Disselvlei. Named after Jan Dissels, a botanist who lived 'at the Renosterbosch- which is a Lifestyle Estate, along the Piketberg Mountains. This District celebrated its 150th Anniversary in September 1964. The District originally formed part of the District of Stellenbosch. On 1 Feb. 1808 the Earl of Caledon, Governor of the Cape Colony from 1807-11; annexed that part of the District lying North of the Berg River to the new District of Tulbagh, at the same time declaring it a 'Sub-Drostdy'. (This is a secondary magisterial district, office, or residence established under a main Drostdy (district managed by a landdrost or magistrate). These were used during the 18th and 19th centuries to managed remote areas.) Daniel Johannes van Ryneveld was proclaimed as the assistant Magistrate, on 21 Jan. 1814 Caledon's successor was Sir John Cradock (1811-14). He renamed the sub-magistracy after his father-in-law, the Earl of Clanwilliam. In 1820, efforts were made to settle four groups of Irish settlers, along the Jan Dissels River, This was met with little success. In 1822, the magistracy of Tulbagh was moved to Worcester, on 1 Jan. 1837. Clanwilliam was then separated from Worcester and proclaimed a District. In 1901, the Village of Clanwilliam became a Municipality! The first mayor was Charles Fryer, an Irish descendant of the 1820 Settlers. Water is obtained from the Jan Dissels River and electricity supplied by a hydro-electric plant below the Clanwilliam Dam in the Olifants River Valley. This was completed in 1935.
This picturesque Town has a Saw Mill and a 'Veldskoen' Factory being built. It is the headquarters of the Rooibos Tea Control Board. A memorial Library in honour of Dr. C. Louis Leipoldt-(who was a South African doctor, journalist, and a leading poet of the Second Afrikaans Language Movement). Spent his childhood at Clanwilliam and his grave site is found in Clanwilliam. He was buried in a Cave in the Pakhuis Pass. During October, of each year a popular regatta is organised on the Clanwilliam Dam, which flows in the Olifants River.
On account of high precipitation in the Mountains, the District is well watered by many perennial Streams. The Olifants River is dammed for irrigation purposes at Clanwilliam and Bulshoek.