TOKAI - CAPE TOWN

Originally Tokai was a farm graced with a superb Cape-Dutch farmhouse. The land has since been sub-divided and developed for residential housing.  The homestead remains, however, complete with tale of haunting by the ghosts of a horse and rider. The son of a former owner is said to have ridden his horse up the steep steps into the manor and around the guests seated at dinner, for a wager. On the way down the horse stumbled and the youth was killed. His ghost is said to ride again on certain nights.

The name of the estate originated from the Tokai hills of Hungary. The Tokai Forest, which extends up the slopes of the Constantiaberg range, was established in 1883 as the pioneer re-forestation plantation in South Africa.

A large experimental nursery was set up. During the winter rainy season, permits may be obtained from Forestry Department to visit the area.

In the cliffs of Constantiaberg, overlooking the forest, the entrance to a cave known as Elephant's Eye can be seen.  (You can see this in the mountains in the picture above of the Manor House) Legend claims it to have been the retreat of a Hottentots princess, and its former name was Prinseskasteel ('castle of the princess').

Tokai Trivia

Racing Track

The Pollsmoor Prison site used to be a Motor Racing Track from 1936 to 1939.  Three International Grand Prix Races were held here!

Tokai’s Ghosts!

A good-looking young man and his horse are reputedly still hovering around the Manor House, lost souls resulting from a tragic wager on a New Year’s Eve which lead to their deaths on the steps of the Manor!

Porter School

The Porter School was founded by Irish Philanthropist William Porter, and was the first Reform School in South Africa. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

The Manor House was built by famous Cape Architect Louis Thibault for Andreas Teubes (the second owner of the farm) and was completed in 1796. He was declared bankrupt in 1799, probably as a result of building the property. A subsequent owner, Petrus Eksteen was also declared bankrupt in 1849 but a relative bought it. The property remained in the Eksteen family for over eighty years after which they sold it to the Cape Government for 7 500 pounds in 1883.

Forests are a feature of Tokai, where the fertile soil and relative wind-free situation assists in the area being well suited to gardening enthusiasts.

The Tokai forest was started by Simon van der Stel who planted over 4000 oak trees in 1694. The pines were first planted in the 1880’s.

Historical Forests