Redhouse, a quaint little village that’s the epitome of tranquility, lies at the edge of the Swartkops River, about 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Port Elizabeth.
Life here is all about the river, the estuary and the adjacent saltpans. It’s a bird lovers’ paradise and one of the best places in the country for sightings of the less common estuarine waders and terns.
The dense succulent thicket vegetation to the north is protected by the Zwartkops Valley and Aloe nature reserves. Some of the birds which can be spotted in the reserves include flamingos, African black oystercatchers, sand plovers, sandpipers and little terns.
According to resident Frank Collier, nothing matches the lifestyle you can have in Redhouse.
“My home is on the river. It is an absolute pleasure to wake up to the view,” he says. “I have lived in Redhouse most of my life, and my family first arrived here four generations ago.
"I run my business from home and I am the chairman of the Zwartkops Conservancy, an NGO of 50 years’ standing that fights to protect the Swartkops River and its surrounding nature reserves.”Property
Most properties are half-acre plots although some are subdivided. The houses vary from a few remaining wood and iron constructions – these are very old and so protected by the Heritage Act – to brick houses built in the 1930s and modernised, and then a few more modern buildings.
“Mine is 27 years old, which is quite modern by village standards,” says Frank.
Redhouse has always been very different to a normal suburb; it’s small and relatively self-contained.
“It is a magic place for children and dogs, and for people interested in rowing and sailing. To live here is to be involved in your community,” he adds.According to Frank, houses in Redhouse seldom change hands and the banks can battle to determine fair value.
That said, prices are “ridiculously low” when compared to other places in the world with a 100m-wide tidal river flowing past the houses.
“We are actually contemplating a project whereby we target people we think would be an asset to the village, like people who would appreciate the traditions and way of life developed over the past 150 years.
“The Zwartkops Conservancy is negotiating with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to ‘co-manage’ the Swartkops Valley and the river with the ultimate goal to achieve international Ramsar Wetland status.
"This will lead to international tourism and urban renewal in Redhouse, thus turning a downward spiral upwards,” says Frank.Schooling
There’s only one primary school in the area, namely Redhouse Primary School. About 400 children are bussed in from Motherwell to attend the school every day.
Most parents living in Redhouse, however, send their children to schools in town.
“My kids went to the Grey junior and high schools. We used our flat in town as a changing room for them to save the travel in and out of town,” he says.Explore
Sailing and rowing on the river are the most popular pastimes Redhouse offers. The constant call of birds, water skiing and river cruises also provide entertainment.
One would only need the odd trip to a supermarket for supplies or hiking and mountain biking in the Aloe or Zwartkops Valley reserves, to complete the picture of serenity, according to Frank.
Nearby Amsterdamhoek, with its quaint historic houses right on the Swartkops River estuary, is a wonderful place to catch a magnificent sunset, drink in hand.
According to Frank, Redhouse is quiet during the week but gets busy over weekends, particularly in summer, when many activities are based around the river.
“There is a pretty active social life centred on the Zwartkops Rowing Club, founded in 1873.”
The nicest beach near Redhouse is Bluewater Bay, which is always popular with the residents.
“Redhouse really is a unique place – people come back time and again to revisit their idyllic childhood. It appeals to people who understand that type of lifestyle,” says resident Frank Collier.SEE
There is a good variety of things to do in Redhouse, much of it based around the river like yachting, rowing and fishing.
Despite concerns about pollution in the river, the locals still make extensive use of the river.
There is also snooker on offer, a garden club and local societies mainly aimed at women, such as the monthly Kik Club.
The church in Redhouse is another base for activities.
SHOP
According to Frank, there are no shops allowed in the village but plenty of shopping can be done in Despatch, which is just 10 minutes’ drive away.
Despatch has retail and speciality stores for whatever residents and visitors may need.