Knysna

The explanation that exists for the origins of the name "Knysna" suggest that it comes from "|heisna", purportedly from a Eastern Cape Khoe word for "tree" plus a locative suffix that together might have meant "place of timber", "place of tree-ferns".

Forty fossilised hominid footprints, dating to about 90,000 years ago, along with various other archaeological discoveries suggest that humans have lived in Knysna for well over 300,000 years. The first of these were various San Hunter-gatherer peoples who inhabited most of Southern Africa in the Paleolithic. The San were gradually displaced and absorbed by southward migrating Khoekhoe peoples. The indigenous inhabitants of the Knysna area are a southern Khoekhoe people called the Houtunqua or Outeniqua. Their name means "The People Who Bear Honey". From the Khoekhoegowab words /hao, 'honey', tun'(teni), 'to carry (verb)', and khoe rendered as qua, meaning people. Little is known about Houtunqua society prior to European contact. What little historical sources exist are not elaborate. …

The town is primarily built on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary, known as the Knysna Lagoon, which is fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between two large headlands made up of Peninsula Formation quartzites. These are popularly known as "The Heads", and have become infamous due to the loss of boats and fishermen passing through their treacherous and unpredictable waters. The Paquita, a German vessel, sank on the eastern side of the Knysna Heads in 1903. Near them are geological formations, known locally as "The Map Stones". To the north of Knysna, Afro-Montane or temperate rainforest covers the hilly terrain for 20 km until changing to fynbos or macchia high in the Outeniqua Mountains. …

The town is a popular destination for both tourists and senior citizens entering retirement, especially among the British and former expatriates due to the year-round warm climate. Recently, the town has also become a preferred destination among golfers, as the town boasts several world class golf courses, including Pezula Golf Course, Simola Golf Course and the well established Knysna Golf Course situated on the lagoon. It is near the towns of Plettenberg Bay and George, where there are airports. Knysna is also home to Mitchell's Brewery although the company no longer brews beers in the town. The forest, rivers, estuary, and ocean surrounding the town are dotted with hiking trails and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Hikers, runners, kayakers, swimmers, and fishermen are known to be particularly fond of Knysna. …

Kurt Coleman (born 1990) – professional rugby union player Warrick Gelant (born 1995) – professional rugby union player Caspar Lee (born 1994) – YouTube personality Rudolf Eric Koertzen (1949–2022) – international cricket umpire D. C. S. Oosthuizen (1926–1969) – philosopher, a critic of Apartheid; born here George Rex (1765–1839) – founder of Knysna, landowner and timber merchant Eric Robinson (1891–1982) – opened first private veterinary practice in Knysna William Smith (born 1939) – television science and mathematics teacher Charles Wilhelm Thesen (1856–1940) – shipowner and timber merchant Alan Winde (born 1965) – 8th Premier of the Western Cape Josh Pieters (born 1993) – YouTube personality Mathrin Simmers (born 1988) - professional women rugby union player Rob Still (born 1955) - mining executive, owner of De Rustica Olive Estate