The picturesque village of Montagu has been crowned radio station Kfm’s Dorpie of the Year for 2025, a testament to the extraordinary community spirit that defines this historic settlement nestled between the Langberg and Klein Karoo.
The award recognises not only the natural beauty of this Western Cape gem, but the remarkable way its entire community – from street cleaners to business owners, farmers to tourism operators – works together to maintain their town’s pristine condition while fostering both tourism growth and job creation.
A community that cares
Mareletta Mundey, head of Montagu and Ashton Tourism, couldn’t contain her excitement when discussing the award. “We are still so excited, and it’s wonderful to see how the entire town claims this prize as a whole community achievement,” she said. “This award truly belongs to absolutely everyone in the town – from people who roll up their sleeves and never think anything is too much trouble, even cleaning, even the smallest task, right through to the farmers and tourism operators who all work together.”
The recognition highlights what happens when a community genuinely stands together, Mundey explained. “I think we know we live in an amazing little town because we experience it from the inside and get the feeling of how people care for their village. When you have a town where people care, then you have a wonderful little town. So we are very, very proud of that.”
Natural beauty meets heritage preservation
Montagu’s appeal extends far beyond community spirit. The town boasts stunning mountain landscapes that provide the perfect backdrop for adventure activities, beautifully preserved heritage buildings, and an atmosphere that captivates visitors from their first encounter.
“We have so many good things given to us that we can only say thank you – like our lovely mountains that lend themselves to all the adventures, our beautiful buildings, our heritage,” Mundey noted. “Things that are beautifully preserved because people actually care.”
The impact of this community dedication is evident in visitor responses. “This is a place that people love to visit, and they mostly want to buy property once they’ve been here for the first time,” Mundey said.
The Dorpie of the Year recognition serves as more than just an accolade – it’s validation of the community’s efforts and encouragement to continue their exemplary work. “For us, it helps by giving just that little pat on the shoulder to say, ‘Keep loving your town. Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re doing something right,’” Mundy emphasised.
“We know this award will attract even more visitors to Montagu and we know that once they’ve been here, they’ll leave as friends.”
Kfm’s Dorpie of the Year award recognizes small towns across the Western Cape that demonstrate exceptional community spirit, tourism appeal, and overall quality of life. Montagu’s 2025 victory places it among an elite group of villages that exemplify the best of small-town South African living.
For tourism information about Montagu, visit: https://www.montagu-ashton.info/
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