The Sonderend River, also known as the Riviersonderend (Afrikaans for River without an end), is a main tributary of the Breede River, located in Western Cape Province, South Africa. The village of Riviersonderend is believed to have taken its name from the river.

Sonderend River
The River in flood
Sonderend River is located in South Africa
Sonderend River
EtymologyAfrikaans/Dutch for "River without an end"
Location
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceWestern Cape
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationNear Villiersdorp
MouthBreede River
 • location
Between Stormsvlei and Swellendam
 • coordinates
34°4′14″S 20°17′7″E / 34.07056°S 20.28528°E / -34.07056; 20.28528
 • elevation
84 m (276 ft)
Length115 km (71 mi)

Naming

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In 1673, Willem ten Rhyne referred to the river as "sine fine flumen" (Latin for "endless river"). In 1707, Jan Hatogh, a Dutch East India Company horticulturist, referred to the river as the "Kantdydnn", likely derived from the Hessequa "Kamma-kan Kamma", roughly "water, endless water" or "endless river". The Hessequa were a local tribe of Khoi-khoi herders.[1][2]

Dams in the River

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Welcome to Riviersonderend !!!". riviersonderend.co.za. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Intro (English) to the Resolutions of Cape of Good Hope / Place names of Khoi origin". Archived from the original on March 21, 2005.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)