Matjiesrivier is a town at the southern foot of the Waboomsberg, some 37 km south of Prince Albert, off the road to Oudtshoorn. Afrikaans for 'mat river', the reference is to a type of sedge (Cyperus textilis) growing there, used by Khoekhoen in making mats with which they made their huts. Matjiesgoed is the common name for this sedge, literally 'mat stuff.