Bega(Rivier)
The Bega River originates northwest of Alexandria and flows eastwards to water on the border between the districts Alexandria and Bathurst in the Bushmans River. Two spheres or tributaries of the Bega River originate on the farm 'de Bega' No Alx. Q. 2-3. The farm is bordered by Brakfontein Nr on the eastern side. Q. 5-40; On his east side, the farm is 'No.' No. F. 8-17. To the south of this farm De Bega is the farm 'milkwoods tree' No Alx. Q. 1-18. On topographical grounds, there is a connection between the Names de Bega, Bega River and Melkwoods Tree. There is also a relationship between the names. BI is Nama for 'Milch Busch' (Cr. R. 1969 NW 39), which joins Ou-Cape Bi, Bie- = Milk (Hott 382). Based on the above considerations, we believe 'milkwoods tree', at least in its first component, is a translation of the Khoekhoian river and regional name 'Bega'. Contact form of BL- = Milkwood, Melkbos, and the slot member -GA is probably like Nama -Xa, the exit morpheme that indicates multiplicity. So '(the place / river of) many milk bushes / milkwood trees'. Cfg. Begha in th a * 260, for another place / river, viz. At 3327 A, where the first member, be- / bi-, is associated with 'milk'. For all certainty, it is emphasized that it is about the Bega River to the north of Alexandria.
