RIEBEEK KASTEEL History and Stories. - JAN VAN RIEBEEK; SIMON VAN DER STEL; ALLESVERLOREN; FRENCH HUGENOTS;

SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY; STORIES AND RIEBEEK KASTEEL.

SOME OF THE POLITICAL DATES IN SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY

Circa 500BC:  Pharaoh Necho of Egypt sends a fleet of ships manned by Phoenician sailor from the Red Sea along the Eastern coastline of Africa. Three years later they enter the Straights of Gibraltar.
Circa 100ad:  Khoikhoi and San people begin to move Southwards into the Southern Cape regions. San are nomadic with no concept of ownership. Khoi or Bushmen are herders of cattle and growers of crops.
1488 -- Bartolomue Dias rounds the Cape in search of a trade route from Lisbon to India
1652 - Landing of Jan van Riebeek; First attempt to build a fort from stones, sticks and mud. Required by the VOC
1661 - Discovery of the Riebeek Valley by Pieter Cruythoff.
1666 - 1679  -- Building of the Castle of Good Hope.
1688  -- French Hugenots (French Protestants) come to the Cape
1803 - 1815 - Napoleonic wars ending with the Battle of Waterloo, led by the Duke of Wellington; and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.
1806  -- Occupation of the Cape by the British
1820 -  British Settlers - After the end of the Napoleonic wars many British unemployed. 90 000 applied and 4000 approved travelled to the Cape in 60 parties. Settled in Port Elizabeth, Bathurst, Grahamstown and East London. And then moved northwards to Zululand and King Shaka.
1835 -- Voortrekkers: During 1835 - 1845 around 30 pioneer leaders moved inland from the Cape together with 2500 families.
1867 -- Discovery of Diamonds in South Africa
1880 - 1888 - First Anglo Boer War: following the Annexation of the Transvaal as a British Colony the Boers fought to regain their independence. The boers win this war in August 1888
1886 -- Discovery of Gold in the Rand
1895 -- Jameson Raid. An attempt by British statesman LS Jameson (approved by CJ Rhodes) to overthrow the rule of Paul Kruger in the Transvaal Republic.
1899 - 1902 - 2nd Anglo  Boer War (South African war) ended with the Annexation of the Transvaal and the Orange Free state by the British.
1910 -- Union of South Africa (Colonies: Cape; Natal; Orange River; Transvaal)
1919 - End of WW1
1945 - End of WW2
1948 - NP wins the Elections over the United Party; limited franchise granted to coloured and Asian people. Africans had been denied the vote since 1930. And the start of Apartheid Legislation.
1961 -- Republic of South Africa
21.3.1961 -- Sharpville police open fire on 5000 Black Africans protesting against the pass laws and kill 69 people
16.6.1976 -- 20 000 High School students of Soweto riot against the use of Afrikaans in their schools. Over 170 are killed.
1990 -- 11.2.1990 Release of Nelson Mandela (1918 - 2013) from Victor Verster (Paarl) prison (Initially on Robben Island and then Polsmoor Prison)
1994 -- Democratic Elections - Mandela serves as President until 1999

The Jameson Raid (29 December 1895 – 2 January 1896) was a botched raid on Paul Kruger's Transvaal Republic carried out by British colonial statesman Leander Starr Jameson and his Company troops ("police" in the employ of Beit and Rhodes' British South Africa Company) and Bechuanaland policemen over the New Year weekend of 1895–96. It was intended to trigger an uprising by the primarily British expatriate workers (known as Uitlanders) in the Transvaal but failed to do so. The workers were called the Johannesburg conspirators. They were expected to recruit an army and prepare for an insurrection. The raid was ineffective and no uprising took place, but it was an inciting factor in the Second Boer War

JAN VAN RIEBEEK.  GOVERNOR OF THE CAPE COLONY 7 APRIL 1652  - 6 MAY 1662
Born in Culomberg, Netherlands; Holy Roman Empire. 
Considered by many South Africans to be the father of the Afrikaner Nation.

January 1661 Pieter Cruythoff led the first expedition to climb what is now the Bothmaskloof pass. The mountain was named Riebeeks Kasteel after their commander.  On 4th February 1661 they gazed down below into the valley and saw 1000's of Hartebees (Dutch for deer is Hert and the Afrikaans word for animal is bees and so the name Harebees was born); quagga (Zebra) and 5 Rhinoceros.  Riebeek Kasteel has become a delightful retreat for writers, painters, musicians such as Werner Denner, John Harris and Matthew Satchwell, and anyone seeking beauty and a retreat from the bustle of Cape Town. This village is home to wine farms such as Allesverloren where DF (Danie) Malan was born and Jan Smuts on Ongegund.
Jan Smuts was Prime Minister 1939 - 1948 as leader of the United Party.
DF Malan was Prime Minister 1948 - 1954 as leader of the National Party
The two parties had radically different political outlooks.
Riebeek Kasteel is a favourite venue for Weddings and other functions (Talk to Niki Steenkamp Director of The Event Planners niki@theeventplanners.co.za to arrange a wedding or activity)



Jan van Riebeek 1619 - 1677
First commander of the Cape Colony (In office 1652-1662)
In 1651 he volunteered to undertake the command of the initial Dutch settlement in the future South Africa. He landed three ships (Dromedaris; Reijger and Goede Hoop) at the future Cape Town on 6 April 1652 and fortified the site as a way-station for the VOC trade route between the Netherlands and the East Indies. The primary purpose of this way-station was to provide fresh provisions for the VOC fleets sailing between the Dutch Republic and Batavia, as deaths en route were very high. The Walvisch and the Oliphant arrived later in 1652, having had 130 burials at sea.
Van Riebeeck was Commander of the Cape from 1652 to 1662; he was charged with building a fort, with improving the natural anchorage at Table Bay, planting cereals, fruit and vegetables and obtaining livestock from the indigenous Khoi and Nama people.  The initial fort, named Fort of Good Hope was made of mud, clay and timber, and had four corners or bastions. This fort was replaced by the Castle of Good Hope, built between 1666 and 1679 after van Riebeeck had left the Cape.

1655 - Jan van Riebeek was the Commander of the Cape Settlement.  He was employed by the VOC Vereenigde Oost - Indirsche Compagnie - Founded in 1602 the VOC was the biggest company in the world at that time; it was based in the Netherlands and had its own Army and Navy.  He was assigned to provide victuals for passing ships and van Riebeek wanted to explore the north of the Cape Settlement to find Pastoralists with whom he could trade cattle. He had rescued sailors who had been wrecked on the Cape Coast a year earlier and reported that the local people were friendly and had cattle to barter. 

On 15th March 1655 Van Riebeek appointed Wintervogel to search for the Nama people. In the distance were the mountains now known as Pardeberg and Kasteel Berg when they came across Hotentots (San People) who at first appeared hostile but who finally became amiable.
The party returned to the Fort on 6 April 1655 without achieving its objective of finding people to barter for cattle or sheep but had opened a route to the north.  Jan van Riebeek continued to send expeditions northwards to try to find pastoralists who would barter for their cattle and sheep.


FORMER PREMIERS OF SOUTH AFRICA COME FROM THIS REGION
Next to Riebeek Kasteel is Riebeek West:  Two of our former presidents were born here. 

Jan Christiaan Smuts (1870 - 1950) was born on the farm Ongegund 24 May 1870. From the age of 12 he attended the School Die Ark in Riebeek West. Later he was at Victoria College in Stellenbosch and 1891, through the University of the Cape of Good Hope, obtained a degree in Science and Literature with Honours. He obtained a scholarship to Cambridge University where he studied law.  He returned to South Africa in 1895 to practice law.
He had political positions under the Premier Paul Kruger, Louis Botha and Hertzog. He became Prime Minister of the Union of SA in 1920. And after the defeat of Hertzog he was appointed Premier in 1939 until the elections of 1948 when he resigned and DF Malan took over as leader of what became known as the National Party.
D.F. Malan (1874 - 1959) was born on the farm Allesverloren 1874 and became a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church before entering politics. He was appointed Prime Minister in 1948 - 1954 and was part of the formation of what became known as Apartheid. He died in Stellenbosch in 1959.

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 31.5.1910 - 31.5.1961
Previously we were 4 colonies: the Cape Colony; the Transvaal Colony; Natal Colony and the Orange River Colony. After WW1 German South West Africa was under the administration of the Union effectively as another province. In 1990 South-West Africa gained independence as Namibia, but Walvis Bay remained under South African sovereignty. At midnight on 28 February 1994 South Africa formally transferred sovereignty over Walvis Bay to Namibia.
In 1922 a referendum to include the colony of Southern Rhodesia into the Union of South Africa was defeated 60/40.
The Union of South Africa was under the dominion of the British Empire with Queen Elizabeth 2nd as our last reigning queen. 31st May 1961 South Africa became a Sovereign Republic.

IN HONOUR OF PIETER CRUIJHOFF'S EXPEDITION AND JOURNEY OVER THIS NECK
 4 FEB 1661

At the Lookout Point which the motorist finds coming down the Bothmaskloof pass towards Riebeek Kasteel. Turn left into the Olive Grove and you will find the stone remembering The Pieter Cruijhoff Expedition.  30.1.1661 Corporal Pieter Cruijhoff, Doctor Pieter Meerhoff, a farmer, 10 Soldiers and some Khoi with 5 Oxen set off to find the Nama People to purchase cattle. They named the Mountain Riebeek's Kasteel in honour of their Commander.  The valleys below were teeming with wildlife: Horses (which turned out to be Zebra or Quagga); Lion; Rhino; 1000's of Hartebees and  Ostrich. 
The valley was to have fertile grassland and streams.  After these expeditions, the VOC made no attempt to allocate the land to Free Burghers for cattle breeding or growing of wheat however they were permitted to hunt. The Cape settlement in the 1600's was considered to be a victualing station and not a colony. However by 1700 expansion and settlement grew fast. By 1730 the Governor of the Cape wrote: "All sustainable land with water has been allocated".

This area is known as Het Swartland;  A likely explanation is that the "Renosterveld that covered most of the uncultivated land has a blackish colour at certain times of the year which would explain the  name."  

The Swartland Region of the Western Cape.  Includes Malmesbury & Mooreesburg on the N7 (the Cape to Namibia route); Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel and in the West is Darling and Ysterfontein close to the R27.

Jan van Riebeeck is of cultural and historical significance to South Africa. Many of the Afrikaner population view him as the founding father of their nation. This regard was also prevalent in that his image appeared ubiquitously on stamps and the South African currency from the 1940s up until 1993 when the South African Reserve Bank changed the currency to an apolitical design of the fauna and flora of the region. The image used on the currency notes was not that of Van Riebeeck, but of Bartholomeus Vermuyden.
6 April used to be known as Van Riebeeck's Day, and later as Founders' Day but the holiday was abolished by the ANC government after the elections of 1994. His image no longer features on any official currency or stamps, but statues of him and his wife remain in Adderley Street, Cape Town. The coat of arms of the city of Cape Town is based on the Van Riebeeck family coat of arms.
Many South African towns and villages have streets named after him. Riebeek-Kasteel is one of the oldest towns in South Africa, situated 75 km from Cape Town in the Riebeek Valley together with its sister town Riebeek West.

During his time at the Cape, Van Riebeeck oversaw a sustained, systematic effort to establish an impressive range of useful plants in the novel conditions on the Cape Peninsula – in the process changing the natural environment forever. Some of these, including grapes, cereals, ground nuts, potatoes, apples and citrus, had an important and lasting influence on the societies and economies of the region. The daily diary entries kept throughout his time at the Cape (VOC policy) provided the basis for future exploration of the natural environment and its natural resources. Careful reading of his diaries indicate that some of his knowledge was learned from the indigenous peoples inhabiting the region

 

THE FRENCH HUGUENOTS

Even before the large-scale arrival of the Huguenots at the Cape of Good Hope in the 17th century, a small number of individual Huguenot refugees settled there. They included Francois Villion, later known as Viljoen, and the Du Toit brothers. In fact, the first Huguenot to arrive at the Cape of Good Hope was Maria de la Quellerie, the wife of governor Jan van Riebeeck, who started the settlement at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652 on behalf of the Dutch East India Company; however, she and her husband left for Batavia after ten years. After a commissioner was sent out from the Cape Colony in 1685 to attract more settlers, a more dedicated group of immigrants began to arrive. A larger number of French refugees began to arrive in the Cape after leaving their country as a result of the Edict of Fontainebleau which revoked the Edict of Nantes granting religious toleration of Protestants.

On 31 December 1687 a group of Huguenots set sail from France as the first of the large scale emigration of Huguenots to the Cape of Good Hope, which took place during 1688 and 1689. In total some 180 Huguenots from France, and 18 Walloons from the present-day Belgium, eventually settled at the Cape of Good Hope. A notable example of this is the emigration of Huguenots from La Motte d'Aigues in Provence, France. After this large scale emigration, individual Huguenot immigrant families arrived at the Cape of Good Hope as late as the first quarter of the 18th century, and the state-subsidised emigration of Huguenots was stopped in 1706.

This small body of immigrants had a marked influence on the character of the Dutch settlers. They were purposely spread out and given farms amongst the Dutch farmers. Owing to the policy instituted in 1701 of the Dutch East India Company which dictated that schools should teach exclusively in Dutch, that all official correspondence had to be done in Dutch, and strict laws of assembly, the Huguenots ceased by the middle of the 18th century to maintain a distinct identity, and the knowledge of French diminished and eventually disappeared as a home language. This assimilation into the colonial population was also due to the fact that many Huguenot descendants married individuals from the Dutch population.

Franschhoek

Franschhoek Valley

Many of these settlers were allocated farms in an area later called Franschhoek, Dutch for "French corner", in the present-day Western Cape province of South Africa. The valley was originally known as Olifantshoek ("Elephant's Corner"), so named because of the vast herds of elephants that roamed the area. The name of the area soon changed to le Coin Français ("the French Corner"), and later to Franschhoek, with many of the settlers naming their new farms after the areas in France from which they came. La Motte, La Cotte, Cabriere, Provence, Chamonix, Dieu Donne and La Dauphine were among some of the first established farms-—most of which still retain their original farm houses today.

THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE KASTEEL VALLEY BUILT 1863.

CHURCH AT RIEBEEK KASTEEL

 IN REMEBERANCE OF THE EPIC JOURNEY OF SIMON VAN DER STEL TO KOPERBERGE IN NAMAKWALAND. THE EXPEDITION TOOK PLACE ON THIS NECK OVERNIGHT IN THE KLOOF BELOW ON THURSDAY 30 AUGUST 1685

ERECTED WITH THANKS

8 OCTOBER 1985

RAPPORTRYERS; VAN RIEBEEK

The Rapportryers – this group was launched as counterpart to the Lions and Rotary organisations.

 

 THE PIETER CRUYTHOFF AND TAALMONUMENT HAVE BEEN MOVED FROM THEIR ORIGINAL PLACE IN THE NECK FOR A TEMPORARY PERIOD DURING THE REPUBLIC CELEBRATION ON 9 MAY 1981 AS A RESULT OF THE UPGRADING OF THE PASS.

THE CHURCH IS NOW A MUSEUM

MUSEUM HOURS --  MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9AM TO 4PM; 
FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS 9AM TO 1PM.

 

CHURCH BELL ---- I TRIED IT OUT AND IT STILL WORKS WELL. 25.3.2016
This is the Old Church (Die Oude Kerk) of Riebeek Kasteel.  It was built in 1863 to serve the Riebeek Valley community who had previously attended church services in Malmesbury four times a year to participate in Communion (Nagmaal). This church was replaced in 1915 by the church erected in the main street.
The church was sold in the 1980's to a construction company (owned by two brothers) and used for general storage.  One of the brothers hanged himself from the rafters of the vestry. His ghost continues to open doors and appears as a non threatening, stubborn apparition.
The Church is now a museum which, houses a horse drawn hearse and may explain the appearance of a gentleman in dark clothing and top hat. He startles people, gliding from the front door and into the museum. He does not trigger the motion detectors of the alarm system. It could be that he is the coachman checking on his hearse or that he is a church elder doomed to wander about this Swartland village.
Over the years there have been reports of a shady lady who wanders about.  She ignores any greetings and fades away after a brief period.  This lady appears to have a regal bearing and has, thus far, been non threatening.

John Harris, is a local resident of "The Valley"; and on 25th April 2016 confirmed the above stories.  We were in Riebeek Kasteel for Easter Weekend and the Two Oceans Marathon (21k for me). John owned the restaurant -- Tujays, with his ex wife Jody from 2007 to 2010 in the church annex.
John has, at different times, experienced the following:

1. Pots rearranged on the floor in front of the sink.  Legend has it that the lady who used to prepare the chickens for the church functions, dropped dead one day in front of the sink. She carries on regardless.
2. He experienced a cleaning lady coming into the hall from the front and as he spoke to her she disappeared from sight.
3. The Museum has a  Perambulator (old babies pram) which he noticed was being moved on occasion; so he took chalk and marked exactly where the wheels were and then the next morning checked to find that the wheels were half a meter from where he had put the chalk marks.
4. On one occasion John had to sleep in the restaurant after a very late night.  He placed a mattress and pillow on the long table and found that he simply could not sleep due to the presence of invisible things pressing on him. Almost like a body or weight being placed on his body as he lay down.
5. John tells me that he has also slept in the Hearse on occasion as it was more comfortable than the table! He reports that he slept well.  

SIMON VAN DER STEL AND HIS SON WILLEM ADRIAAN VAN DER STEL.

Simon van der Stel was governor of the Cape Colony 1691- 1699.
Simon was the son of Adriaan van der Stel, an official of the Dutch East India Company (VOC, Verenigde Oos-Indiese Kompanjie).
His mother was Maria Lievens, daughter of a freed Indian slave woman
Simon van der Stel was also the first Cape Governor to be of mixed race-origin, a fact that was largely unacknowledged by the Apartheid government
Simons Town and Stellebosch both get their names from Simon Van Der Stel.
Simon established his wine estate at Groot Constantia in 1680.

ALLESVERLOREN

France: 1685 as a result of the Edict of Fontainebleau the Edict of Nantes of 1598 was revoked. The Edict of Nantes gave freedom to Protestants of France (Also known as Hugenots). This meant that there was a general exodus of Hugenots from France to various protestant countries such as Britain and Holland. Simon van der Stel requested those with knowledge of Wine should be sent to the Cape. 180 Hugenots arrived at the Cape in 1688. Many settled in the Franschhoek area.
One of the early wine farms to be established in the Kasteelberg area is where the farmhouse was built in 1696. When the farmers were away on a long tedious journey to Stellenbosch to attend church and to purchase provisions. the farm was plundered and invaded by the San. The house had been burnt down and the cattle stolen. In a moment of despair the farm was named Allesverloren (All is Lost).  They rebuilt the farmhouse and replenished the livestock. The farm changed hands a number of times but in 1870 the Malan family took ownership and the fifth generation continue to operate Allesverloren as a successful wine and port brand to this day. DF Malan became the first National Party Prime Minister in 1948.

Willem Adriaan van der Stel (Son of Simon) was Second Governor of the Cape Colony 1699 - 1707;
He opened the new areas of Tulbach and the Riebeek valley.  Riebeek Kasteel became an outpost manned by a corporal and 8 men. A cannon can be found in the village. This cannon placed on the top of Kasteelberg and was used to signal that a ship was in the harbour and needed replenishing with produce.

THE CHURCH OF RIEBEEK KASTEEL

The Church in Malmesbury was established in 1745 and the residents of Riebeek Kasteel would journey there four times a year to attend services and also to barter goods and produce.
In the 1850's the community decided to build a church of their own.  The cornerstone of the church was laid 8th August 1855.
This upset the neighbouring farmers from further down the valley (Riebeek West)
The Kasteel Residents went ahead and established the Congregation of Riebeek Kasteel with 177 members in October 1863.
On 26th December 1858 the Congregation of Riebeek West was established with 144 members.
While the Riebeek Kasteel church was replaced in 1914; the church of Riebeek West has been enlarged over the years and continues to operate.
Kasteel developed into a working town with humble dwellings whereas West became a retirement village for the farmers and families of the valley.

SWARTLAND MURDER MYSTERY

THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF FRANS JOOSTEN 3 JANUARY 1714

• Frans born Germany 1670.  Joined the army of the Dutch East India Company. Arrived in Table Bay 1693.  Started working as a farm labourer.  By 1700 VOC had to expand food production due to under supply to passing ships. And they offered farmland to suitable candidates. 
• Frans made an application for land in the Vogelvallei near to Hermon (about 90km from Cape Town). It seems that the name of this farm was Bartholomeusklip.
• He purchased a span of oxen; a plough, a wagon, seeds and building materials.
• 1706 Frans married Maria Mouton who was 16 years old at the time. Frans must have been about 36.
• They had two children.  Frans purchased two slaves:  Titus van Bengal and Fortuyn van Angola. Frans also borrowed another slave: Pieter van Madagascar.  
• By 1713 the farm was flourishing. It comprised a farmhouse, two barns, a kraal, a vineyard and wheat field and livestock.
• On 3 January 1714 Frans disappeared. Isaac Visagie came looking for Frans and Maria told him that Frans was in the veld checking up on the cattle.
• Four days later Maria reported that Frans was missing to the magistrate of the Drakenstein District.
• The magistrate visited the farm to find 5 slaves in the kitchen  eating and drinking wine. This disturbed him and he admonished Maria.
• Rumours began to circulate that Maria was responsible for her husband's death and that she had ordered the slaves to kill him.  It is easy to see how wicked rumours can spread between locals who have nothing better to do.
• The slave, Pieter became a suspect as he had disagreements with Frans and had absconded and stole cattle. He confessed to this but denied having anything to do with the disappearance of Frans.
• In May, upon questioning, Maria suggested that Pieter was a difficult person and had threatened Frans and that he was probably responsible for the disappearance of Frans.
• Pieter made a counter allegation that Titus had approached him to kill Frans and Maria had also been part of such a conspiracy.  Pieter had declined.
• Fortuyn was questioned and admitted that Titus and Maria were having an affair.  This was an absolute bombshell! A sexual relationship between a White Christian woman and a coloured slave! Totally unacceptable. There was a stunned silence in the courtroom.
• Titus later confirmed that Maria had come to his bed one night and he had slept with her. And that this had happened while Frans was alive and had been going on for three years.
• Maria was again questioned and she now alleged that  Titus had shot her husband and that she had ordered him to be buried in a Porcupine Burrow behind the farmhouse.
• Titus was questioned and, due to the pressure of questioning, he now said that Maria had bludgeoned her husband to death while he was asleep and that they had buried the body in a Porcupine Burrow.
• The body of Frans was found in the Porcupine Burrow behind the farmhouse.
•  On 18th July 7014 the trial of Maria, Titus and Fortuyn began. Accusations; half truths; contradictions and denials abounded until on 13th August the Magistrate gave all parties two days to reconsider their statements after which they would be tortured until the truth was established.
• But before that could happen one of the children of Frans and Maria told the following story:  His mother and father were arguing, Maria ran out of the house with Frans in pursuit. Titus grabbed the gun and fired at Frans but missed. Fortuyn became involved and hit Frans a mighty blow on the back of the neck with a knobkerrie.  Both slaves proceeded to beat Frans to death. They then buried the body in the Porcupine Burrow.
• Fortuyn broke down the following day and confessed that the child's version was correct.
• The Council of Justice considered the matter for two weeks as to sentence a European Christian woman to death was unheard of and would be shocking to the public and would set a precedent in the Cape.
• Finally on 30th August 7014 Maria, Titus and Fortuyn were sentenced to the most horrific public executions.  Pieter was hanged for his crimes of cattle theft and absconding.

OLIVES IN THE KASTEEL VALLEY

Easter Weekend of 25th March 2016:  On Saturday morning I run the 2 Oceans 21k.  I have been running this event (56k and 21k) since 1987.  I was injured one year and we were overseas on another occasion. I bailed one race when, in Hout Bay, I climbed into a bus as I simply was too sore and tired to continue.  So I have completed a total of 27 events - 19 of the 56k and 8 of the 21k over the past 30 years.
Barbara and I had stayed over with Patrick in Claremont which allows me to walk to the start and then after the event we drove back to Riebeek Kasteel where Nicky and Werner live.  As we drive over the Bothmaskloofpas we turn left in to the Olive Groves to find the olive trees dripping with olives.

These trees are on the North Side of the Bothmaskloofpas and next to the Kasteelberg. 
Olive oil consists of 75% monounsaturated fat. It contains compounds such as Oleocanthal, which has a strong anti inflammatory action to fight heart disease and Cancer.  It also has natural anti oxidants Polyphenol which is said to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and the risk of chronic heart disease.
Olive trees can live for hundreds and even thousands of years. Jan van Riebeek planted two olive trees in 1661.
One of the first areas in the Riebeek Valley where trees were planted was in the grounds of PPC at Riebeek West. In 1985 250 trees were planted.
The farm on the Bothmaskloof Pass is known as Kloovenburg.  Here 600 trees are planted producing 200 tonnes of olives per annum.  There are now 7 Olive farms in the area. The establishment of the Olive Boutique with a small press which can serve smaller farmers. They press the olives and help the farmers to market their products. Juliana Meredith is the owner of this business. She has a passion for olives and as a result of the increased interest in Olives, Juliana, in 2000, opened the business the Olive Boutique.
Juliana organised an olive festival in Riebeek Kasteel in 2000. This has become an annual event and takes place in the first weekend of May each year. This event attracts thousands of visitors each year and accommodation in the village is at a premium.

PICKETBERG AND THE FIRST IRON BRIDGE ACROSS THE BERG RIVER

"DE BRUG"

Drive on the N7 from Cape Town to Picketberg. You will pass a signpost to the right: "De Brug".  This section of road was the main road between Eendekuil and Picketberg. 
In 1850 the ship carrying this bridge destined for Australia needed repair and docked in Cape Town. The bridge was removed from the ship but when the repairs were completed it became impossible to put the bridge back on the ship.  So the ship continued on its journey to Australia and left the bridge behind. It remained on the dockside until in 1863 the 110m steel bridge was fitted to this section of road across the Berg River.
The bridge continues to be a functional bridge for passing motorists who probably know little of its origin.

THE STORY OF JAN VAN RIEBEEK AND THE FIRST SETTLERS IN THE CAPE

 

On 24 December 1651, accompanied by his wife and son, Jan van Riebeeck set off from Texel in The Netherlands for the Cape of Good Hope. Van Riebeeck had signed a contract with the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to oversee the setting up of a refreshment station to supply Dutch ships on their way to the East. Sailing on the Dromedaris with two other ships, the Rejiger and De Goede Hoop, Van Riebeeck was accompanied by 82 men and 8 women.

When Van Riebeeck left The Netherlands in 1651, the Council of Policy, a bureaucratic governing structure for the refreshment station, had already been established. On board the Dromedaris Van Riebeeck conducted meetings with his officials – minutes of the meetings of the Council of Policy, dated from December 1651, have been carefully archived.

Charles Bell (1813-1882) painting of Jan van Riebeeck arrives in Table Bay in April 1652

Land was sighted on 5 April 1652 and the ships docked the next day. Within a week of the arrival of the three ships, work had begun on the Fort of Good Hope. The aim was to establish a refreshment station to supply the crew of the Company's passing trading ships with fresh water, vegetables and fruit, meat and medical assistance. However, the first winter experienced by Van Riebeeck and his crew was extremely harsh, as they lived in wooden huts and their gardens were washed away by the heavy rains. As a result their food dwindled and at the end of the winter approximately 19 men had died.

The arrival of Van Riebeeck marked the beginning of permanent European settlement in the region. Along with the Council of Policy, Van Riebeeck came equipped with a document called the ‘Remonstrantie’, drawn up in the Netherlands in 1649, which was a recommendation on the suitability of the Cape for this VOC project.

Van Riebeeck was under strict instructions not to colonise the region but to build a fort and to erect a flagpole for signaling to ships and boats to escort them into the bay. However, a few months after their arrival in the Cape, the Dutch Republic and England became engaged in a naval war (10 July 1652 to 5 April 1654). This meant that the completion of the fort became urgent. Fort de Goede Hoop – a fort with four corners made of mud, clay and timber – was built in the middle of what is today Adderley Street. Around this a garden was planted and meat was bartered for with the Khoikhoi (who were initially called Goringhaikwa, and later Kaapmans). The construction for Castle of Good Hope which stands today only began in 1666, after Van Riebeeck had left the Cape, and was completed 13 years later.

Van Riebeeck’s Original Fort on the Shores of Table Bay, 1658 by Wouter Schouten (1638-1704) .

Although the VOC did not originally intend to establish a colony at the Cape, permits were issued in February 1657 to free nine company servants (who became the Free Burghers) to farm along the Liesbeeck River in order to deal with a wheat shortage. They were given as much land as they could cultivate in three years but were forbidden to trade with anyone other than the VOC. With the number of private farms increasing, by 1659 the station was producing enough to supply any passing ship. The station also began to experience a chronic labour shortage and because the Khoisan were seen as ‘uncooperative’, slaves were imported from Batavia (now northern Jakarta) and Madagascar in 1657.

The land on which the Dutch farmed was used by the Khoikhoi and the San, who lived a semi-nomadic culture which included hunting and gathering. Since they did not have a written culture, they had neither written title deeds for their land, nor did they have the bureaucratic framework within which to negotiate the sale or renting of land with strangers from a culture using written records supported by a bureaucratic system of governance. Hence Van Riebeeck, coming as he did from a bureaucratic culture with a unilateral, albeit written, mandate to establish a refreshment station, refused to acknowledge that land ownership could be organised in ways different from the Dutch/European way. He denied the Khoisan rights and title to the land, claiming that there was no written evidence of the true ownership of the land. Consequently in 1659 the Khoikhoi embarked on the first of a series of unsuccessful armed uprisings against the Dutch invasion and appropriation of their land – their resistance would continue for at least 150 years.

In response to the growing skirmishes with the local population, in 1660 Van Riebeeck planted a wild almond hedge to protect his settlement. By the end of the same year, under pressure from the Free Burghers, Van Riebeeck sent the first of many search parties to explore the hinterland. Van Riebeeck remained leader of the Cape until 1662. By the time he left the settlement in May 1662 it had grown to 134 officials, 35 Free Burghers, 15 women, 22 children and 180 slaves.

Statue of Jan van Riebeeck, Adderly Street, Cape Town

The day of Jan Van Riebeeck’s arrival became a public holiday with the 300th anniversary in 1952 and was celebrated as Van Riebeeck’s Day until 1974. During the tercentenary celebration on 6 April 1952, the Joint Planning Council (made up of members from the ANC, SAIC, SACP and COD) held mass meetings and demonstrations throughout the country as part of the lead up to the Defiance Campaign. The ANC and TIC issued a  flyer entitled ‘April 6: People Protest Day’.

In 1980 the public holiday was changed to Founder’s Day. The holiday was abolished in 1994 by the democratically elected ANC government. However, statues of Jan van Riebeeck and his wife remain in Adderley Street, Cape Town. The coat of arms of the city of Cape Town is also based on that of the Van Riebeeck family, and Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck is a popular Afrikaans high school in the centre of Cape Town.

By the beginning of the Christian era, human communities had lived in the Cape Peninsula and Western Cape by hunting, fishing and collecting edible plants for many thousands of years. They are the ancestors of the Khoisan peoples of modern times - the Bushmen (San) and the Hottentot (Khoikhoi). The Bushmen were hunter-gatherers while the Hottentot were mainly herders. Both groups were thought to have migrated southward, ahead of the Bantu-speaking peoples whose ancestral home lay well to the north. In historic times the Bushmen south of the Orange River may never have exceeded twenty thousand. They lived in small, loosely knit patrilineal bands of about 20 to 22 persons. They were highly mobile on account of their dependence on game, and for the same reason widely dispersed territorially. Their political organisation was very rudimentary. Chiefs, about whom little is known, had ritual importance in rain-making and in various other ways, and were respected as the leaders of kin-groups, but had almost no institutionalised authority. The Hottentot were mainly located along the Orange River and in the coastal belt stretching from Namibia to the Umzimvubu River in the Eastern Cape. It seems that before the arrival of the Dutch, they conducted trade with their Bantu-speaking neighbours in cattle and dagga (marijuana), and to a lesser extent in iron and copper. After the arrival of men from Europe, they traded their cattle for tobacco, and began to act as brokers in developing trade between the Europeans and the Xhosa tribes to the east. The European advance eventually cost the Hottentot their land, stock, and trading role. Twice defeated in battle and decimated by smallpox in 1713 and 1755, they ultimately lost their identity as a distinct cultural group and intermarried with slaves and others to form the Cape Coloured people. In the middle of the seventeenth century, when Europeans began to settle in the Cape Peninsula, the Bushmen and Hottentot were still in sole occupation of this region. The 'Ancients' Nearly all the stories of travel in and around South Africa that have come down to us are about journeys that were made less than five hundred years ago. But these were not the first visits of 'foreigners' to this country, and though scarcely anything is known of earlier travellers, just enough record remains to help us realise that the stories which were never written, or of which the accounts have not been discovered, may have been more interesting than those of which we know. About 2500 years ago, Pharaoh Necho was ruler of Egypt. He prepared a number of ships and manned them with Phoenician sailors, the most daring and resourceful explorers in the world. They left Egypt, by way of the Red Sea, and sailed to explore the east coast of Africa. With such small ships and with no chart to guide them, they did not venture out of sight of land and landed frequently to collect food and water, and sometimes to plant and harvest crops. They sailed around the Cape where they were most likely to land, and onward up the west coast of Africa. Three years after their departure they entered the Pillars of Hercules (Straits of Gibraltar) and headed back along a well known track to Egypt. This story is told by Herodotus, a famous Greek historian, who lived about 400 BC. After telling this story he adds an interesting remark. On their return they declared that in sailing round Libya they had the sun upon their right hand. This tells us that, as these daring voyagers sailed around the southern coast of Africa, the sun at noon was on their right hand side, and though the thinking men of their own time found this hard to believe, we know that it is highly probable that these sailors were among the earliest visitors to the land we call South Africa. The Portuguese From the time of the first recorded discovery of the Cape Of Good Hope by Portugal's Bartholomew Diaz, seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like a gigantic sign of an inn promising hospitality, it could be seen by approaching ships from over 150 km away. It served as an unmistakable beacon and a major landfall on one of the busiest arteries of world commerce. But the sudden knowledge of the Cape was not immediately followed by settlement. One hundred and sixty years after its discovery in 1488, the Peninsula was still a part of primeval Africa, almost unaffected by the tide of commerce which ebbed and flowed around its southern shores. Outward bound from Europe, the early navigators were too eager to reach the East. Homeward bound, they were too impatient to reap the profits in the European ports. Passing ships would leave postal matter under inscribed stones for other ships to find and carry forward. These so-called post office stones are still found in excavations and there is an interesting collection of them in the South African Museum in the Company's Gardens. Portuguese sailors encountered such ferocious storms around the Cape Peninsula that they christened it "Cabo Tormentosa "(Bay of Storms). In 1580, Sir Francis Drake sailed around the Cape in The Golden Hind and the ruggedness and breathtaking beauty of the peninsula caused him to write - "This Cape is a most stately thing, and the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the earth". The unsurpassed beauty of Cape Point where the winds have blown relentlessly for generations, marks the meeting place of two great currents, one from the equator (Agulhas Current- the strongest north-south current in the southern hemisphere) and the other from the Antarctic (Benguela Current), causing turbulent seas and monstrous waves. Antonio de Saldanha was the first European to land in Table Bay. He climbed the mighty mountain in 1503 and named it 'Table Mountain'. The great cross carved by the Portuguese navigators in the rock of Lion's Head is still traceable. Table Bay became known as 'Saldanha' until 1601 when the dutchman van Spilbergen named it 'Table Bay'. The Dutch In 1652 the Dutch East India Company, yielding to repeated petitions and recommendations from their ships' officers, at last decided to establish a post at Table Bay. They sent three small ships, the Dromedaris, the Reijger and the Goede Hoop under the command of the 23-year-old Jan Antony van Riebeeck, a ship's surgeon, to establish a stronghold on the shores of Table Bay. Their objective was to grow vegetables, barter for livestock, with the Hottentot tribes, and build a hospital and a sanctuary for the repair of ships. Jan van Riebeeck's first fort, subsequently replaced by the existing Castle of Good Hope, was Cape Town's first building.  (Note:  Van Riebeek was born 1619 and so must have been 33 at the time -- Not 23 as stated in this article).                         The seventeenth century was the Golden Age of the Dutch Republic. Its merchants were the most successful businessmen in Europe; their Dutch East India Company was the world's greatest trading corporation and had sovereign rights in the East and the Cape of Good Hope, and by mid-century was the dominant European maritime power in southeast Asia. Its fleet, numbering some six thousand ships totalling at least 600 000 tons, was manned by perhaps 48 000 sailors. The Cape became an outstation of the Dutch East India Company's eastern empire, based in Batavia in Java, and fell directly under the Governor-General of the Indies. From 1672 the Cape had a Governor of its own, but remained under eastern control until the end of the Company period in 1795. From Table Bay the Cape Peninsula extends southward, a long narrow mass of highlands varying in width from three to seven miles, until it tapers to the high narrow promontory of Cape Point, nearly 48 kilometres away. Only in the neighbourhood of Table Bay and along the eastern flank of the mountains as far as False Bay were there large areas of relatively level lowland favourable to early settlement. The Cape Flats, which links the Peninsula to the mainland of Africa, was then covered by sand dunes and dune vegetation. Hollows between the dunes were flooded every winter by the rains. Some of the larger ones, such as Princess Vlei, persisted as lakes throughout the year. These were the haunt of the hippopotamus, as the name Zeekoevlei still reminds us. The wagon road used by the woodcutters to the tree-covered mountain slopes of Newlands and Kirstenbosch was the first road to be opened by the European settlers. The patches of forest in Orange Kloof were preserved a little longer by their inaccessibility, but the woodcutters were soon at work in the moist valley bottom below. From the nearby anchorage near Orange Kloof, which was named Hout Bay (Wood Bay), the wood was shipped around the Mountain to Table Bay. The forests of the peninsula, never extensive, lasted barely a generation. Though trees now cover large areas of the mountain slopes once again, they are mostly exotic species. Trial crops of wheat, oats and barley succeeded admirably on the deep, loamy soils of the Liesbeek River valley, and this led to the Company's grain-farming enterprise being transferred there in 1657. A large granary, De Schuur, was built near a round grove of thorn trees known at first as Rondedoornbosjen (modern Rondebosch). The residence Groote Schuur, reconstructed in 1896 on this site is a beautiful example of old Cape architecture. It was formerly the residence of Prime Minister Cecil John Rhodes and was bequeathed by him as the official residence of the Prime Minister of South Africa. To supplement the Company's crops, a number of its servants were given their discharge and settled as independent farmers along the valley in the area now known as Rondebosch and Rosebank. Van Riebeeck himself acquired an estate farther upstream, a wooded hillside known as Bosheuvel (now the Bishopscourt Estate) on whose granitic soils he established, in 1658, the first extensive wynberg or vineyard in South Africa. Van Riebeeck handed over the government of the Colony in 1662 to Zacharias Wagenaar and returned home to his native land. During Wagenaar's term of office a site was chosen for a stronger fortress. In 1666, the foundation stones of the Castle of Good Hope were laid. Its plan was pentagonal and the Company garrisoned its soldiers there from 1674 onwards. In about 1667 the Company established a new cattle-post on the other side of Table Mountain, in the Hout Bay valley.

An interesting and informative guide to Devils Peak.

Peter  Giddy

The information contained in this blog has been obtained from personal visits, personal chats, Internet searches. However the main source of information has been from a book borrowed from Tony at the café; "Wicked Treats" in Riebeek Kasteel:  Riebeek's Castle:  A journey into the colourful and fascinating history of the Swartland:  Edited and Compiled by Gabriel and Louise Athiros & Mike Turner.  First Edition - July 2011

MARCH 2016 - LIFESAVING SA -- MASTERS COMP; IDES OF MARCH; JACKS PICNIC SPOT; HISTORY OF WALMER. TWO OCEANS 21K.

MARCH 2016
Addo tours
Garden route and adventure tours.
Wednesday Hikes -- Sardinia Bay
Ides of March - 15th March 44BC.  Caesar is assassinated by Brutus.
HISTORY OF JACKS PICNIC SPOT
HISTORY OF WALMER
Lifesaving National competition in PE -- Kings Beach -- Masters competition.
Two Oceans 21k in Cape Town
Day on the West Coast - Jacobsbaai;  Paternoster and Tietiesbaai. 


Tuesday 1st.  Start the month with a solid run of about 8k.  Tour of Addo with 5 back packers in Nissan NP200 hired vehicle.

MARIUS; ANDY; MANOUK; ALEX AND LORENZO ARE MY GUESTS TODAY IN ADDO.

We have a good day of game viewing ending up with seeing Elephant really up close to the car. 
Wednesday - 7k run with Bridget.  Barbara takes Gail to Hospital. I do some refuse pick up.
Thursday... I love the Thursday Morning Target kloof runs.  The past two weeks Kelly, Andrea and I have run the full distance to 14th Ave.  Running / shuffling all the way up the hills. Today I again have to take the Hired Nissan for five guests - Have a good day with amazing Elephant viewing up close and plenty of other game. No cats or other predators.  BUT we did see a Cape Cobra slithering across the road. This was the second time that I see a snake in this park. The first was a Boomslang as he attacked a nest of birds with the birds fighting him off and this time it was a very brief sighting as he slithered across the road -- I almost ran over him and he reared up with a hood for a second and then went off. The Cape Cobra was a shiny brown beautiful creature.
These Addo days tend to be long, with me getting home after 7pm. Meanwhile Ally has handed in her notice at St Saviours Toowoomba and hopes to move to a School in Perth.

        

 Jan and Lena at Spekboom. Friday 4th March 2016
Friday -- Anther Addo Tour for two - Jan and Lena.  Another good day with excellent Elephant viewing including real up close as the bull walks past us on the Vukani loop.

 

 Katey; Sian; Jess and Jenna ready to start the Tsitsikamma Falls adventure.

 Jess and Jenna did the Bungy this morning from the Blaukraans River Bridge seen in the background

Jenna; Jess; Sian and Katey at the Tenikwa Cheetah adventure. First walk with Cheetah and then Wild Cat walk which I did with them.
Saturday -- Katey and Sian and Jenna and Jess.  Jess and Jenna do the Bungy and then Plett for swim with seals which is cancelled due to Rough Seas.  Visit to Ena.  Then back to Bungy and on to Tsitsikamma Falls for Zip Lining. Then to Storms bridge for lunch. Then back to Bungy. And finally on to Tenikwa for Cheetah before heading home at 6pm. Met Len and Mandy Freeman who own the farm. Good talk about the Conservation and other aspects of the farm. They used to farm near to Lion Park in Natal and knew Ted and Cynthia.

 JO ANNE; CHRIS AND DEENA AT ISLAND VIBE. A SUCCESSFUL DAY AT ADDO TODAY.

WE COME ACROSS THIS ENORMOUS ELEPHANT BULL, TUCKING INTO SOME DELICIOUS SPEKBOOM, ON MPUNZI LOOP. THIS MUST SURELY BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST ANIMALS IN AFRICA!

Sunday -- Craig gives me a last minute request for an Addo tour from Island Vibe. JoAnne and Chris from UK and Deena from New York. Deena is going to spend two weeks at Kariega after this. We have an excellent day of viewing in particular we see elephant including baby Elephant that cannot be much more than a few weeks old. As we leave the park we see this beautiful Puff Adder on the road. Unfortunately my camera fails just as I want to capture it. A special day as it is Jo Anne's birthday. At Domkrag we see a pair of Blue Crane.
Monday 7th.  No running as I went to bed too late the previous evening. A day of catch up -- Take the printer to Canon who later tell me to switch it on at the "On Switch".. Do some refuse removal.
Tuesday 8th.  Good morning everybody!  Just a bit more than Two Weeks before we leave for CT for another Oceans Half. Running this morning with Andy Bolton -- He has run 32 X 56k Ultra's. And will line up again this year. This morning there are just a few of us. It has been raining but does not rain at all during our run. I run with Adrienne; Lindi and Chris. Back home -- no tours planned -- so; Make a fruit smoothy from Banana; Gooseberry; Red berry; Pineapple; Mango and peach with some yogurt. Then shower and back under the covers for a second sleep. What a good life I live.
Complete a number of Nature Guiding Assignments.
Wednesday 9th.  Hiking group -- Sardinia bay.  Great to be back with the group again.
Thursday -- Feeling the effects of recent training. Sore legs, muscles, knees and ankles. Township tour with Judie and Ray from Florida.

 Hiking group at Sardinia Bay beach walk; Flo; Robin; Jenny; Ina; Sheena; Sheila; Dave; Dennis; Paul; Peter and Wife; Julia; Matie; - 15 walkers today.

 This is the view that we are treated to as we top the sand dune from the parking area.

 Beacons marking the area where fishing is not permitted. They line up at just this point and also at the point where the Sacramento Shipwreck memorial is placed. This is where we stop for a snack before turning around back to the cars.

Township tour:  Ray; Stanley and Judie in Red Location where Stanley has his street side butchery.
Friday -- Spent most of the day doing Nature Guiding assignments.  I hope that this is the last of them for a while. Will submit next week and see if I have done everything required.
Saturday Morning.  Cold and Wet. I am at Lake farm doing Parking duty. Lene and family are there to run the 5k.  Later I pick up four guests for an Addo tour. There have been good rains and the park is looking a lot better. Green and water holes now are at least a bit wet. But Elephant are not in the same numbers as we have seen in recent months.  However we have a good day: Secretary Bird; Turtle at Domkrag; Blood Lily at Domkrag; Yellow Mongoose (Pumba's friend Timone); Buffalo up close; Cheetah at Arizona at a distance; Big bull Elephant up close;

 I meet up with Geoff who is a "Friend of Addo" facebook friends. They meet once every couple of months to do an Addo Drive and picnic. He helps me to identify this as a Blood Lily.

 Blood Lily at Domkrag after recent rains.

 Caroline; Sarah; Sophie and Anna Marie at Suurkop lookout.

 Tree aloe on the Ngulube Loop.   RIVER MILKTREE. TREE EUPHORBIA. CHANDELIER TREE

Tree Aloe to be confirmed on ISpot.   River Milktree or Tree Euphorbia
My guests today are Anna Marie from Munich who is staying at Millbury; Caroline who is French from Paris but currently on Contract with ABSA for 7 months and who is traveling the world and South Africa and will be running Oceans 21k in two weeks; Sophie and Sarah from Germany in their Gap Year were doing social work in JHB and now on Holiday.
Today was a Long Day for me as I have not been feeling well recently.
Sunday 13th March.  Patricks Birthday.  Entered SAD 21k in Wellington for 2nd May.
Monday - Still not feeling my best. Run Mount Road and Collegiate with Andrea; Almarie and Adele. No work today so back to second sleep for 30min.  Yay!.  Wash the car; dump the rubbish, Replace the Gas;
Tuesday. 23 Runners this morning; Run the full Andrew Rabie School route: John; Erica; Maryka; Stuart; John; Adele: Almarie; Andrea; Kelly; Mike; Chris; Lindie; Ingrid; Benita; Lisa; Lynn; Angela; Nicky; Helen; Amanda; Joan; Johan & Peter.
For the first time I turn down a Tour Opportunity. I have to attend a PPECB meeting for DOLE and I really am not in the mood for another day driving on a sore backside.  It turns out that the DOLE meeting is in Addo and I later fetch Jessica then go to try to register for Uber so eventually get home after 4pm anyway.

15th March -- Ides of March -- The day on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44BC by Brutus and Cassius.  He was stabbed (23 times) to death in the Senate by Brutus and 60 conspirators. Four years later, to the day, Caesar's adopted son, Octavian (Later known as Augustus), to avenge Caesar's death, killed 300 senators and knights who had fought against him. Mark Antony (consul of the Roman Republic with Caesar) was a supporter of Julius Caesar and, in 40BC, was appointed governor of Egypt. Cleopatra was the ruler of Egypt at the time. There was tension between Octavian and Antony but eased when Antony married Octavian's sister. Octavia.  But Antony had an affair with/ married Cleopatra (and had three children with her). In 31BC Antony was declared a traitor and defeated at the Battle of Actium. Antony and Cleopatra fled to Egypt where they (at different times) committed suicide.  This allowed Octavian to become supreme ruler of what became the Roman Empire and so Octavian (Caesar Augustus) came to be emperor when Christ was born. Caesar Augustus died 14AD and was succeeded by Caesar Tiberius who was the Roman Emperor when Jesus was crucified in 33AD.
It was Thomas Jefferson who came up with the name Capitol Hill, consciously invoking the famous Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome.

Kaylei; Tim and Julie -- Sacramento trail to the memorial point and back.
Wednesday morning -- Sacramento to SAMREC tour with Tim; Julia and Kaylei.  Good hike along the trail past the memorial and back on the top loop.

ALLY FINALLY MOVES WEST TO PERTH. SEEMS LIKE SHE IS A HAPPY GAPPI

 THIS IS THE CHIRPY GIRL THAT WE KNOW

ALLY -- SO GOOD TO SEE YOU WITH YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK AND HAPPY SMILE.

I often pass by the Vlei's in Wilderness area: Swartvlei and other and wonder "What is a Vlei"
WHAT IS A VLEI?
A vlei is a shallow minor lake, mostly of a seasonal or intermittent nature
. It even might refer to seasonal ponds or marshy patches where frogs and similar marsh dwellers breed. Commonly, vleis vary in their extent, or even in the presence or absence of water, according to the fall of rain or dryness of the season. In terms of water salinity, vleis may be freshwater, saltwater, or brackish. Over time a vlei may degrade into a salt pan or clay pan, such as Dead Vlei or Sossusvlei. Swartvlei in the Wilderness is open to the sea for 6 months and silted up for the balance of the year.
South African

A grassy or marshy wetland, some or all of which is covered with water during the rainy season.

A marshy depression in which water collects in the wet season :  a temporary lake

 Summies team of Richard; Jason; Fanta; Andrew; Tania; Dalen and Jason (Serrano missing)

 Stanford; Andrew Prichard and I were in the >45 Age Group

 Battle of the Bulge.  Seeing this pic makes me think that I should do something about it!

 Too much sun even though I wore a wide brimmed hat all day.  I am just not used to four hours of sun.

 Tania on the podium

 Hillary (who everyone seems to know) beat me in the Flags and the Sprint events.

 Tania wins gold

 Jason and Dalen on the podium

Fanta and Andrew

Thursday 17th;  Lifesaving Nationals at Kings Beach.  First event of the next four days is Masters.  And I am doing my first event this year at age 65.  Crazy!  The only event which I cannot do is Ski.  I have never learned to Balance.  I have been in a competition before with Stanford Slabbert but today he will take Andrew Prichard with him.  So I take part in Run, swim, run - Gold;  Malibu Board - Silver; Surf Swim - Gold; 1km Beach relay - a new event - So as I do not have a partner, I get special permission to run both legs but in the end I am disqualified so no medal; Beach Relay with Jason and Serrano - we are placed 4th.  The beach relay is total age of the three competitors and we are the only three from Summerstrand who are prepared to run. Then the flags - Silver; beach sprint - Silver - and long run - Silver.  In all of these individual events I think that there are only two >65 competitors and so I am placed either first or second in all of them.
In our team of masters today: Tania van Thiel; Jason Goedals; Jason Karogopulous; Serrano; Richard; Dalen Davidson; Stanford Slabbert; Andrew Prichard who has a real upset as his bag is stolen with all his belongings such as wallet, Car keys, Phone, and glasses. Plus the bag itself was an Ironman bag which he had worked so hard to win. Andrew Stone; Fanta Gous; and myself = a team of 11. 
Thanks Also to the three Sardinia Bay competitors who helped me with my "stuff" on Thursday: Peter and Andrew Marriot and friend.

NADINE AND STEFF -- AUSTRIANS -- AT HEAVENLY STABLES FOR A BEACH RIDE.
After the last event I rush home to shower and then pick up Nadine and Steff (Austria) and take them to Heavenly stables - where Barbara stables her horse - and the two girls have a 2 hour beach ride. They seem to love this outing and I think will remember it for some time to come.

Friday morning -- Meet with Craig.  Sort out some stuff at home.  Township tour with Tim, Julie and Kaylei.  We visit Human Dignity Centre where Sandile takes us for a tour.  We then drive through Walmer Township and on to New Brighton and nearby townships. I visit the Red Location BB for the first time. 

 Tour guide at HDC for future reference

 THE HUNGARIAN GROUP OF 16 PLUS THE TRANSLATOR ZOLTAN OR MR BEAN AS HE IS KNOWN AS.

SANDILE WORKS AT HDC AND TOOK US FOR A BRIEF TOUR OF THE FACILITY.
I then meet Chris the Blunden driver at the Garden Court where we pick up Zozo the Hungarian translator and 16 visitors from Hungary.  We drive to New Brighton. I explain some of the history of this area and Red Location. We then take a walk through the Shacks area; Visit to Stanleys Butchery and Nathaniels Spaza Shop.  A nasty incident as a skollie tries to steal a camera.  No one hurt.  Then on to Chiefs Tavern where I meet his daughter Akona who is studying Tourism.  The group appeared to enjoy the outing and I drop them off at 6pm.

 ADRIENNE IS CURRENTLY AS FIT AS SHE HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TIME.

 MIKE AND PAT RUNNING STRONGLY

DRINKS TIME FOR THE GROUP; ADRIENNE; ANNIE; NEIL; KELLY; LINDI; CHRIS; PAT AND MIKE.  From here I had to turn back to Hobie to get back home in time for a Garden Route Tour.
Saturday Morning. Good to be back on the beachfront run after a long break.  We run Eastwards to avoid the 10k starting at KB.  Up Admiralty.  Kelly and I run around the back and down to the Second Ave filling station where we meet the rest of the group.  On towards LaRoche Drive and left to the Caltex. Here I receive a phone call from Craig to say I have a Garden Route Tour. Kelly and I turn back and down to Hobie beach while the rest continue on to Walmer boulevard.

GARDEN ROUTE TOUR WITH SHATSI; AK AND SK FROM MUMBAI, INDIA

 THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY IS OUR WALK TO THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE.

 SHATSI LOVES TO POSE,  DOING DRESS AND INTERIOR DESIGN WORK AT HOME

SK IS A FUND MANAGER WHEN HOME. THEY WERE A BIT NERVOUS OF THE BRIDGE WALK BUT EVERYONE PARTICIPATED.  IT TURNED OUT TO BE A GREAT WALK.

I pick up SK;  AK (Mother) and Shatsi at the Radisson Blu.  They are from Mumbai, India and on holiday in SA for a short stay.  Today they want a bit of a Garden Route Experience.  We stop off at Jeffreys but this is not the place for a quick stop. Then on to Storms and a walk across the bridge. Then to Storms River Mouth (Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve) where we, after a long photo and Selfie session, walk to the Suspension Bridges.  More Photo's and Selfies and then back to the parking area.  From here we stop briefly at the Bungy jumping but that is not much fun so on to the Bird Sanctuary but Shatsi has sore feet from the walk and we cancel that.  Plett is next but there they are having a music Festival and the beach is blocked off. Finally drop off at Knysna and I drive home.

 ADAM AND CHELSEY AT ZUURKOP LOOKOUT. BEWARE OF LIONS - TODAY WE HAVE TWO SIGHTINGS OF LION - WINDMILL WATER HOLE AND DOMKRAG DAM.
Sunday 20th.  Addo tour with Adam and Chelse.  Have a good start with Elephant and Jackal. Then Lion at Windmill.  Then we see large herds of Elephant throughout the park. And Second Sighting of lion at Domkrag.  Both were lying down with occasional flick of a tail.  Later we see a buffalo fight at Ghwarrie dam.  Overall a good day at Addo. This evening I am on duty at Church.

OUR TOWNSHIP TOUR GROUP -- TOM; DIANA; LISA; GABRIEL AND LINDSEY AND FAMILY OF DIANA.  PLUS TWO LADIES FROM THE RED LOCATION B & B

ANNIE AND NEIL WITH ADRIENNE OUT OF PIC.  MORNING BEACH RUN -- WE JUST AVOIDED THE RAIN.

Monday 21st.  Human Rights Day. 
Cape Town - On 21 March, South Africans officially celebrate Human Rights Day, declared a public holiday in 1994 following the inauguration of former president Nelson Mandela.
While it pays tribute to the tragic events of the Sharpeville massacre, it is also a celebration of South Africa’s constitution, which gives equal rights to all.
Human Rights Day is but one of the many bricks in SA's road to democracy. Here are a few things about our complex past that happened on this day, that you might not know...
1. The Sharpeville massacre took place on Monday, 21 March in 1960 as police opened fire on about 5 000 people who had come to the Sharpeville station to protest pass laws.
2. Some 69 unarmed people were killed and another 180 were injured.
3. The pass law was also humiliatingly referred to as the dom pass and was a particular indignation for black men who had to produce it on demand and could be arrested and detained on the spot if they did not have it on them.
4.  It is believed the movement was initiated by the newly-elected Pan Africanist Congress leader Robert Sobukwe at the time, who called for the stand against the pass law. Sobukwe, a 34-year-old lecturer in African languages at Wits University at the time was leading a march to the Orlando police station when they heard of the massacre at Sharpeville.
5. Also referred to as Heroes' Day, the event marked an awakening across the world to the inhumanity of the apartheid regime, however it also meant the start of the end for peaceful protests against apartheid in South Africa as a few days later on 8 April 1960, the Nationalist Party government, under the premiership of apartheid architect Hendrik Verwoerd, banned the PAC and ANC.
6. Following international sanctions and many years of struggle, with Sobukwe having been detained on Robben Island, released and then banished to Kimberley where he died of cancer reportedly in1970 - the pass law was only revoked in 1986 by then apartheid leader PW Botha.
7. SA's Human Rights Day on 21 March is also the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
8. In stark contrast to the pass law, South Africa's constitution protects individual rights for equality; human dignity;  life; freedom and security; privacy;  freedom of religion, belief and opinion; freedom of expression; freedom of association and a right to education -

Start the morning with a beach front run with Adrienne; Annie and Neil.  Just avoided getting wet.
After a bit of confusion as to what tour I will be doing:  I first go to the  Boarwalk hotel where there is not  a client. Then I collect Lindsey and Gabriel from Ahoy in La Roche Dr. Then we collect a Hired Vehicle from the airport. Meanwhile it is raining and we get wet each time we have to get in or out the vehicle.  Then we collect Tom, Diana and Lisa and three other German family from Hans Heiman's B & B in Cromwell drive.  We do the Township tour starting in Motherwell and Moving to New Brighton, Zwide and Red Location.  Our stops include Spaza shop; Stanley's Butchery and Red Location Museum and the Red Location B & B where Lindsey will be taking a group in July. Our last visit is to Walmer location and then drop back home.  I have the afternoon off to catch up on some admin stuff.
This evening we go to Church and the preacher makes a comment:  Europeans have watches while Africans have time. He talks about the different reactions to stimulus of pain or anticipated pain (Physical, mental or emotional pain) which is controlled by a part of the brain situated just above the spine called the Amygdala -- responses are:  Flee; Fight or Freeze.
Amygdala
Shown in research to perform a primary role in the processing of memory, decision-making, and emotional reactions,

 LION MATING NEAR TO THE WOODLANDS DAM

 LUNCH AT CATTLE BARON WITH CARO AND BARBARA

MELANIE; KATIE; BARBARA; CARO; LISA AND MATTHEUS AT DOMKRAG DAM
Tuesday 22nd.  Pick up 6 people from various accommodation. With Pieter in the VW Bus. Today we have an exceptional day for viewing: Lots of Elephant; Kudu; Hartebees; Pumba and Zebra. But also Cheetah at Arizona; Lion at Woodlands Dam mating; A small family of Meerkat and two herds of Eland Plus a number of Buffalo bulls.
Wednesday -- Rubbish Dump; Hotels visits and reviews with Barbara; Preparation for CT trip.
Thursday 24th.  Drive to Cape Town with a short stop in Plett.  Raining for most of the way. Registration for the race is at CTICC and is done in less than 30 minutes. Stay over in Riebeek Kasteel.  On the way to CT we stop at Albertinia. Here we meet up with Tommy Satchwell and Geoff Roberts who are also on their way to Oceans. Tommy tells me that they are going to be staying with his brother who lives in Riebeek Kasteel. What a coincidence!

GEOFF ROBERTS AND TOMMY SATCHWELL == AT RIEBEEK KASTEEL. BOTH COMPLETED ANOTHER 56K THIS WEEKEND.
Bob Stedman ran his 30th 56k. Andy Bolton ran his 34th and Graham Channon has now run 36 times. Geoff Roberts completed his 17th 56k I think.  So many legends in the Achilles running group.
Friday -- Breakfast at Wicked Treats. Meet Tommy and Geoff.  Barbara and I drive to Cape Town where we stay at Patrick for the night.
Saturday morning -- I am up at 4.20.  Wash and shave and dress for the Oceans 21k.  Its drizzling so I take a long sleeved top.  Walk to the start.  Line up in the Group C.  Wait for our start at 5.50am.  When it is time for our start they play Sho Sholoza and the anthem and finally the three blasts of the Fish Horn. Then the Gun.

LINING UP FOR THE START. WITH A LONG SLEEVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE DRIZZLE.
I run at a reasonable pace.  I have determined to not walk today. So I don't want to run past my ability and jog on and up the hill. The first hill comes just after 1km and continues past 3k.  Down the hill and over the bridge. Here we are at about 7k. Then there is the section where we back track on each other.  I see no one that I know.  But I am concentrating on the run. I see the Sub Two Hour flags behind me and know that they will catch me soon.  I press on past the 7k mark and along the section which leads to the 10k just before Southern Cross drive.  Then up Southern Cross drive for a three k uphill.  I determine to try my hardest to not slow down but I struggle up hills these days. 
So up we go to the 12k mark and here we see the brass band in Green. They are amazing the way they perform for us.  So its over the top to the 8k to go.  Now there is the long section of lousy undulations and bad camber. I battle along this bit but finally we get to the top of the hill.  And the it is the sharp downhill.  We run down and I feel the pain in my calves.  Now there is only about 5k to go.  I know that I have to work hard ; with five kays I am capable of pushing to the end.
So we come to the 3 kays to go, just before the left turn where the traffic lights are. And up the sharp hill.  Then along the straight section and past the second brass band. This is a tough section as you must focus and run hard despite the ups.  I come to the last kay. And again an uphill.  I push on and over the final bit onto the field.  I complete the event in 2.11 and realise that this is where my place is.  I could not have run any faster. The conditions are perfect. This is my 8th Oceans Half. 
We met Stefan's Aunt Maria at the Oceans Expo. She runs her 7th 21k in 2.55.  Lene's mother also ran the 21k -- her first -- in about 2.51.

AT THE END OF TWO OCEANS 21K -- GLAD TO BE FINISHED.

JOHN AT NICKY AND WERNER

 FAMILY LUNCH AT NICKY WITH ZARA; NICKY; WERNER; GRANDAD AND CHRIS

 NICKY; LENE; BARBARA; GRANDAD; ESTELLE; WERNER; CHRIS; JOHN; SAUL; CATHY.
I walk down to the steps and down the steep hill to Main St. This is agony and my calves ache. I phone Barbara but she was not able to meet me as the road is blocked off.  I get a lift for a couple of kays and then walk the last section to where Barbara is waiting for me.  Back to Patrick; shower and leave for Nicky.  Stop at Engen for a coffee and sandwich. Then in Malmesbury for some supplies.
At Nicky we are: Nicky and Werner; Chris; Aaron; Zara and Mia; Saul and Cathy and Blake; Lene and Jessica; Josh and Daniel. Lynette and Gush and their two children. And John.  And Chris and Estelle.  What an amazing family party and gathering!

OLIVE TREES OF THE KLOOVENBERG FARM.

Barbara and I stop to look at some Olive Trees just off the Bothmaskloof Pass. Located on the Kloovenberg farm.  They are dripping with Olives at present.  In two weeks time it is the Olive Festival in Riebeek Kasteel.
Sunday morning - Gush and Lynette slept over in their camper; Nicky and Werner stayed with his parents; Barbara and I slept in Nicky's Room; Cathy, Saul and Blake in one room and Lene and her children in another room. The boys were in their room and up until about 3am. 
Barbara and I drive to Cathy for Sunday night.  Cathy gives me the recipe for her Butternut soup.
Easter Monday -- We leave from Cathy at 9am.  Follow Cathy and Saul to Jacobsbaai.  We get a bit lost and finally find our way to the restaurant where Nicky and Werner & family and Christ & Estelle are waiting. But this restaurant is fully booked. So we stop for a Coffee before continuing to the Backpackers where there is a Fairy Land. 

 JACOBSBAAI WITH SAUL, CATHY, BLAKE AND BARBARA

 JACOBSBAAI BACKPACKERS HAS THIS FAIRY LAND WALK

 THE OWNERS HAVE MADE SOMETHING SPECIAL FROM THIS LAND OF GNOMES

 GOOD LOOK AS WELL AS SOME UGLIES

 FAIRY CASTLES AND SECRET PLACES

 ALL TO BE FOUND WITHIN A ROOM SIZED AREA

 TIETIESBAAI -- JUST CLOSE TO PATERNOSTER -- IS WHERE YOU FIND THE SEEKOMBUIS -- WITH MIA AND ZARA

 OUTSIDE AREA WITH WERNER; ESTELLE AND CHRIS

 CATHY LOOKS DOWN TO THE BEACH WHERE BLAKE IS HAVING A BALL

 ONE OF THE FEATURES IS THE DINGY "TABLES"

TABLES ARE RIGHT ON THE BEACH. NICKY, BARBARA AND CATHY AFTER WE HAVE HAD OUR LUNCH

 VIEW OF SEEKOMBUIS FROM THE ROCKS

IT IS TOM'S BIRTHDAY ON 31st March. JACQUI IS MAKING HIM A SUPERHERO PARTY WITH THOR SHIELD AND HAMMER.

From here we press on to Paternoster and then Tietiesbaai where we find the Seekombuis Restaurant.  Right on the beach. The seating is inside or if you like you can sit in the dingy's outside or just around tables in the sun. It is a perfect day so we sit outside with the Atlantic Ocean in front of us.  So calming and beautiful.  We walk the rocks and beaches before enjoying a delicious seafood platter.
I drive home while Nicky and Werner stop off at a fish shop to buy some Angle Fish for a fish braai this evening.
Meanwhile Lene and family drove home this morning.
Tuesday 29th.  Barbara and I leave for PE from Riebeek at about 6am.  Take the N1 and Robertson road. Cross to Swellendam and then N2 to Albertinia for breakfast sandwich. Past Mossel Bay and stop at Knysna to fill up. Then Storms river for an Ice Cream before last bit to PE. Arrive home at 16.00.

 BUFFALO AT CROSS ROADS -- INJURY TO THE BACK

 CANDELABRA LILY FOUND ALL OVER IN ADDO -- JUST AFTER GOOD RAINS IN MARCH

JORIS; DINAH AND MICHAEL.  TODAY WE WERE CLOSE TO ELEPHANT AT HAPOOR AND ONE OF THEM REDECORATED THE CAR AS SHE SPRAYED HERSELF WITH A MUD BATH.
Wednesday.  Cycle around the Moffet. Builders warehouse and back up Target with Megan.   Addo Tour with Michael;  Dinah and Joris. 
Thursday 31st... Short run with Mike, Lindi and Chris.  Tom's Birthday.  I have a morning Township Tour -- Not very successful.  I did not feel good about my efforts.







Peter Giddy

JACKS PICNIC SITE

 

This picnic spot is named after Jack the black Rhino who spent his last days here. He was often seen sunning himself on the Grassy spot in the center of this area.  Jack was a Black Rhino of the East African subspecies Diceros Bicornis Michaeli and was one of the first Rhino introduced to the park in 1961when he was aged about 5 years
In the early 1960's at a time when Black Rhino was under threat of extinction in South Africa, Black Rhino from Kenya were introduced to the park. By 1986 these East African Rhino had increased to 17.  In 1991, park management decided to follow the IUCNS decision to stock only the subspecies of Rhino indigenous to particular area. Hence from 1991 to 2003 Michaeli Rhino were relocated out of the park and the correct subspecies Diceros Bicornis were reintroduced. 46 Michaeli Rhino were translocated out of Addo
Jack's name was originally JA - A reference to JA Hunter who was responsible for killing over 1000 black rhino in Kenya. JA was renamed Jack by a Park Ranger (Karools Goliath who achieved 34 years of service) as he did not like the original name. Jack could not be translocated out of the park due to a heart condition which meant that he probably would have died if exposed to the stress and tranquilizers used during translocation. On two occasions during a previous immobilisation his heart actually stopped and he had to be resuscitated.
He spent his last days in this botanical reserve. Jack was well over 30 years of age when he died and is one of a few black rhino recorded to have reached his stately age in the wild.

Addo Elephant Park now boasts a successful black Rhino conservation story. The Rhino population is managed as part of a bigger population to ensure genetic diversity by translocating Rhino between National Parks in South Africa and Namibia.

CAPE HONEYSUCKLE

 

WALMER ---- HISTORY

An interesting bit of history about Walmer, a suburb of Port Elizabeth - found on google and thought I'd share!

In 1815 the farm Welbedacht is granted to a Mr A.M Muller.
Located to the south west of Port Elizabeth it covered an area just under 14 square miles.
When Muller died in 1845 his farm was inherited by his 8 sons who, true to form, could not decide on how to sub divide the property.
As a result the farm was sold and the money was distributed to the heirs.
In 1855 the area was transferred to the municipality of Port Elizabeth and renamed Walmer in honour of the Duke of Wellington. Who lived in the Walmer Castle which is located in Kent on the South East Corner of Britain. 

Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, (1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852), was an Anglo-Irish soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of 19th-century Britain. His defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 put him in the top rank of Britain's military heroes. In 2002, he was number 14 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.

After ending his active military career, Wellesley returned to politics. He was twice British prime minister as part of the Tory party: from 1828 to 1830, and for a little less than a month in 1834.  He continued as one of the leading figures in the House of Lords until his retirement and remained Commander-in-Chief of the British Army until his death.
 The area was then laid out and on 8 March 1855, 400 plots were sold by public auction.
A number of stands were also reserved for the Dutch Reformed Church and the Anglican Church.
The village plan included wide streets and a plentiful supply of water.
1856 - The residential township of Walmer is laid out as a separate municipal entity.
1896 - Town Council agrees to the construction of a road to Walmer through Target Kloof.
In 1899, Walmer was awarded separate municipal status while its residential character, spacious residential plots and attractive dwellings attracted both families with young children and the elderly.
Acetylene gas was used for lighting before the electricity came in 1925.
The man of the family was responsible for seeing water was carried in to wet the carbide which produced the gas. The residual ash, or lime, was used to white-wash the buildings.
In the early days Walmer had a large dairy so milk and butter was  delivered every day.
The butcher was further away and his daily deliveries were brought on horseback.
Folk without horses either walked or rode donkeys.
The donkeys of Walmer were charming and full of  character (and a healthy child or two could vouch for the good of the asses milk they were given in times of necessity)
The coming of the train to Walmer was hailed with enthusiasm and Saturday15 December 1906 was the inauguration day.
Everyone was invited to a free ride and it was said 5,000 people sampled the new transport that day in "inclement weather".
Of course some small boys were in heaven as they rode up and down all day, from the station in Humewood along Villiers Road into Water Road to 14th Avenue.
1923 - August, The location for a new Black township of Walmer is approved.
In 1966 Walmer becomes part of Port Elizabeth.

Noem- Neom Jelly;; AMATUNGULU.
Pluck firm, ripe fruits. Wash the fruits and cut them into pieces including the skin. Add just enough water to cover them and cook until soft. Put aside and let it cool for a few hours. Pour through a sift. Measure the liquid.
For every 500ml of liquid add 400g of white sugar. Slowly heat until boiling and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Filter the syrup; don’t press through or else the jelly will be cloudy.
Cook the filtrate at a fairly high temperature, until it jells when a small amount is dropped on a cold saucer. Remove the scum bottle and seal while still warm. 

 

CATHY BUTTERNUT SOUP

Butternut - cooked until soft -- empty butternut into the blender plus a small amount of water.

2 golden delicious apples cut and peeled;

Curry powder & Garlic crush and One full onion in the butternut water cooked to soften; One chicken stock

Blend and serve.

SOME HISTORY OF THE EARLY DAYS OF MILNERTON

Lord Milner was Governor of the Cape Colony 1897 - 1901
He was a British statesman and colonial administrator who played an influential leadership role in the formulation of foreign and domestic policy between the mid-1890s and early 1920s. He was also the key British Empire figure in the events leading up to and following the Anglo-Boer War of 1899–1902

MILNERTON ESTATE COMPANY LIMITED

Notify that they have bought Paarden Eiland and Jan Biesje's Kraal for a Township and intend connecting it with a Railway."

In the same year that saw the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, on October 26, 1897, a meeting took place
of the now-vanished Town Council of Woodstock, in due course to be merged into that of Greater Cape
Town. Before it, awaiting attention, lay a communication from a company, Milnerton Estates Limited,
"notifying the purchase of the properties known as Paarden Island and Jan Biesjes Kraal respectively". The
letter also informed them that it was intended "to layout the estate as a township, to be known as Milnerton
and also to open up railway communications from Cape Town to the centre of the property. . ."
Dominating the news of the day was the arrival in Cape Colony of the new High Commissioner for South
Africa, Sir Alfred Milner (afterwards Lord Milner), for which reason, the promoters of the new venture decided
to embody his name in that of their new enterprise.

The founding of Milnerton Estates Limited, on August 30, 1897, under the Cape Company Act (adopted only
five years previously), reflected a temporary wave of optimism and an urge towards development, which had
been sweeping the whole country as the trauma of the Jameson Raid receded into the background.
 Unlike modern township developers, the fathers of Milnerton began their sales campaign in a manner that
could almost be described as casual. In the weekly journal of Cape Town gossip and politics, the "Owl", on
February 17, 1899, there appeared on the back page a modest advertisement for "46 Plots of Land, near
Milnerton Estates and the Beach", mentioning "Milnerton Estates Company's land which will soon be connected with the Government Suburban Line". Two months later, tenders were called for the construction of
the Milnerton Railway.
 

So far not a single plot had been sold, but on April 7, 1899, appeared a reference to the provision of another

essential amenity, when Langerman was requested to arrange an interview with J. A. Watson, Mayor of
Rondebosch, "in regard to obtaining water from the Steenbras River".
International events were now to affect the affairs of the Milnerton Estates. On October 11, 1899, tension,
which had been steadily building up between the authorities of Britain and the Boer Republics, culminated in
the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War.

Only a few days before, on September 29, the earliest recorded photographs of Milnerton are mentioned, an
amount of six guineas being paid to A. J. Fuller for taking them. Notwithstanding their unique historical value
they do not seem to have survived.
Meanwhile, eager to escape from the oncoming catastrophe, thousands of refugees were streaming down to
the coast from the Goldfields of the Transvaal and elsewhere, aggravating the overcrowding already created
by the demands of the Military.
 

On February 4, the “Cape Argus”, in an historic article, announced: “Perhaps the finest and best-situated estate in the suburbs is that lying between the main line of railway, beyond Salt River Station, and known as the Milnerton Estates. Looking at the property from a distance, or form a passing train, it appears to be quite

infertile waste, in fact, marshy, but on closer inspection, such as was afforded the representatives of the
Press yesterday morning, this impression is altogether dispelled and, instead of a vast stretch of barren land,
one finds an expanse of rich soil, planted advantageously with abundant trees, and irrigated by the river,
which cuts right across it, a land capable of and eminently lending itself to cultivation, development and
improvement.

"As regards the view afforded by the situation, seldom, indeed, is one so striking and artistic. Looking

seawards, the ocean, dotted with craft, stretches far away, until the skies, as it were, fall down as a screen
and shut out a further expanse of rolling, heaving and tossing seas, which one knows is there, yet cannot see.
Turning towards Cape Town one beholds a beautiful panorama of the city, snugly nestling at the foot of the
mighty Mountain, which in its stern grandeur forms a striking background, lovely in its natural ruggedness. In
the far corner one sees the Docks, the masts of the shipping scarcely discernible in the distance, and by them
rise the tops of the higher and more prominent buildings. Looking backwards along the road travelled from
Maitland, the Mountain again presents itself to view, gently led up by the rising slopes, and now standing
alone and unrelieved, its jagged tops lined bold behind the fleecy clouds that dot the blue sky.

"As a residential quarter the Estate possesses the exceptional advantage of being within easy reach of the

city, while lying at the shores of the Bay, almost fringing the ocean, from which the healthy invigorating and
cooling sea breeze is wafted up."