The history of South Africa part 2

The Dutch are coming the Dutch are coming…1652

So round about 1647 the Dutch started getting interested in the Cape of Good Hope there was a great two and frowning about if they should build a refreshment station there  eventually after about five years they decided to do so they chose as the commander a former merchant of the Dutch East India company (also known as Jan company and the VOC short for Verinecter Oosteter Indsher Comapnjie) Here after referred to as the company  Well the states general the highest authority in the land decided to build a refreshment station this was of course after the Lords seventeen had voted that there should be a way station to provide fresh veggies cattle and sheep for ships passing from the far east to Europe and vice versa.

The former merchant Jan Antozoen Van Riebeeck had formally been in the employ of the company but had been busted for corruption nothing new there South Africa has known a long line of corrupt leaders guess he was just playing his part what no bribe for the commander? He enquired from a passing ship.

So on the 6^th of April 1652 Van Reibeeck and company arrived in table bay he had to wait a day for the last of his three ships to arrive the 7^th been a Sunday no one went ashore must have made Herry mad with anxiety why aren’t they coming ashore he wondered? He did not have long to wait bright and early the boats set out for shore there was Herry all existed here they come help them ashore stand aside there let me help the commander Hello My name is Herry I have plenty of cattle and sheep to sell to you I see you have bright and shiny objects Yes we will take copper bangles and Axes and any sort of metal yes we will relieve them from you in a minute just wait don’t push you there help me cut off the button s from the commanders coat.

Any way old Jan claimed this land for the company this time Herry allowed him to do it these white guys have shiny things we can kill them later  any way the first day there was a back and forth between the shore and the three ships unloading of all the goods putting up the tens and building of huts. Look Jan cried Mrs. Van Reibeeck that one is wearing no cloths hehehe look at his funny bits.” “Ja I saw that don’t look Maria it is not polite to look over long at there funny bits said he.

Anyway they began working on the fort bang, bang went the hammer on the nail pass me the nails please Herry oh that’s strange there’s none left oh well lets have sit down and smoke a pipe.

 By the end of the first month there was a bit of a fort the ships were getting ready to leave the first settlers at the Cape were not your typical group they  there were only about three woman and fifty seven woman. We need to get the men’s minds off the woman thought Jan as he bid the Captains of the three ships The Dromedaries the Rieger and the Goed Hope. Well good bye captain have a good trip to Batavia please bring me back a couple of women for our hard working men.

So the men contented themselves with growing veggies battering sheep and cattle which Herry and his gang would steel back at the first opportunity. Old Jan sighed it is all very inconvenient buying cattle only to have to buy them again next week. Maria remind me to have a word with Herry about his peoples stealing I wonder if I can shoot a few of them let me check my orders from the company said he as he unrolled his scroll of orders Inhabitants … Oh here we go Inhabitants may not be shot you are to remain on the best of terms with the Hottentots living in peace harmony and fidelity. Oh dear that wont do muttered old Jan.

So there was one man playing herdsman to the dwindling supply of Sheep and cattle when a fleet arrived from Batavia. Hooray, Hooray they have come back soon there was a big party here have some wine commander, you must try our Lamb Breede (stew) excellent quite nice your view from the fort but why is it not complete Van Reibeeck??”

Oh well umm you see my men are quite tired they have been working quite hard and with Herry stealing our cattle it is quite hard You don’t think you might be able to lend me a few of your men Commander??

No Jan I don’t think so maybe I can give you some rice and ship store maybe some salt pork and beef but my men need to rest sorry Jan said the commander with an apologetic smile.

Oh well guess I will have to get my men back to work then said Old Jan knowing that he was in a whole heap of trouble.