On this day in history: Jan van Riebeeck arrived in Table Bay
The history of the Cape Colony started on 6 April 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck arrived in Table Bay with his three ships, De Reiger, De Drommedaris and De Goede Hoop.
His mission was to establish a refreshment station on behalf of the Dutch East India Company, the V.O.C., where fresh produce could be cultivated to supply Dutch ships on their way to the East with fresh water, vegetables and fruit, meat and medical assistance.
Proper food and medical care were needed to combat the great loss of Dutch East India Company men on the their trade expeditions to the East.
At this time approximately half of all ships’ crews died, mainly from a disease known as scurvy.
Scurvy was a result of the consumption of food preserved in salt and that, over a prolonged period of time, resulted in a lack of Vitamin C.
Van Riebeeck was accompanied by his wife, Maria de la Quellerie, their son, 82 men and 8 women.
The arrival of Van Riebeeck marked the beginning of permanent European settlement in the region.
Van Riebeeck left the Cape of Good Hope on the 6 May 1662.
But who was the man whose face appeared on SA’s old bank notes?
It’s a face that has been immortalised in South African history books, not to mention the paper currency introduced after the country became a republic in 1961.
But it’s a little-known fact that this may not be his face after all. Historians say there are no verified images of South Africa’s first settler. Statues and portraits of him are believed to be artists’ impressions. Historians say there are no verified images of South Africa’s first settler.
It seems that the portrait of Van Riebeeck, a symbol of national pride during the apartheid era, is not of Jan van Riebeeck, but most likely of a Dutch local who never even set foot in the country.
But is it important whether the man on South Africa’s old bank notes was Jan van Riebeeck or not? It’s the face South Africans are familiar with.
The day of Jan Van Riebeeck’s arrival became a public holiday with the 300th anniversary in 1952 and was celebrated as Van Riebeeck Day until 1974.
In 1980 the public holiday was changed to Founder’s Day. The holiday was abolished in 1994 by the democratically elected ANC government.
On a lighter note, South African comedian, Casper de Vries’ take on Jan van Riebeeck. His wife, Maria de la Quellerie is played by Annelisa Weiland.
