EUROPEAN INTEREST IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THE DUTCH SETTLEMENT AT THE CAPE:

A Sketch Map of South Africa showing Dutch settlement by 1652

 1652


REASONS FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF THE DUTCH AT THE

CAPE BY 1652
The Dutch were the first Europeans to permanently settle in S. Africa. At
first (1647), the Dutch never had an intention of settling in South Africa.

They first came at the cape in 1647 after the accidental wreckage of their
ship Haarlem.

In 1652, the Dutch permanently opened a settlement at the cape. They came
in 3 ships known as Goede Hoop, Dromedaris and Rejiger under Jan Van
Riebeck to permanently settle at the cape.

The success of the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean trade attracted the Dutch
to settle at the cape to also engage in trade.
Need to control the spice trade of India and cut off her rival Spain attracted
the Dutch to settle at the Cape to be near India.

The Dutch wanted to use the cape as a resting place for the traders who were
always tired because of the long journey.

Need to carry out trade with the local people like the Khoisan and the Bantu
led to the Dutch settlement at the cape.

St. Helena that for so many years supplied traders with fruits had by the 16 th
century ran short of these fruits, the cape could act as an alternative for the
provision of fruits.

The cape was a mid-way between Europe and Asia and therefore could act
as a suitable resting place.

They wanted the cape to act as a refueling center for their ships that always
travelled long journeys from Europe to Asia.

They also wanted the cape to act as a repairing center for their ships that had
got mechanical problems due to long journeys.

The Dutch wanted to set up hospitals to cater for the health needs of the
traders who always died of malaria and diarrhea during their commercial
journeys.

The good climate (Mediterranean) at the cape also attracted the Dutch to
settle there.

Presence of fertile soils that could favor farming of the Dutch also attracted
them to settle at the cape.

It was strategically located i.e. along the trade route to India which could
favor their control of the trading routes.

The presence of good natural harbors that could favor the anchoring of their
ships also attracted them to settle at the cape.

Need to favorably compete with the British in far eastern trade made them to
settle at the cape to be near Far East.
Need to control trade along the Indian route made them to settle at the cape.

The accidental wreckage of their ship (Haarlem) in 1647 near the cape made
its survivors to settle at the cape.

Reports given by the survivors of Haarlem accident about the suitability of

the cape contributed to the coming of the Dutch.

The cape had a security advantage because of the ocean, so it was

strategically located.
In conclusion, the factors for the coming of the Dutch were mainly
external.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DUTCH COLONY AT THE CAPE

The Dutch settlement began with the accidental breakdown of the Dutch
Haarlem ship in 1647 at Table Bay present day Cape Town.

The survivors discovered many interesting things about the cape of South
Africa.

When they returned to Holland, they gave a good report about the Cape to
the DEICO which thought of establishing of a colony at the Cape.

In 1652, the company sent Jan Van Riebeck with instructions to establish a
Dutch settlement at the Cape.

Jan Van Riebeck arrived on 6th April 1652 with three ships and about 90
people.

These had come in three ships i.e Rejiger, Dromedaris, and Goede Hoop.

Jan Van Riebeck set up a wooden structure or house to act as the

headquarters and also constructed a sick bay or temporary hospital to treat
the sailors and soldiers.

Riebeck’s group also established vegetable and fruit gardens to supply food
to the sailors and soldiers.
In 1657, nine soldiers were released and discharged by the DEICO from
company services to start establishing a colony.

Each soldier was given 13 ½ hectares of land near the valley of River
Liesbeck.

The nine men were allowed to open up their own farms but they were to sell
their produce to the company.

The nine soldiers were not to pay taxes for a period of 12 years to allow
them carryout their activities smoothly.

By 1662, the Dutch colony was still small having about 150 families
producing agricultural output to sell to the company and about the same
number of slaves that had been brought in.

In 1688, the population of the whites at the Cape increased when the
DEICO imported 159 French Protestants known as Huguenots who taught
the Dutch better farming methods.

By 1672, the number of the Dutch farmers had gradually increased leading
to the expansion of the colony.

From 1685, some farmers started moving away from the Cape due to the
harsh company rules and established new settlements or homes like Stellen
Bosch and De‟pearl.

By 1700, the number of the colonists (settlers) at the Cape had increased to
about 1300 people.

By 1707, the Dutch farmers had set up commando units to protect

themselves against the African attacks.

By 1795, the Dutch settlement (colony) had expanded North East and East
wards up to the Great Fish River with districts like Stellen Bosch, Swellen
dam, Graaf Reinet and the Cape.

How did the Dutch establish themselves at the Cape in 1652?

How did the Dutch establish their settlement at the Cape?
In conclusion, the Dutch colony was very strong around the Cape and
loose in upcountry districts such as Swellen Dam.

PROBLEMS FACED BY THE EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS AT THE

CAPE
The Dutch settlers did not find only a bed of roses at the cape, but also some
thorns (problems). These can be seen as below;

Since they were far away from home, they faced home sickness.

They lacked education facilities since the cape had no any school for their
children.

Lack of enough land for settlement that led to low production and reduced
income.

Lack of enough women which led to homosexuality and sexual starvation

among the Dutch men.

Faced a problem of paying high rent to DEICO over land which reduced
their profits.

They were few in number and hence could not protect themselves from
various animals and invaders.

The crops grown at the cape i.e. wheat and barley needed a lot of money that
the Dutch never had.

They faced a problem of inadequate labor force since the natives were not
willing to provide labour.

Lacked enough food due to the refusal of the Natives to provide food this
partly led to famine and starvation.

Lack of enough geographical information; about the cape made the Dutch to
fail, obtain fertile soils, and suitable crops to grow and when to grow them.
Prolonged drought which caused malnutrition, scurvy and general poor
health leading to the death of early settlers.
Lack of a good accommodation, since the Khoisan were majorly living in
caves and temporary huts.

During wet seasons, they suffered from dysentery and other diseases which
led to death.

Due to drought, many natives moved away from the cape looking for good
pasture and water leaving the Dutch with no supplies at the cape.

They faced many obstacles such as forests, rivers, mountains among others
which limited their expansion to the interior at first.

At times, the natives refused to supply Dutch with supplies such as meat,
milk, among other cattle products which became a challenge.

They were barred from growing some profitable crops such as tobacco and
barley by DEICO.

The company (DEICO) also barred them from selling their products to other
companies such as the BSACO, which affected their profit margin.

There was a lot of insecurity at the cape due to spontaneous attacks from the
Khoisan and the Bantu.

Cultivatable land was not enough for the settlers to carry out farming, this
affected their productivity.

They faced constant raids from the Khoisan which increased insecurity at the
cape.

Since most of them were ex-soldiers, they lacked knowledge in farming, this
led to poor yields.

They faced language barrier, therefore, trade with the local people was hard
due to poor communication.

They were always attacked by the wild animals such as bears; lions among
others which destabilized them hence some of them lost their life.
Many company officials were corrupt hence they left the cape undeveloped
leading to poor service delivery.

There was a poor transport network at the cape due to lack of roads and
boats this made it hard to transport their Agricultural produce.

There was poor communication at the cape, leading to homesickness and

delays.

In conclusion, the problems faced by the early Dutch settlers were both
internal and external.

SOLUTIONS TO THE ABOVE PROBLEMS

The above problems were majorly solved by Jan Van Riebeck and DEICO
in the following ways;
Orphan girls were imported from Holland to marry the settlers. This solved
the problem of homosexuality at the cape.

More cultivatable land was brought under use. This increased crop
production at the cape and therefore maximized the profits.

Elementary schools were constructed to cater for education needs of the

settlers at the cape. This solved education problems.

More workers were increased at the cape to reduce labour shortage and
maximize the outputs.

Large water reservoirs were constructed to provide water during drought to

the settlers at the cape.

More men were recruited under Simon Van Destel to provide defense to the
settlers at the cape. This reduced insecurity.

All corrupt governors including Wilhelm Van Destel were dismissed which
contributed to the development of the cape.

Slave labour was introduced to meet labour demands of the settlers. The first
12 slaves arrived in 1657 from Madagascar and Java.
The immigrants were given free land to encourage many of them to settle at
the cape.

A large castle was setup to provide more defense to the settlers. The castle
reduced on the attacks from the Khoisan.

Prices of grain were increased to encourage production and Farmers were

allowed to sell their products to the passing by ships of the traders from
European countries such as Britain.

Setters were allowed to raid and enslave the Africans to reduce on labour
shortage at the cape.

Economic restrictions were by 1670 relaxed to encourage more production.

Intermarriage with the Africans was highly encouraged to reduce on the

shortage of labour and homosexuality; this was in early days of the Dutch
settlement at the cape.

The company gave soft loans to farmers to help them modernize their farms
this increased production.

The cape was expanded up to the fish river to bring more land under use, so
as to solve the problem of shortage of land.

In conclusion, the solutions to Dutch problems were less practical and

that's why the Dutch began to expand up to the Fish River.
COURSE OF CAPE COLONY'S EXPÅNSION UP TO THE FISH
RIVER BY 1795
The expansion from the Cape occurred in the 18thcentury.However note that
the process was disorderly since there was no coordination,
control/directives.

By 1780 the fish river had become the Eastern boundary while by 1778 the
North Eastern boundary was near Jacobus Coetsee.

By 1795 the Dutch colony had a population of about 1500 and had four
districts namely;
Stellenbosch;
Swellendam;
Graaf Reinet and;
Cape,

It should be noted that the purpose of opening up a settlement was to

establish a calling station for ships travelling to the east.

The decision to open up a settlement was taken by the Dutch East Indian
Company.

JAN VAN RIEBECK

Jan van Riebeck was the first governor of the Dutch settlement.

The instruments he received from the company limited what he could do.

His main tasks were:

a)To plan a vegetable garden
b)to make sure a supply of fresh water was available
c)to trade with KhoiKhoi for meat
d) to build a fort.
e) to build a small hospital.

As can be seen in (a)(,b), and (c) were all connected with supplying the
passing ships of the company with fresh food and water.; (e) was so that sick
sailors could be taken of a ship and treated for their illness.

Once they had recovered they would be put on another ship passing the
Cape.

EXPANSION
The Company did not want the colony to expand.

It even thought of cutting a canal to make the cape peninsula an Island.

Jan Van Riebeck planted an almond hedge to show the border of the colony.

In 1657, 9ex -soldiers at ere released from the company service at the cape
and officially opened up a colony at the cape. Each of these soldiers was
given 13.5 acres of land.
The only attempt by the company to build up the colony was to send about
200 French Huguenots (Protestants) to the Cape. The Huguenots had been
expelled from France because of their religious beliefs.

By 1662, the cape had about 120 settlers after the death of their brothers who
had died because of malaria. The Cape by 1662 was therefore still very
small.

The Company tried to set a limit on the expansion of the colony, but as the
population grew it had to extend the boundaries.

New districts were set up as follows: Stellenbosch (1682); Swellendam

(1743); Graaf Reinet (1785).

The colonists settled in areas which were good for farming.

These settlers of the Dutch and French extraction became known as the
Afrikaners or Boers.

In 1676, Verberg a company commissioner began expanding the cape

colony to bring in more land for settlement.

By 1685, there were about 150 families at the cape. The territory was
expanded to 50 miles in radius.

By 1695, the cape had become stronger. Settlers were self-sufficient and
were involving in producing meat and wine.

By 1700, the cape was 55 miles in radius. It later expanded to 100 miles.

By 1705, the company exercised firm control over the cape colony and
greatly taxed farmers.

By 1750, the cape colony had expanded to 255 miles in radius and by1775;
the cape was 500 miles inland.

The colony reached the fish river in 1780. At this time, the cape expanded
easterly and north easterly direction.
By 1795, the colony had four districts ie the district of Stellenbosch was
based in Stellenbosch; the district of GraafReinet was based in Graaf Reinet
and was majorly for farmers, Swellen dam district was based at Swellen dam
majorly comprised of the nomads.

The cape district was the major district and the headquarters of the colony
were at Cape Town.
In conclusion, the expansion of the colony was disorderly and caused
more wars with Africans along the Fish River.
A Sketch Map showing Dutch expansion by 1795.

FACTORS FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE CAPE UP TO THE FISH

RIVER BY 1795,
By 1795 the cape had widely expanded up to the fish river. This was due to
the following;

High taxes imposed over the settlers by DEICO forced the settlers to leave
and move up to the fish river hence contributing to its expansion.

The company lacked power to punish settlers who obtained land beyond the
cape boundaries which always encouraged them to expand.
Existence of large families at the cape created need for more land that
contributed to its expansion.

Presence of a lot of unoccupied land in the interior attracted the settlers to

expand leading to the cape expansion.
Rigid restrictions of the company forced the settlers in the interior
contributing to the expansion of the cape.

Insecurity due to poor land tenure system at the cape forced the settlers into
the interior leading to the expansion of the cape.

Natives were politically weak and disunited which eased the settlers'
expansion from the cape up to the fish river.

Settlers had superior weapons such as guns compared to those of the natives
such as stones this made the expansion of the colony up to Fish River easy.

Low prices of agricultural products at the cape contributed to the movement

of the settlers up to the fish river; thus leading to the expansion of the cape
colony.

The severe small pox of 1713 which hit the KhoiKhoi tamed their resistance
contributing to the expansion of the settlers with a lot of ease.

Movement of the Khoisan to the drier areas of Kalahari Desert which

weakened them hence facilitating the expansion of the settlers up to the fish
river.

Lack of a natural barrier to block the settlers' expansion facilitated the

movement of the early settlers hence contributing to the expansion of the
cape colony.

Some parts of the cape were dry with scanty pasture, the settlers moved
away into the interior leading to cape's expansion.

Need by the settlers to increase on their wealth made them to move into the
interior thenceforward contributing to the cape expansion.
The cape was offering poor farming prospects that forced the settlers to
move away hence contributing to the expansion of the cape colony.

The settlers had become poor at the cape, they moved into the interior to try
their luck.

The Settlers wanted to be independent from the company's control which

made them to move away hence contributing to the expansion of the cape.

The cape's population was increasing at a high rate which forced away some
people to move up to the fish river.

Increased insecurity at the cape made the settlers to move away from the
cape hence contributing to its expansion.

The company was taking away a tenth of the farmer's cattle which annoyed
them and moved into the interior hence expansion of the colony.
In conclusion, the factors for the expansion of the Cape were both internal
and external.

EFFECTS/ RESULTS OF THIS EXPANSION.

The expansion of the Dutch cape colony had both positive and negative
impacts in South Africa as seen below;

Africans were displaced from their areas of settlement by the Dutch settlers,
and they became survivors on the Dutch farms after losing their land to the
settlers.

There was population increase at the cape since the settlers came in large
numbers.

Khoisan lost their hunting grounds to the settlers and were displaced the
drier areas.

Natives most especially the KhoiKhoi lost their grazing fields to the settlers.

Some Africans were absorbed in the Dutch culture i.e they adopted the
Dutch ways of life.
Natives lost their independence to the new settlers and political power rested
in the hands of the governor.

Settlers spread new diseases such as T.B to the natives such diseases were
unheard of in Africa before.

The Dutch raided the farms of Bantu for both food and animals.

The settlers enslaved Africans to work for them on their farms hence
introducing slavery in South Africa.

The Dutch poorly paid Africans who were working for them on their farms
and homes, hence Africans were exploited.

There was outbreak of wars between Bantu and the Dutch especially along
the fish river fighting for land and food.

The settlement of the Dutch tempted Africans to sell their animals and land
for mere alcohol from the settlers.

Dutch set up very strict laws for Africans e.g. Africans were not allowed to
own properties at the cape.

The settlement of the Dutch led to destruction of property such as crops, huts
among others due to Dutch wars of expansion.

Dutch forced African women into sexual intercourse due to their sexual
starvation as a result of women scarcity.

Africans copied the bad habits of the settlers e.g. prostitution, homosexuality
among others.

Many Africans lost their lives during the Dutch wars of expansion.

Settlers hunted down the natives to work for them as if they were animals.

Africans faced famine that was caused by insecurity caused by the Dutch
wars of expansion.
Africans were defeated by the settlers and some were absorbed into Dutch
cultures.

The settlers developed trade both at the cape and in the interior of South
Africa. This was partly due to introduction of monetary economy as opposed
to the barter system in South Africa.
Spread modern farming such as the use of fertilizers, plantation farming
among others in the Interior of South Africa.

Set up good roads in the interior that contributed to its development in

future.

There was intermarriage between the settlers and the natives hence
producing the Coloureds.

New crops were introduced at the cape e.g. tobacco, barley among others.

Africans accessed foreign goods such as clothes, plates, among others which
had been introduced by the Dutch.
In conclusion, the impacts of Dutch expansion were both positive and
negative in the interior.

DUTCH NATURE/ STRUCTURE OF ADMINISTRATION

The Dutch were the first Europeans to settle at the cape. They first reached
the cape in 1647 after the wreckage of their ship. (Haarlem)

In 1652, the Dutch officially settled at the cape and in 1657, the colony was
opened up and the following was its nature of administration;

The cape was under the administration of the Dutch East Indian Company
(DEICO).

The company was under the committee of seventeen Directors

The seventeen Directors formed the council of seventeen. The council of

seventeen was responsible for the control of the company possessions.

Its global headquarters were in Amsterdam Holland and Batavia in Java

(present day Jakarta Indonesia) was the second Headquarters or overseas
administrative center of the council of seventeen.
According to its charter, the appointment of civil and military officers was
the key responsibilities of the council of seventeen.

Besides, the council of 17 was responsible for planning, monitoring and

financing the company business abroad.
All the company's colonies in the east including the cape were under
governor general of the East Indies whose offices were in Batavia in Java.

From 1672 — 1794, the cape was given a local governor. He was assisted by
four organs namely; the council of policy, council of defence, council of
justice and the Dutch reformed church.

The council of policy

The council of policy was headed by the governor general and was the
highest executive organ at the Cape.

The council of policy originally consisted of eight members who were

prominent merchants in the company.

A part from advising the governor, this council played two major roles; it
issued placaaten (regulations) and acted as a high court of appeal.

The council also appointed civil servants such as the lawyers, teachers and
the security guards.

All members on this council were directly sent from Holland.

There was also a council of justice responsible for administering justice at

the Cape.
The council had courts within the Cape colony and as far as the districts of
Swellen dam.

In 1682, there was the establishment of a petty court. The petty court
consisted of two prominent company officials.

These were annually appointed and their major work was to try minor cases.

In each district, there was a magistrate court and each court was under a
magistrate officer who was also a landrost.
The main work of a magistrate was to settle civil and minor cases. However,
the company lacked qualified lawyers and judges.

Worse still, the lawyers were corrupt and accepted bribes.

Matrimonial courts were also set up and their main work was to advise the
young couples intending to marry.

A high court of appeal was to rule out major decisions.

A landrost was appointed for Stellenbosch district. He was to take care of

the company's interests there.

Under the Dutch system of administration, a matrimonial court was set up.
This court was to interview and advise the young intending marriage
partners.

The Dutch had a council of war defense known as krygsraad. The council
was to attend to the defense needs of the setters.

The Cape had a local defense force made up of Boer commandos aged
between 16 and above years.

Later, a large castle was set up to boost the defense of the Cape.

However, it is important to note that the Cape colony was too big to be well
defended and the Dutch security system and was only near the Cape.

There was no clear policy of defending the settlers in the four districts such
as Swellen dam.

In 1689 AD, an official known as the independent fiscal was set up. This
was to supervise the administration of justice and finance.

The Dutch reformed church was another arm of the government at the
cape.
The church was concerned with the cultural life of the settlers.

The church praised the dignity of the Dutch over other races. It was also
concerned with education matters of the settlers.
It preached that S. Africa was their promised land and that the Dutch were to
be the permanent rulers of it.

It also taught that the non- whites (Africans) were born cursed and doomed;
they therefore had only to serve the interests of the Dutch.

The ideas preached by the Dutch reformed church were responsible for the
growth of racism in S. Africa.

The church also controlled the education policy at the Cape. It set up
elementary schools that emphasized reading and writing.

Education was however provided to only the whites and there was lack of
qualified teachers to provide qualified education.

The church also appointed the teachers and the priests.

There was no proper schools/ classrooms where lessons could be carried out.
In 1714 however, the first secondary school was established at the Cape.

Economically, the church emphasized big trade opportunities to be

dominated by only the church.

The church encouraged agriculture mainly among the Boer farmers.

The church also encouraged unity among the Dutch to promote their
nationalism in S. Africa.

It is unfortunate however to note that some magistrates were ignorant of the

law. In fact they could not be in position to tell what law was being broken.
In conclusion, Dutch structure of administration did not cater for the
Africans.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DUTCH EAST INDIAN COMPANY
The Dutch East Indian Company (DEICO) was a company set up by
different Dutch merchants to effectively control spice trade in India.

The company officially took over the cape in 1652 and registered the
following achievements.
It opened up a settlement at the cape in 1652 after giving land to about 130
settlers under Jan Van Riebeck.
It encouraged the Dutch to use African labour to increase on their harvests
which reduced on the labour shortage.

It introduced Christianity at the cape though it was based on the Calvinist

principles which are discriminative.

It also encouraged the Dutch reformed church to foster unity among the
settlers of different districts at the cape.

It worked with the church to set up elementary schools that provided cheap
but quality education to the settlers.

It developed the cape into a calling station from 1652 — 1657 that attracted
many traders to use it.

In 1657, the company welcomed many white settlers from various countries
e.g. Britain to settle at the cape.

The company later accepted the settlers to grow profitable crops such as
tobacco, barley among others which increased their profit margin.

It developed trade at the cape between the settlers and the natives and
between the settlers with the passing by traders from various countries.

It brought more land under use by displacing the Khoisan which increased
on the productivity of the settlers.

The company set up a standing army which catered for defense needs of the
settlers against the natives such as the Khoisan and the Bantu.

It also constructed a large water reservoir to help settlers during drought and
this promoted farming.

The company imported girls from Holland which reduced on homosexuality

among settlers at the cape.
Also encouraged intermarriage between the settlers and the natives which
reduced on the problem of homosexuality. This led to the birth of half casts
at the cape.
It reorganized the cape into four districts i.e. GraafReinet, the cape, Swellen
dam and Stellen Bosch.

It also constructed a large hospital at the cape to cater for the health needs of
the settlers and the passing by traders.

In conclusion, the achievements of DEICO transformed the Cape into a

calling station and full colony.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND FAILURES OF JAN VAN RIEBECK

Jan Van Riebeck was born on 21st. April. 1619. He was born in Culemborg,
Holland.

He was the leader of the first Dutch settlers at the cape who were about 90 in
number and came in three ships i.e. Goede Hoop, Dromedaris and Rejiger.

On 6th April 1652, he made the first official landing at the Table Bay with
about 90 settlers i.e 82 men and 8women.

He was the head (commander) of the cape from 1652 -1662.

He set up a strong fort of 70 soldiers on the Cape of Good Hope which

strengthened the defense of the area. He also strengthened security by
conscripting colonists into the cape army.

He put in place a wooden hospital which catered for the health needs of the
settlers and the passing by traders.

He set up large vegetable gardens which provided quick food to the settlers
and the passing by traders.

He also established large farms of sheep, cattle and goats to provide meat to
the settlers and the passing by traders.

In 1657, he was instrumental in transforming the cape into a colony together

with 9 ex-soldiers from the company.
He imported slaves from Madagascar, Java and West Africa who reduced on
the labor shortage at the cape.
He encouraged DEICO to provide tax holidays to farmers which attracted
many Dutch to come at the cape.

He set men free from the company control and declared them colonists
which increased on their productivity.

He gave the colonists 13.5 acres of land in the valley of river Liesbeck
which also increased on their productivity, and encouraged more settlers to
come to South Africa which led to the cape's expansion.

He set up a 20 years limit to the settlers before returning to Europe which

made them to make the cape their permanent settlement.

Encouraged the natives (Khoisan) to trade with the settlers hence ensuring
supplies such as meat.

He struggled to expand the cape colony to bring in more land under use this
increased productivity of the settlers.
FAILURES
He kept low prices for the settlers' produce which demotivated them and
slowed down production.

He encouraged the enslavement of the Africans which sowed grounds for

enmity between the natives and the settlers.

He forced the settlers to provide free military services which undermined

their rights.

He mostly failed to solve farmers' problems especially the education and the
health needs of the farmers.

During his time, there was a lot of corruption from different company
officials this undermined development of the cape.

He forced farmers to surrender a tenth of their cattle to the company for

mere pasture which reduced on their productivity and profits.
He kept the settlers in captivity at the cape for a period of 20 years which
increased their home sickness.

He failed to repulse constant raids of the Khoisan until his resignation in

1662, when he went back to Jakarta to join his family from where he died in
1677 as a satisfied man.
In conclusion, J. V. Riebeck organized the Cape into an organized
settlement.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF SIMON VAN DESTEL 1679- 1699

Simon was born in Mauritius on 14th October 1639 to Adrian Van Der Stel
and his mother was an Indian girl Maria Lievens.

Van Der Stel was the cape 10th commander from 1679-1699 after Hendrick
Crudop.

During his period, the company had two major districts of the cape and
Stellen Bosch.

He is remembered for his endeavors to solve the socio-economic problems

of the company at the cape.

He relaxed the company's laws that encouraged many settlers to come at the
cape. He also encouraged more migrants to come and settle at the Cape.

He also played a significant role in the changing of the cape from a mere
settlement to a full colony.

Simon gave large pieces of free land to the settlers which encouraged them
to settle at the cape.

Simon established the court of Heemraden to promote law and order in the
district of Stellen Bosch in 1682.

Simon expanded the colony to meet the increasing population of the Cape.

He also encouraged many company officials to resign and become

commercial farmers at the cape.
Simon built the first largest Church in Stellen Bosch in 1687.

Simon also imported orphaned girls from Holland to solve the problem of
women scarcity at the cape.

Due to his relaxed laws, the population at the cape increased.

He also allowed the French Huegnots to settle at the cape and advised the
farmers on better farming methods.

He introduced farming reforms, and by 1700 food production had increased

and food prices had reduced.
FAILURES
His agricultural reforms led to over production of crops at the Cape that
contributed to the down fall of prices which discouraged farmers.

He did nothing when food prices went too low yet he had all the powers to
decide the course.

He did not do much to relax the strict company laws that led to the migration
of the settlers into the interior.

Worse still, he encouraged his son to succeed him as a governor although he

knew that he was corrupt and therefore lacked reasoning. He retired in 1699
and was succeeded by his son Wihelm Van Der Stel as a governor at the
cape.
In conclusion, the achievements of S. V. Destel transformed the Cape into
a colony.
WIHELM ADRIAN VAN DER STEL (1699-1707)
Wihelm became the governor in 1699 succeeding his father Simon as the
cape governor.

He was highly educated and had better academic records better than even his
father Simon.

He was born in Batavia (Java) and became an official of DEICO in Asia. He

spent most of his youthful years in DEICO services.
rd
He swore in as the governor of the cape colony on 23 January 1699 by his
father Simon.
In his first years of rule, Wihelm carried on a policy of expansion of the cape
further into the interior.

He also expanded the cape's wool industry.

He also finished the construction of the castle whose construction had begun
as early as 2nd January 1662 by Jan Van Riebeck and he completed it in
1702.

In the beginning of the 18th century, Wihelm built a large water reservoir to
cater for the farmers' activities during drought.

He allowed farmers to obtain land on credit which boosted agriculture.

In 1705, Wihelm built the first largest hospital at the cape to replace the
temporary wooden clinics of J. V. Riebeck.

He also established the district of Tulbagh after chasing the Khoisan from
the frontier of the cape colony in north.

He is remembered for constructing many elementary schools at the cape that

promoted education.
FAILURES
Unlike his father, Wihelm was very corrupt and practiced nepotism in his
administration.

He is blamed for using his co- workers to develop his personal farms which
violated the company laws.

He also asked for bribes in form of cattle and sheep from farmers to win
favors.

He allocated large pieces of land to his family members and his personal
friends which also violated the company laws.

He also never allowed the Boers to trade directly with the Europeans in wine
and other profitable goods.
He never allowed the Boer farmers to grow profitable crops such as tobacco
and barley.

He encouraged the enslavement of Africans leading to the suffering and

misery of the blacks.

He bent his administration on quick money and wealth and eventually he

was dismissed by his bosses because of his greed for money.
In conclusion, V. D. Stel promoted corruption at the Cape.

FACTORS FOR THE DECLINE OF DUTCH ADMINISTRATION AT

THE CAPE IN 1795
The Dutch lost the control of the cape in 1795 to the British and this was
due to the following reasons;

The settlers lacked a good will for the company's rule due to its restrictions
on them.

Rebellions and strikes among the settlers at the cape retarded the growth and
development of the cape.

DEICO diverted money meant for commerce to administration which left

the cape economically weak.

Determination of the British to take over the cape due to its suitability
contributed to the British settlement at the cape hence the collapse of the
company's rule by 1795.

Increased competition from both the French and the British in the Indian
Ocean trade partly led to the collapse of the company rule.

Continuous African attacks on the colonists especially from the Xhosa and
the KhoiKhoi partly led to the collapse of the company.

The outbreak of rebellions from the settlers such as in the districts of

Swellen dam and Stellen Bosch partly led to the downfall of the
company.

The Burghers constantly accused their landrost of misrule, corruption and

deteriorating social and economic conditions which weakened the company.
Napoleonic wars had diverted Holland's finance from supporting the cape to
fighting Napoleon.

The company had an accumulated debt burden of about 10 million pounds

which weakened it leading to its collapse.

The company's failure to pay the salaries of its employees also partly led to
its collapse.

Sectarianism and nepotism practiced by the company officials especially

Van Der Stel partly led to its collapse.

The company had strict laws such as restricting the colonists from growing
the profitable crops also led to the collapse of the company.

Transfer of European financial center from Amsterdam to London left

Holland with no money to run the cape.

Disunity among the Dutch i.e. settlers and company's officials retarded the
growth and development of the cape contributing to its collapse.

Failure of the company to protect its people forced most of them to move
away leading to the collapse of the company rule.

The company's acquisition of colonies in the East Indies which became

expensive to govern them all led to its collapse.

Corruption of the company's officials at the cape weakened its

administration leading to the collapse of the company.

Most officials were incompetent who failed to economically and politically

strengthen the cape contributing to their collapse.

The brutality of the company's officials forced many settlers away leading to
the collapse of the company.

Total weakness of Dutch government at home laid ground for the collapse of
the company at the cape.
The outbreak of the French revolution and Napoleonic wars disorganized
Holland and partly contributed to the collapse of the company.

Declaration of the bankruptcy by the company in 1795 was the last blow to
its existence at the cape.

Due to financial crisis of the company, it overtaxed the settlers which forced
them away contributing to its collapse.

The company had a disorganized administration which disorganized its work

contributing to its collapse by 1795.

The company lacked enough capital to run the cape after its bankruptcy in
1795.

Britain’s domination of all the commercial lanes especially between Europe

and Asia also partly contributed to the collapse of the company.

The company had failed to set up a dependable source of income.

Technological developments in England such as the manufacturing of the

faster moving ships gave an upper hand to the British over the Boers leading
to the collapse of the company.

The request of King William of Holland; for Britain to take over the cape
such that Napoleon does not conquer it.
In conclusion, the collapse of Dutch control was due to political, social
and economic factors.