#ThrowbackThursday: Jan van Riebeeck docks at Cape of Good Hope

366 Years ago Jan van Riebeeck docked at the Cape of Good Hope and changed the course of South African history.

April 5, 2018

F.C. Pelser 1 minute read

366 years ago, Jan van Riebeeck docked at the Cape of Good Hope and changed the course of South African history.

Representatives from Old Mutual hand over the new fans.

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Late December 1651, along with his wife and son, van Riebeeck set off from Texel in The Netherlands, after he had signed a contract with the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to set up a refreshment station.

Setting sail on December 25, on the Dromedaris and two other ships, the Rejiger and De Goede Hoop, van Riebeeck was accompanied by 82 men and eight women of the VOC.

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Land was finally sighted on April 5, 1652 and the following day the three ships docked in the Cape of Good Hope.

Picture sourced from pinterest.com: The Castle (Fort) of Good Hope

Within a week of their arrival, they started work on the Fort of Good Hope, with the aim to establish the VOC refreshment station which would supply the crew of the Company’s passing trading ships with provisions, such as fresh food and medical assistance.