Jan Van Riebeeck is a great father figure in South African history.
He was born at Culemborg, Holland in 1619 and at 21 joined the Dutch East India Company as an assistant surgeon.
He was sent to Batavia,where he changed his occupation to assistant clerk.
He was recalled to Holland in 1648 after trouble about his involvement in private trading.
He left the company , married Maria de la Queillerie and embarked on several private trading voyages to Greenland and the West Indies.
His relationship with the Dutch East India Company had remained cordial , and in 1651 he accepted the leadership of a proposed settlement at the Cape.
With his wife and infant son he boarded the flagship 'Drommedaris' and sailed from Holland on 24 December 1651, accompanied by the 'Reyger' and the 'Goede Hoop'.
The three ships made a quick voyage for those times.
On 5 April 1652 Table Mountain loomed into view over the horizon.
Usually it took at least 120 days to reach the Cape from Europe, but the three ships had completed the voyage in 104 days with the deaths of only two people,and little serious sickness.
Just before sunset of the next day the three ships entered Table Bay.It was empty and calm.
The next day Van Riebeeck went ashore to select the sites of a fort and vegetable garden.
He worked diligently and soon passing seamen were able to replenish supplies in plenty.
Cape Town was established as "The Tavern of the Seas".
He was promoted to commander in 1654 and remained as the head of the settlement until 7 May 1662, when he was again transferred to Batavia.
His wife died there and he remarried.
He eventually became secretary of the Council of India and died in 1677.
Always hoping for higher rank,he had never realized that his place in history was assured as the founder of the settlement at the Cape, and that it was to be in South Africa where he would be most honoured.
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on Nov 20, 2003
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