Timeline of Afrikaner History from 1652

This timeline traces the key events of Afrikaner history, beginning with the Dutch arrival in the Cape Colony.

Year Events
1652
  • 6 April: Jan van Riebeeck arrives at Table Bay with ~90 settlers to establish a VOC refreshment station.
  • 7 April: Construction of Fort de Goede Hoop begins using mud, clay, and timber; trade with Khoekhoe starts.
  • May to August: First winter brings severe challenges, including storms, crop destruction, and 19 settler deaths.
  • Year-long: Van Riebeeck plants gardens along the Liesbeek River, sowing wheat, barley, and vegetables.
1653
  • Year-long: Fort de Goede Hoop is completed, a pentagonal structure with four bastions.
  • Year-long: Agricultural expansion continues with fruit trees and crops like oats planted.
  • Year-long: Tensions rise in Khoekhoe trade due to unequal exchanges.
1654
  • Year-long: Near starvation prompts the VOC to consider releasing employees as free farmers.
  • Year-long: Khoekhoe trade tensions increase as Dutch expansion encroaches on grazing lands.
  • Year-long: Settlement efforts focus on stabilizing agriculture and fortifying the fort.
1655
  • Year-long: First coast vessel, built from Cape timber, is launched for trade and exploration.
  • Year-long: Settlement grows with farming at Groenevelt and Rondebosch under VOC control.
  • Year-long: Khoekhoe relations remain strained with disputes over land use.
1656
  • 3 January: Fire seen on Robben Island, suspected to be ships or trouble; Robbejacht sent but returns due to stormy weather.
  • 5 January: Robbejacht sent to Robben Island with 36 sheep, instructed to proceed to Dassen Island.
  • 10 January: Herry arrives at the fort, expresses fear due to garrison hostility; Van Riebeeck reassures him.
  • 11 January: First brick kiln produces 40,000 bricks, strengthening fort infrastructure.
  • 12 January: Herry inspects fort walls and kraals, warns of Saldanhar threat to cattle; hunters monitor his camp.
  • 17 January: Pasture scarcity forces cattle slaughter; two soldiers punished for garden theft with 6 months in chains.
  • 21 January: Sailor Marten Jansz of Oostzaan dies, left sick from a VOC ship.
  • 24–25 January: Boat returns from Robben Island, reports favorable conditions; larger boat sent with provisions.
  • 26 January: Galiot Nachtglas arrives from Tristan da Cunha, confirming unsuitable conditions.
  • 27 January: Nachtglas reports; English smack Arosia sighted at Dassen Island.
  • 1–2 February: English vessel Arosia arrives with ill captain; provided water and vegetables.
  • 4 February: Van Riebeeck explores False Bay for canal feasibility, deems it impractical.
  • 5–12 February: English captain visits, shares Portuguese trade intelligence; kiln fired with 250,000 bricks.
  • 6–9 February: English captain shares intelligence on Portuguese trade at Mozambique and Madagascar, suggesting VOC disruption.
  • 13–19 February: English captain’s crew issues delay departure; search for runaways initiated with Hottentot assistance.
  • 20 February: Van Riebeeck’s youngest child dies.
  • 21 February: Nachtglas returns with 400 skins from Saldanha Bay; French ship St. George reports interactions.
  • Year-long: Ongoing fort maintenance, agriculture, and trade with Khoekhoe, including Herry and Eva.
1657
  • 21 February: VOC grants “vrybrieve” to nine employees, creating the first Vryburgers farming in Rondebosch.
  • Year-long: Unequal Khoekhoe trade practices continue, straining relations.
  • Year-long: Vryburger farming begins, focusing on wheat and vegetables under VOC control.
1658
  • 28 March: First slaves arrive on the Amersfoort, marking the start of slavery at the Cape.
  • Year-long: A Dutch settler marries a freed Indian slave girl, the first recorded mixed marriage.
  • Year-long: A school opens for slaves, later serving indigenous and Vryburger children.
  • 16–18 December: Boat sent to Robben Island with timber; Van Riebeeck fixes sites for stables and battery.
  • 19 December: Van Riebeeck returns, buys 4 sheep from Caapmen.
  • 20 December: Vryburgers submit a petition demanding better prices and trade rights.
  • 21–22 December: Van Riebeeck inspects corn lands, noting reaping and sowing; boat takes fuel and timber to Robben Island.
  • 23 December: Van Riebeeck addresses the petition, warns against rebellion, promises to advocate for prices.
  • 24–26 December: Christmas observed; boat to Robben Island loses lee-boards.
  • 27 December: Vryburger arms and cattle inspected; boat sent to Robben Island with supplies.
  • 27 December: Five geese and 1 muid of oats sent to Robben Island for sowing, as geese damage mainland gardens.
  • 29 December: Death of Jacob Teuniss, mate, leaving debts.
  • 30 December: 23 sheep bought from Cochouquas; Eva reports Oedasoa’s lion attack.
  • 31 December: Eva arrives with Cochouquas, shares Oedasoa’s condition and religious interests.

For a complete list of sources, see the References page.

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