Jan+van+Riebeeck

Johan Anthoniszoon “Jan” van Riebeeck was a Dutch man who founded Cape Town. He was born on April 21, 1619 in the Netherlands. Marie de la Quellerie became his wife on March 28, 1649. The couple had eight children including Abraham van Riebeeck who became the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. He died on January 18, 1677 in Batavia, East Indies.

Jan van Riebeeck joined the Dutch East India company in1639. Within the company, he served at various posts including one as an assistant surgeon in Batavia in the East Indies. He was also head of the post in Tonkin, Indochina. In 1650, van Riebeeck proposed selling the hides of South African animals, and, in 1651, he volunteered to command the project of a new post in South Africa. On April 6, 1652, he landed three ships at future site of Cape Town. This new post was to serve as a restocking center for ships traveling between the Netherlands and East Indies. It would provide more sailors for the ships, as the death toll was very high on the journey. Jan van Riebeeck was Commander of the Cape for ten years. During that period he built a fort called Fort of Good Hope, planted fruits and vegetables, and obtained livestock from the native Khoi people. The plants he brought were important because they continue to be grown there today. van Riebeeck reported the first comet seen from South Africa on December 17, 1652.

Jan van Rienbeck’s picture used to be featured on South African currency until 1993. Many streets and small villages are named after him. One high school is even named after him.