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Jan van Riebeeck

Dutch colonial governor (1619-1677) · Netherlands · Politicians · Died at 57

Jan van Riebeeck is read about 226 times a day, in 41 languages.

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He founded the first permanent European settlement at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652, a supply station that became the seed of colonial South Africa.

A life in dates

1677Died18 January 16771656“Hollanders are not a nation to rob another of its property, but desire to live in friendship with all people, and trade with them.”In their wordsJanuary 1656Precis of the Archives of the Cape of Good Hope (c. January 1656 - December 1658), as quoted in Riebeeck's Journal (1897), by H. C. V.

“Be careful in always having a good beacon fire, as the signals entirely depend upon it, that the ships may enter the bay in safety".”In their wordsJanuary 1656Precis of the Archives of the Cape of Good Hope (c. January 1656 - December 1658), as quoted in Riebeeck's Journal (1897), by H. C. V.

“You shall also keep your fires burning if the ships are blown back by contrary winds, but if the ships are foreign or not Dutch (onduitsch) you shall at once extinguish your fire.”In their wordsJanuary 1656Precis of the Archives of the Cape of Good Hope (c. January 1656 - December 1658), as quoted in Riebeeck's Journal (1897), by H. C. V.

1651“That our prosperity may never forget God's mercies shown to us, but always keep them in grateful memory.”In their wordsDecember 1651Precis of the Archives of the Cape of Good Hope (c. December 1651 - December 1653), as quoted in Riebeeck's Journal (1897), by H. C. V.

1619Born21 April 1619

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

In their own words 4

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Jan van Riebeeck
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4 statements, newest first
  1. Hollanders are not a nation to rob another of its property, but desire to live in friendship with all people, and trade with them.

    Jan 1656, Precis of the Archives of the Cape of Good Hope (c. January 1656 - December 1658), as quoted in Riebeeck's Journal (1897), by H. C. V., Own words

  2. Be careful in always having a good beacon fire, as the signals entirely depend upon it, that the ships may enter the bay in safety".

    Jan 1656, Precis of the Archives of the Cape of Good Hope (c. January 1656 - December 1658), as quoted in Riebeeck's Journal (1897), by H. C. V., Own words

  3. You shall also keep your fires burning if the ships are blown back by contrary winds, but if the ships are foreign or not Dutch (onduitsch) you shall at once extinguish your fire.

    Jan 1656, Precis of the Archives of the Cape of Good Hope (c. January 1656 - December 1658), as quoted in Riebeeck's Journal (1897), by H. C. V., Own words

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About this person

Johan Anthoniszoon van Riebeeck was born on 21 April 1619 in the Dutch Republic. A merchant by trade, he entered the service of the Dutch East India Company and in 1652 was appointed the first Commander of the Cape, tasked with establishing a way station for ships rounding Africa. He held that post for a decade, until 1662, overseeing the settlement's early years before moving on to other company positions. Van Riebeeck died on 18 January 1677, having set in motion a colonial presence that would shape the region for centuries.

Country
Netherlands
Category
Politicians
Type
Politician
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1619 to 1677 · aged 57

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