Please find below the next instalment on the History of Rondebosch RUSTENBURG (With acknowledgements to the "Cape Times") HISTORY OF A FAMOUS SUBURBAN ESTATE AT RONDEBOSCH To speak of Rondebosch under present-day conditions as being, in the sense in which the phrase is now accepted, "in the country", would be to use a solecism for which there would be no justification. But the term would certainly not have been deemed an inappropriate one during the days when the settlement was first established. The original domain over which the Dutch Commanders held sway extended to within a few miles from van Riebeeck's fort in Table Bay, and civilized life practically centred around that primitive yet indispensable bulwark. The road leading to the district lying at the back of the "Windberg", now Devil's Peak, must, at that period, have been little more than a mere sandy and stone-littered track in summer and a veritable slough of despond in winter. It was chiefly utilized by the clumsy and heavy wagons conveying timber from the mountain forest for building and other purposes, including repairs to the fort, the walls of which frequently collapsed through the action of the heavy winter rains. A journey of five miles by a "road" of this kind may well have been an undertaking which nobody would ever, save when compelled by sheer necessity, have cared to perform. Meanwhile the settlement was growing, and the constant demands of the Company's ships and hospital for fresh vegetables and other supplies had to be met; the garden in Table Valley had its drawbacks, for it had proved inadequate to fill these demands. The fury of the southeasters was the chief cause of such inadequacy, the young plants frequently being either dried up or blown out of the ground. Relief was accordingly sought elsewhere, and happily found. RONDE DOORN BOSSIEN We gather from Theal's Chronicles of Cape Commanders that "it was noticed that even when it was blowing a perfect storm at the Fort, there was nothing but a pleasant breeze back of the Devil's Peak; an attempt to raise grain was accordingly made there. At a place where a round grove of thorn trees was standing giving rise to the name 'Ronde Doom Bossien' (subsequently contracted to 'Rondebosch') a plot of ground was cultivated and some wheat, oats and barley sown as experiment, the results of which were highly gratifying, an abundant harvest being secured." We may imagine the joy with which van Riebeeck recorded in his journal, under date 2 November 1656, the result of an inspection of the new-born lands. He found that not one ear of the ripe barley had been injured by the wind, and that all the other grain was progressing admirably. (When he left Table Valley a heavy south-east gale was raging there.) For protection of the new garden a small redoubt of sod-walls was next erected and garrisoned with a few men. The earliest reference to a substantially-built house there, is found in the Journal, under date 3 February 1657, to the effect that van Riebeeck had ordered bricks to be prepared for that purpose. During the same year the authorities had sanctioned the location of approved parties of freemen at the "Round Thorn Bushes" (also referred to as Hollantson Thuyn-Dutch Garden). The present name Rondebosch is found in a memorial of 1771, as "Het Rondeboschje" In order to show how agriculture was progressing at the Cape at this period, a despatch of 1659 may be quoted. In it the Directors of the Company report receipt of intelligence that "the Cape Residency will henceforth be able to depend upon itself for supplies", also that "some grain has already been exported to Batavia". The fact that gardening operations at the Cape were sometimes hampered by human and insect pests is well shown in a report of 1660, when it is recorded that a number of detected stowaways on the Company's ships in Table Bay had revenged themselves by wantonly destroying everything in the gardens. Stupidity, or worse, was responsible for the non-arrival of a supply of hop plants from Holland in the same year. These, we are told, were "perhaps through ignorance" used on board the vessel for salad! Three years later we read of the progress of the vine at Rondebosch. An official inspection was made by the Commander to ascertain whether the plants were being properly manured and otherwise attended to. In 1669 the vineyard was again so inspected, and found in a flourishing condition. The house previously alluded to is mentioned in despatches of 1663 and 1664, in one of the latter year it is spoken of as "the Company's house lying on the High road at Rondebosch". RUSTENBURG In the records of 1671 we find the earliest mention of the place under the name "Rustenburg". From this time also dates the inception of the use of the house as a summer resort for the Dutch Governors. The Journal informs us that Commander Pieter Hackius visited the Company's pleasure-house, "Rustenburg", to investigate affairs there and "to inhale the fresh country air, which may help in throwing off some of his humours" Three years after this a set-back is recorded, as the Company was found to be suffering a heavy loss on the place. The lands were therefore leased to two approved burghers at a fair annual rental, the pleasure-house alone being retained for the Governor's use, and when not so wanted, for the Secunde's. About 1680 some idea of selling the property seems to have been entertained. This was abandoned, however, for in the same year we are told of its lease to one Bothma for three thousand Cape gulden per annum and two leaguers of good Cape wine. The general progress of agriculture at the Cape in 1690 is well illustrated by the records, which show that the Company was at that time gradually abandoning farming operations, and could depend upon obtaining abundant food supplies from the Colonists. As to Rustenburg, it is recorded that the best vegetables were grown there, the soil being more fertile than that of Table Valley. Strangely enough, an attempt to grow hops there had proved a failure. The vines succeeded admirably; on 31 December 1687, there were 100,000 plants in full bearing in the country garden. The Governor may well have felt pardonable pride in having been able in 1700 to send to Holland a sample shipment of two leaguers of wine produced from the Rustenburg vineyards. A further important use was made of the property as a plantation for oaks. Here, indeed, had been established the very first nursery garden and plantation in South Africa. In 1698, orders had arrived at the Cape from the Home authorities that the forest plantations at Rustenburg were to be well tended in view of the valuable timber obtained thence. Stringent conditions had accordingly been inserted in the lease as to felling of trees. From the Journal of 1699 we learn that on 29 August two wagons were to be sent to Rondebosch to obtain 20,000 young trees for transmission to Stellenbosch and Drakenstein. The very wise decree was at this time enacted that "all spots where trees have been felled, must be replaced with three young trees." Would that this wise rule were in force today! PORTUGUESE OFFICERS But Rustenburg had been used by the Company for other purposes also. In the winter of 1686, certain officers of the wrecked Portuguese ship Nestra Senera de les Milagres were allowed to lodge at the house and draw monthly rations. With the party were some priests who had lost their effects in the same vessel. Others were lodged there too, but in very different circumstances. From a despatch to Batavia in 1708, we gather that the Company's officials "would take good care of the exiled King or ex-Rajah of Tambera, to have no communication with passing ships, especially foreign ships. To cut him off thus, from his countrymen, he is located permanently at the Company's garden Rustenburg, or at the stable, where other Macassarian exiles of courtly rank are located." Special vigilance was exercised to prevent him from writing home. How ardently these wretched captives must have longed to return to that land of spicy breezes and intrigue! Contemporary references to an historic place like Rustenburg are of great interest. Thus wrote Thunberg, the famous botanist and traveller, in 1775: "Besides a handsome house in the Company's garden in town, the Governor also has one at Rondebosch, . . . to which he may retire at times and unbend his mind when oppressed with the cares of State." Mentzel's impression derived in 1783 is somewhat quaint, so far as the derivation of the name Roadebosch is concerned, although his description of the garden and orchards is a very good one. He considered that the fruit trees standing on the boundary, and leaning to the north-west, from the action of the south-east wind, gave the garden a somewhat "round" appearance, hence the name! An event of historical importance occurred at this spot on 16 September 1795. Sluysken, the last Governor in the Company's service, with members of his administration, met the British delegation here, and the Deed of Capitulation of the Colony to Great Britain was duly signed. RUSTENBERG SOLD This brings us to the close of the official chronicle of the property. A few supplementary facts bearing upon its subsequent history may, however, not be considered out of place. The resources of the Company had been at a low ebb towards the close of its rule, and means had to be devised for raising funds. The adjoining "Compagnies Post de Schuur" (later De Groote Schuur) had already passed into private hands, but under the succeeding regime of the Batavian Republic, matters had apparently not improved from a financial standpoint. Hence Rustenburg had perforce to follow suit. We find that in 1803 it became the property of Mr. Jan Hoets (the ancestor of the Cape branch of the family of that name). In 1804 he received a freehold grant to the property, the purchase price being 60,000 gulden (Indian currency), and the extent over 50 morgen. Across the Main Road it was bounded by the Liesbeek River, northwards by Zergvliet and Brandeenburg, and north-westwards by lands of De Schuur. Part of the southern boundary was a strip of Government land between Rustenburg and De Schuur. Portion of a large beacon of Rustenburg was still to be seen a few years ago, near the foot of Highstead Road. The centre stone had the letter "R" deeply cut therein. Mr. Hoets soon set to work improving his property, paying special attention to its gardens, vineyards and orchards. Finding its area somewhat limited according to his ideas, he turned his eyes towards the strip of vacant ground above referred to, for which it may be stated, other parties had already applied. The Land Commission in 1814 had strongly recommended his application, "as no one else can have the smallest right of opposing it", stress being laid upon "the opulence and power of the said Mr Hoets". The Government could scarcely have ignored such very flattering testimony, so we find that in 1821 a title on quitrent tenure, under the hand of Acting-Governor Sir Rufane Donkin, was duly issued. The grant was made on condition "that no wine or liquor shall ever be retailed on the land". By purchase in 1822 from Mr. Anosi, of Lot 4 of De Groote Schuur, and adjoining his newly-made grant, Mr. Hoets' southern boundary was extended to the main avenue of De Groote Schuur, and the area of his property thus exceeded 62 morgen. kind regards Heather Visit South Africa's Premier Genealogy Web Sites www.ancestry.mweb.co.za and www.familytree.co.za Join the Cape Town Family History Society www.ancestors.co.za/society/socweb.htm