Who was Jan van Riebeeck? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Johan Anthoniszoon van Riebeeck

Died At Age: 57

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Maria de la Quellerie (1649–1664; her death), Maria Scipio (1667–1677; his death)

father: Anthony Jansz Van Riebeeck

mother: Elisabeth Govertsdr Van Gaesbeeck

siblings: Geertruyd

children: Abraham van Riebeeck

Dutch Men Male Leaders

Died on: January 18, 1677

place of death: Jakarta

Founder/Co-Founder: Cape Town

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1

Why is Jan van Riebeeck important in South African history?

Jan van Riebeeck was the founder of Cape Town and played a significant role in the establishment of the Dutch colony in South Africa.
2

What impact did Jan van Riebeeck have on the indigenous Khoikhoi people?

Jan van Riebeeck's arrival in South Africa led to conflicts with the Khoikhoi people over land and resources, ultimately resulting in the displacement and marginalization of the indigenous population.
3

How did Jan van Riebeeck's actions contribute to the legacy of apartheid in South Africa?

Jan van Riebeeck's establishment of the Dutch colony laid the foundation for the discriminatory apartheid policies that were later implemented in South Africa, perpetuating racial segregation and inequality.
4

What were Jan van Riebeeck's motivations for establishing a settlement in the Cape of Good Hope?

Jan van Riebeeck's primary motivations for establishing a settlement at the Cape of Good Hope were to establish a refreshment station for the Dutch East India Company's ships and to expand Dutch trade routes.
5

What were some of the challenges faced by Jan van Riebeeck during his time in South Africa?

Jan van Riebeeck faced challenges such as conflicts with indigenous populations, harsh living conditions, and difficulties in establishing a sustainable settlement in the Cape of Good Hope.

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Childhood & Early Life

Jan Van Riebeeck was born Johna Anthoniszoon Van Riebeeck, in Culemborg, the Netherlands, on April 21st, 1619 to Anthony Jansz Van Riebeeck and Elisabeth Govertsdr Van Gaesbeeck. He had one younger sibling, a brother named Geertruyd.

Van Riebeeck was the son of a surgeon. Learning his craft from his father, he later became an assistant surgeon in 1639.

He was raised in Schiedam, where he met his wife, Maria de la Quellerie. They were married on March 28th, 1649. He was 30 years old at the time of the marriage; she was 19.

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Career

Van Riebeeck joined the ‘Dutch-East India Company’ in 1639. His first assignment was to sail to Batavia as an assistant surgeon.

In 1645, after a successful posting in Batavia, he was placed in charge of the company’s trading station located in Tongkin (now Tonkin Vietnam). After it was discovered that he was trading for his own profit and gain, he was later removed from his position and was ordered to return home.

On his return trip, his ship was docked for 18 days in Table Bay, South Africa. He quickly realized that the cape was a terrific place to furnish passing ships with produce and clean water, which would help minimize the crew fatalities due to scurvy.

In 1651, the ‘Dutch-East India Company’ appointed Van Riebeeck to establish the first Dutch settlement in Africa.

He returned to the southern point of Africa on April 6th, 1652 with three ships, the Reijer, the Dromedaris, and the Goede Hoop. The Walvisch and the Oliphant landed shortly after, having buried 130 crew members at sea.

He was commander of the settlement from 1652 to 1662. During this time, the settlement grew from 82 men and 8 women to 134 officials, 35 free burghers, 15 women, 22 children and 180 slaves.

After leaving the Cape, he was promoted to the position of Secretary to the Governor-General of the Dutch-East Indies. He remained in this position from 1665-1677.

Major Works

During the voyage to the Cape, Van Riebeeck created the Council of Policy which held meetings upon the Dromedaris. The meeting minutes, dated December of 1651, are said to be the beginning of written public records in South Africa as the indigenous people had no written culture.

In 1658, he began a monumental tradition by banishing a local translator named Autshumato to Robben Island for committing crimes against the ‘Dutch-East India Company.’ This island continued to house many political prisoners throughout the years, including Nelson Mandela.

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His journal, entitled ‘Precis of the Archives of the Cape of Good Hope,’ was published in both English and Dutch. The journal, commonly known as ‘Riebeeck’s journal’, was a three volume daily record of the ‘Dutch-East India Company’s’ South African trading station. The journal documents the period of 1652–1655.

Awards & Achievements

April 6th used to be known as ‘Van Riebeeck’s Day’. This was later changed to ‘Founders’ Day’ before being eliminated altogether by the ANC government during democratic elections taking place in 1994.

Once deemed the Founding Father of the nation, his image adorned paper currency and many stamps during the 1940s up until 1993. During this time, the currency was changed to non-political designs by the South African Reserve Bank.

Cape Town’s Coat of Arms, which was put in place during British rule in 1869, held a tribute to the Founding Father of the Cape. Designer Charles Fairbridge mimicked the three gold rings of Riebeeck’s own Coat of Arms within his commissioned drawing.

Personal Life & Legacy

He fathered eight children in his lifetime; many of which did not survive infancy. His first son, Abraham, went on to become Governor-General of the East Indies.

His first wife, Maria de la Quellerie, died in Malacca in 1664 at age 34. She had been en route to her husband’s final assignment.

On March 10, 1667, he remarried Maria Scipio. They remained married until his death.

He died on 18 January 1677, at the age 58, in Batavia (present day Jakarta).

Facts About Jan van Riebeeck

Jan van Riebeeck, the founder of Cape Town, was a skilled gardener and botanist. He introduced various plant species to the Cape region, some of which are still prominent in South African gardens today.

Van Riebeeck was known for his meticulous record-keeping and kept detailed journals documenting his experiences and observations in the Cape. These journals provide valuable insights into the early days of European settlement in the region.

Despite his reputation as a strict administrator, Van Riebeeck had a softer side and was known to be a loving husband and father. He often wrote affectionate letters to his wife, Maria, expressing his devotion to her and their children.

Van Riebeeck was a polyglot, fluent in multiple languages including Dutch, Portuguese, and Malay. This linguistic ability helped him communicate effectively with the diverse population of the Cape during his time as commander of the Dutch East India Company.

In addition to his role in establishing Cape Town as a supply station for Dutch ships, Van Riebeeck also played a key role in promoting trade and agriculture in the region. He encouraged the cultivation of crops such as wheat, grapes, and vegetables, laying the foundation for the agricultural industry in the Cape.

Jan van Riebeeck Biography

You wanted to know

Why is Jan van Riebeeck important in South African history?

What impact did Jan van Riebeeck have on the indigenous Khoikhoi people?

How did Jan van Riebeeck's actions contribute to the legacy of apartheid in South Africa?

What were Jan van Riebeeck's motivations for establishing a settlement in the Cape of Good Hope?

What were some of the challenges faced by Jan van Riebeeck during his time in South Africa?