HISTORY TASK 13 Topic: Colonisation of the Cape Grade: 7

Presented By: Mrs Sunichur Pitlochry Primary School Educator INTRODUCTION

In this task we will review and do corrections of Activity 3.3 and 3.4 from Task 12. We will look at why, how and from where slaves were brought to the Cape. We will also study what it was like to be a slave at the Cape Answers to Activity3.3

1.a. The sailors were dying of scurvy. b. Fresh fruit and vegetables could be grown for the sailors at the Cape. (2) 2. Three good things that the sailors from the “Haerlem” said they had found at the Cape were: • plenty of water • fertile land • lots of wild animals (3) 3. The VOC station at the Cape was called a “halfway” station because it was halfway between Europe and India and it provided fresh food for the sailors. (1) 4. THe sailors from the “Haerlem” probably did not give any reports about the Khou-khoi Nd San living at the Cape. (2)

Answers to Activity 3.4

1. The VOC and the Khoi-khoi understood the use of land differently in that the idea of private ownership of land was not part of Khoi-khoi culture. (2) 2. The first step towards the colonisation of by the Dutch and the English was 'the establishment of a halfway station at the Cape because it brought the Dutch to the Cape.(2) 3. Jan van Riebeeck's face was displayed on South African money from the 1940's up until 1993 because he was recognised as the person who established the and was commander of the Cape from 1652 - 1662 (2) Answers to Activity 3.4 continued

4. The VOC decided to allow because disease and harsh weather had forced Van Riebeeck to ask for extra food supplies. He told the company that larger farms were neded on which to grow food. In response, the VOC released a few company members from their five year contracts and permitted them to move into the interior of the Cape to set up large farms from which they would supply the VOC settlement. (2) 5. If you had been in Jan van Riebeeck's position, how would you have explained to the first Free Burgher what you expected of him? Three sentences should include, vegetables for the ship, fresh meat for the sailors and that they were allowed to sell only to the VOC at their set prices. (6) KEYWORDS

• craftsmen: people skilled in crafts such as woodcarving or stonework

• artisans: skilled workers, for example builders, plumbers, painters or electricians

• taverns: places where sailors could eat, drink and stay

• jetty: a structure built out into the sea or other expanse of water enabling ships or boats to moor SUMMARY Why slaves were brought to the Cape

Van Riebeeck was unable to produce enough food for the passing ships. So in 1657, nine company workers were sent to establish independent farms. By 1658 there were 11 Free Burghers farming around the area now known as Rondebosch. Traditionally, the Khoi-khoi had used this land for grazing their cattle. There was constant conflict over the use of land between the indigenous people and the new Dutch farmers . Van Riebeeck had a large project on his hands. He had to get timber from Hout Bay and build, a big garden, a fort, watch towers, roads, a jetty as well as housing for workers and soldiers. The decision to introduce slavery would have a big impact on life in the Cape for many years to come. Jan van Riebeeck wrote the following in his diary: “ I don't want to use our soldiers and sailors for agricultural work and seal-catching. Its too expensive. The locals don't want to work for us. It would be much better for slaves to be brought here.” SUMMARY How slaves were brought to the Cape and where they came from Most of the slaves were brought to the Cape on VOC company ships from VOC trading posts in the East. Slaves were also brought to the Cape by slave trading ships from countries such as Madagascar, Britain, Portugal, France and Denmark. Some of the difficult conditions experienced on the slave ships were: • being chained • cramped tightly below deck • no space for movement • not being allowed to exercise on the upper deck SUMMARY continued

About 60 000 slaves were transported to the Cape between 1658 and 1807 from many different places. Some of these slaves were convicts and political prisoners ACTIVITY 3.5

Use the map in the previous slide to answer the questions below. 1. Name six different places from which slaves were captured and brought to the Cape. (6) 2. How far did a ship have to travel in order to bring slaves from to the Cape? (1) 3. How far did a slave ship have to travel in order to bring slaves from Madagascar to the Cape? (1) 4. Give your opinion as to why slaves were not brought overland from Mozambique to the Cape? (2) SUMMARY What it was like to be a slave at the Cape

Slaves were treated like possessions ad life was very difficult for them. Some of them were skilled craftsmen and artisans who were put to work on various projects. Very soon there were more slaves than Europeans at the Cape. Most of them worked for the VOC: • building the fort, houses and taverns • making a jetty and roads • growing vegetables in the company garden • being servants for the officials • cutting timber in the forests SUMMARY continued

• Constructing the castle where the governor lived Some slaves also served individuals by working: • on the Free Burgher farms • in the ' vineyards The most highly valued slaves in the Cape were slave children who had been born to European fathers and slave mothers. These mothers had no rights to their own children. Slaves could walk around from one place to another if they were sent for something, but they had to carry signed passes proving that they had permission from their owners. SUMMARY continued

Many slaves died of disease. Some tried to run away because of the terrible conditions in which they lived. If runaway slaves were caught, they were whipped, branded and sentenced to life in chains. If they were caught after a second attempt to run away, their ears, noses and sometimes their right hands were cut off.. ACTIVITY 3.6

1. Name TWO countries from which slaves were brought to the Cape?(2) 2. Make a list of all the ways in which slaves were punished (3) 3. How do you know that conditions on the VOC ships were strict? (2) 4. Study the types of work that slaves did in the Cape. (4) What does the list tell you: a) about the type of work slaves did b) about the kind of people who were brought to the Cape as slaves? Activity 3.6

5. What do you think the worst thing about slavery was? Write a paragraph in which you explain your thoughts. (5)