Van Riebeeck, Jan (1619-1677), was the Dutch commander of the first settlement at the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa. Johan Anthoniszoon van Riebeeck was born on April 21, 1619, in Culemborg in the Netherlands. He joined the Dutch East India Company when he was 20 years old and was sent to Indonesia in 1640. He also worked in Japan and Indochina. Van Riebeeck was eventually sent home to the Netherlands after he was accused of private trading. On the voyage back, the Dutch fleet called in at Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope. Van Riebeeck spent 18 days ashore and became convinced that the cape could supply passing ships with fresh produce.
Back in the Netherlands, the Dutch East India Company offered him another opportunity. He was sent to the cape to put his ideas into practice. His instructions were to plant a vegetable garden, build a protective fort, and trade cattle with the local inhabitants. He arrived at the cape in 1652, and for the next 10 years worked hard overcoming many obstacles.
In 1662, van Riebeeck was transferred to Batavia (now Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia). In 1665, he accepted the post of secretary to the Council of the Indies. He died on Jan. 18, 1677.
See also South Africa, History of (Settlement by the Dutch).
