"The source material for this book is largely drawn from the records and diaries of the VOC and its Commanders, which have been translated from the Dutch."--Introduction.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-192).

"This book provides a fascinating insight into the lives of the first Dutch settlers in Table Bay and is packed full of photographs and illustrations. The diaries of Jan van Riebeeck, the first governor of the new Dutch colony at Table Bay in South Africa, document the struggle to survive in a new environment. Whether recounting attacks from wild animals, bartering with the indigenous tribes, or importing slaves to manage their crops, the diaries provide a valuable historical insight into the harsh reality of settling new colonies. Letters and reports also add to the picture, including the success of new skills brought to the community by Malays and the influx of Huguenot refugees in 1685 and finally the misfortunes that eventually brought Dutch rule to an end. In 1652, the first Dutch settlers arrived on the shores of Table Bay, having survived the hazardous journey from the Netherlands. The site, which later became known as Cape Town, had a climate in which European crops could flourish. It was here that Jan van Riebeeck was instructed by the Dutch East Indies Company to found a new community. His diaries and other contemporary records have preserved the details for posterity."--Page 4 of cover.