Cape Town - A look at the past

The first people of Cape Town…
The first people in Cape Town were the Bushmen (San)and the Hottentot, the former being nomadic hunter-gatherers and the later cattle farmers. Both suffered from the European settlements and have all but disappeared in modern times. The first Europeans to land in the Cape, were the Portuguese in 1488. Bartholomew Diaz first named it Cabo Tormentosa (Bay of Storms) due to the ferocious storms that would mean the end of many a ship in future times.

The Fairest Cape
Several years later, Sir Francis Drake saw it in much better light; “This Cape is a most stately thing, and the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the earth.” This gave rise to another name – the Fairest Cape, one that has stuck. The first European to land in Table Bay, was Antonio de Saldanha in 1503. He climbed its picturesque mountain and named it Table Mountain, for its unique appearance.

Cape Town: A city is born…
The first Dutch settlers arrived in 1652 to establish a port for ships travelling from the East back to Europe. Jan van Riebeeck’s fort can still be seen today, though it is called the Castle of Good Hope. The French Huguenots, who had been driven from France because of their religious convictions, arrived in the Cape in the 17th Century. They settled in the Cape Province and towns like Franschoek with historic vineyards and estates reflect their valuable contribution to the Cape. The settlement in the Cape grew and towards the end of the 18th century, reference was for the first time made to De Kaap or Cape Town.

No prisoners in Cape Town, thank you very much
In 1814, the Cape Colony was formally ceded to Britain. The British attempted to start a penal colony in 1849, but the citizens staged a huge protest and the effort failed. To thank C.B. Adderley, who had been the voice of the citizens, the name of the main street was changed from Heerengracht to Adderley Street.

Modern times in Cape Town
In the twentieth century, Cape Town’s harbour became busier than ever. Simon’s Town was transformed into a naval base. The politically dark years of Apartheid and ensuing economic sanctions hit Cape Town’s shipping industry hard, but following the 1994 elections, business has been picking up and cruise liners are regularly seen docking in the harbour. With the waterfront development, Cape Town’s harbour has become not only known for shipping, but also for its entertainment and shopping value.