MEDIA STATEMENT – 29 October 2024

Commemorating the Chinezenmoord / Chinese Troebelen 

– 1740 Batavia Massacre / ‘Murder of the Chinese’ / Geger Pacinan (‘Chinatown Tumult’) / VOC pogrom of Chinese in Dutch-occupied Batavia 

Violence inside Batavia – today’s Jakarta on Java, Indonesia – lasts (9 October 1740 – 22 October 1740) with skirmishes in outlying areas continuing (until late November).  As estimated 10 000 Chinese are massacred – with 600 – 3000 believed to survive.  Unrest (September 1740) among the Chinese is triggered by Dutch repression and declining sugar prices. The uprising is met by VOC Governor-General Adriaan Valckenier with deadly force.  100s of Chinese, many sugar mill workers, kill (7 October) 50 Dutch soldiers. Local Indonesian colonial collaborators help impose a curfew and confiscate all weapons. Rumours of Chinese atrocities cause other ethnic groups to burn Chinese houses along Besar Stream and Dutch soldiers to fire cannon at Chinese homes. Violence spreads killing more Chinese. Amnesty (11 October) follows but gangs of irregulars continue to hunt and kill Chinese (until 22 October) when Valckenier calls for hostilities to end. Clashes continue between Dutch troops and rioting sugar mill workers. After several weeks of skirmishes, Dutch-led troops assault Chinese strongholds in the sugar mills. Attacks on Chinese throughout Java spark 2-year Java War pitting Chinese and Javanese forces against Dutch troops. Valckenier is recalled to Patria (Netherlands) and charged with crimes relating to the massacre. 

VOC (CABO) FOUNDATION calls on concerned and morally committed parties to recall, remember, rethink, re-evaluate and reprehend such abhorrent (yet still recurring) events such as the 1740 Chinese Massacre.  Similar more recent heinous attacks on Orang Tionghoa Indonesia (‘Chinese Indonesians’) and atrocities committed during the Bersiap period (August 1945–November 1947) and the Sinophobic May 1998 riots in Indonesia – with appallingly negligible international condemnation – sadly come to mind … These tragic events are just one of many never-ending losses to our precious human, cultural, architectural and heritage landscape and cause to remind ourselves of the very real fragility of our rapidly diminishing heritage landscape.  As a Foundation we strive to evaluate and safeguard the VOC’s global and South Africa’s VOC and colonial legacy, and wish to reiterate the urgent need to promote, conserve and protect our diminishing in/tangible heritage.  

The VOC, as one of the world’s very 1st^st and largest global companies and corporate institutions, was responsible for the diaspora of countless Asians, Europeans, Africans (and even Americans) – an irreversible hybrid legacy enshrined in our Constitution’s Preamble: 

… We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; 

and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity …

The VOC-occupied Cape of Good Hope was ruled from Batavia and many slaves (culturally ‘Indo-Chinese’) were brought to the Cape from the Indonesian, Malaysian and Philippine archipelagos, the Indian sub-continent and Sri Lanka – as well as Babba-Nonya Chinese convicts. The Peranaken / Babba-Nonya cultures in Indonesia and Malaysia – a good many hundreds of years of Chinese settlement in SE Asia especially from southern China – contributed significantly to the peopling, culture and cuisine of that part of Asia. Descendants of some of these slaves also morphed into what becomes the Afrikaans-speaking currently labelled and/or self-identified as ‘Cape Coloured’, ‘Cape Malay’ and ‘Afrikaner’ communities. Many British-South Africans / Anglo-Africans, too, descend, through inter-marriage, from some of these individuals who – in a colony of initially few European women – effectively produced these various interlarding / inter-related communities.

VOC (CABO) Foundation (founded 1995) seeks to:

• safeguard VOC Heritage, Legacy and Memory
• conserve  in/tangible heritage, eg living culture, memoirs, biographies, artefacts such as buildings, wrecks, documents and porcelain from the period
• cultivate interest in the VOC period at the Cape of Good Hope (1652-1795) and its global (also human) legacy
• Conduct,  publish research and disseminate information about the VOC, locally and overseas
• secure VOC-derived culture, language, traditions of the Cape of Good Hope peoples and their descendants the People of South Africa 
• promote VOC cultural tourism.

The Chinezenmoord / Chinese Troebelen 

– 1740 Batavia massacre / ‘Murder of the Chinese’ / Geger Pacinan (Bahasa Indonesia for ‘Chinatown Tumult’) / VOC pogrom of Chinese in Dutch-occupied Batavia 

During early years of Dutch East Indies colonisation, many people of Chinese descent are contracted as skilled artisans in Batavia’s construction also serve as traders, sugar mill workers, and shopkeepers. The economic boom, precipitated by trade between the East Indies and China via the port of Batavia, increases Chinese immigration. The Chinese in Batavia reach a total of 10 000 (by 1740). 1000s more live outside the city walls.  Dutch colonials require them to carry registration papers and deport those not complying. Deportation increases (1730s) after an outbreak of malaria kills 1000s (including Governor-General Dirck van Cloon) followed by increased suspicion and resentment by native Indonesians and the Dutch toward the ever-increasing now wealthy Chinese.  Commissioner of Native Affairs Roy Ferdinand decrees (25 July 1740) that any suspicious Chinese would be deported to Ceylon [Sri Lanka] and forced to harvest cinnamon.  Chinese are extorted by corrupt Dutch officials who threaten them with deportation; Dutch are told by Ni Hoe Kong (VOC-appointed Chinese captain) for Batavia, to deport all Chinese wearing black or blue being too poor.  Rumours abound that deportees are not to be taken to their destinations but thrown overboard once out of sight of Java, and some die rioting on ships.  Deportation of Chinese causes unrest among remaining Chinese leading many workers to desert. Native occupants of Batavia, including Betawi servants, become increasingly distrustful of the Chinese. Economic factors play a role: most natives are poor resenting Chinese occupation of the city’s more prosperous neighbourhoods.  Many Chinese are sugar mill workers and feel exploited by Dutch / Chinese elites.  Rich Chinese own the mills and undertake revenue farming, shipping and drawing income from milling and arak distillation.  Dutch set sugar prices which also causes unrest.  Sugar prices (beginning 1720s) decline worldwide as exports to Europe and West Indies competition increase, and sugar industry in the East Indies suffers considerably.  Prices drop to half (by 1740).  Initially some Raad van Indië members believe that the Chinese would never attack Batavia, and stronger measures to control them are blocked by a faction led by Valckenier’s political opponent, former Ceylon governor Gustaaf Willem van Imhoff , who returns to Batavia (1738).  Large numbers of Chinese arrive outside Batavia from nearby settlements, however, and Valckenier calls (26 September) an emergency Council meeting giving orders to respond to any Chinese uprisings with deadly force. This policy is opposed by Van Imhoff’s faction. Tension between the 2 factions likely plays a role in the ensuing massacre.  Valckenier receives reports (1 October) that a crowd of 1000 Chinese gathering outside the gate, angered by his statements. This report is received incredulously by Valckenier and Council. However, after the murder of a Balinese sergeant by the Chinese, Council reinforces the guard. Two groups of 50 Europeans and native porters are sent to the city’s outposts. After groups of Chinese sugar mill workers revolt using custom-made weapons to loot and burn mills, 100s of Chinese believed to be led by Chinese Captain Ni Hoe Kong, killed (7 October) 50 Dutch soldiers in Meester Cornelis (now Jatinegara) and Tanah Abang. The Dutch send 1 800 regular troops, accompanied by schutterij (militia) and 11 battalions of conscripts and establish a curfew cancelling plans for a Chinese festival. The Dutch repel an attack by up to 10 000 Chinese, led by nearby groups in Tangerang and Bekasi, at the city’s outer walls; 1 789 Chinese die. Valckenier calls (9 October) another Council meeting. Rumours spread among other ethnic groups (slaves from Bali & Sulawesi and Bugis & Balinese troops) that the Chinese are plotting to kill, rape or enslave them and they burn Chinese houses along Besar Stream. Troops under Lieutenant Hermanus van Suchtelen and Captain Jan van Oosten (survivor from Tanah Abang) take the station in the Chinese kampong: Suchtelen and his men position themselves at the poultry market, while Van Oosten’s men hold a post along the nearby canal. The Dutch open fire on Chinese houses with cannon, causing them to catch fire. Some Chinese die in burning houses, while others are shot leaving their homes or commit suicide in desperation. Those reaching the canal are killed by Dutch troops waiting in small boats, while other troops search in between the rows of burning houses, killing survivors.  Many are sailors and other lowlife. Heavy looting and seizures of property continue. Violence spreads and Chinese patients in hospital are killed. Attempts to extinguish fires in areas devastated the day before fail, and fires continue (until 12 October). 800 Dutch soldiers and 2000 natives assault Kampung Gading Melati, where Chinese survivors hold up under Khe Pandjang [Que Pandjang / Si Pandjang / Sie Pan Djiang / Oie Panko]. Although the Chinese evacuate to nearby Paninggaran, they are repelled by Dutch forces with approximately 450 Dutch and 800 Chinese casualties. Valckenier unsuccessfully requests (11 October) that officers control their troops and stop the looting.  The Council establishes a reward of 2 ducats for every Chinese head surrendered so that other ethnic groups assist in the purge. Chinese who survive initial assault are hunted by gangs of thugs, who kill those Chinese they find for reward.  Dutch work with natives in different parts of Batavia; Bugis and Balinese grenadiers are also despatched (14 October). Valckenier calls (22 October) for all killings to cease.  Blaming unrest entirely on Chinese rebels, Valckenier offers amnesty to all Chinese except for ringleaders placing a bounty (500 rijksdaalders) on their heads.  Skirmishes between Chinese rebels and the Dutch continue. After almost 2 weeks, 500 armed Chinese approach (25 October) Cadouwang (now Angke), but are repelled by cavalry under Ridmeester Christoffel Moll and cornets Daniel Chits and Pieter Donker. The cavalry (1 594 Dutch & native forces), march on the rebel stronghold at Salapadjang sugar mill setting the mill on fire while rebels are inside; the mill at Boedjong Renje is taken by another group.  The Chinese retreat to a sugar mill in Kampung Melayu, 4 hours from Salapadjang and this stronghold falls to troops under Captain Jan George Crummel. After defeating the Chinese and retaking Qual, the Dutch return to Batavia.  Fleeing Chinese, blocked to the west by 3000 troops from Sultanate of Banten, head east along Java’s north coast; Chinese reach Tangerang (by 30 October). A ceasefire order reaches Crummel (2 November) who returns to Batavia stationing 50 men at Cadouwang.   Sultanate of Cirebon sends 2000 – 3000 native troops to reinforce the city guard (8 November).  Looting continues (until at least 28 November). 

It is estimated that 10 000 Chinese are killed within Batavia’s city walls, while at least another 500 are seriously wounded. 600-700 Chinese-owned houses are raided and burned. Vermeulen gives a figure of 600 survivors [Johannes Theodorus Vermeulen, De Chineezen te Batavia en de troebelen van 1740 [‘The Chinese of Batavia and the Troubles of 1740’], Proefschrift, Leiden (1938)]. The massacre is followed by an ‘open season’ against the Chinese throughout Java, causing another massacre (1741) in Semarang, and others later in Surabaya and Gresik. As a condition for cessation of violence, Batavia’s Chinese are moved to a pecinam (‘Chinatown’), outside of the city walls, now known as Glodok.  Dutch can now monitor the Chinese more easily. Chinese require special passes. By 1743, however, Chinese have already returned to inner Batavia; several hundred merchants operating there. Other Chinese led by Khe Pandjang flee to Central Java where they attack Dutch trading posts, and are later joined by troops under command of Javanese sultan of Mataram Pakubuwono II. This further uprising is quashed (1743) but conflicts in Java continue for 17 years. Van Imhoff and 2 councillors are arrested (6 December 1740) on Valckenier’s orders for insubordination, and sent (13 January 1741) home on separate ships arriving (19 September 1741). Van Imhoff convinces Lords XVII that Valckenier is to blame for the massacre delivering (24 November 1741) a speech entitled Consideratiën over den tegenwoordigen staat van de Ned. O.I. Comp. (‘Considerations on the Current Condition of the Dutch East Indies Company’). Charges against him and other councillors are dismissed. Van Imhoff is sent back (27 October 1742) to Batavia on the Hersteller as new governor-general, arriving (26 May 1743). Valckenier asks to be replaced (late 1740), and is instructed (February 1741) to appoint Van Imhoff as successor – an alternative account has Lords XVII inform him that he is to be replaced by Van Imhoff as punishment for exporting (1739) too much sugar and too little coffee thereby causing large financial losses. By the time Valckenier receives a reply, Van Imhoff is already on his way back to Netherlands. Valckenier leaves Indies (6 November 1741) appointing temporary successor Johannes Thedens. Arriving (25 January 1742) in Cape Town, he is detained and investigated by Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel by order of Lords XVII and sent back to Batavia (August 1742) and imprisoned in Fort Batavia – 3 months later, tried on several charges, including involvement in the massacre and convicted (March 1744) and condemned to death with all belongings confiscated. The trial reopens (December 1744) and he asks for more evidence, but dies in prison (20 June 1751) before investigation completed. The death penalty is rescinded posthumously (1755). Vermeulen sees the investigation as unfair and fuelled by popular outrage in Netherlands.  His son Adriaan Isaäk Valckenier receives (1760) reparations totalling 725,000 gulden. Recovery after new governor-general Van Imhoff colonises Tangerang is initially intended for men to come from Netherlands and work the land rather than ‘lazier’ local settlers. Unable to attract new settlers because of high taxes, land is sold to those already in Batavia. New land-owners quickly rent out land to Chinese. Production rises steadily, but takes until 1760s to reach pre-1740 levels. Leonard Blussé writes that the massacre indirectly leads to Batavia’s rapid expansion and institutionalises a modus vivendi creating a still evident division between the Chinese and other groups.  

MEDIA STATEMENT – 29 July 2024

Today we recall and commemorate the untimely and tragic death – 350 years ago – of Eva Meerhoff – born Krotoa of the Goringhaicona – who died this day on Robben Island in 1674 …

Krotoa (c. 1643-1674) – Cape aboriginal woman of the Goringhaicona clan reared by the first Dutch VOC commander Jan van Riebeeck (1619-1677) and utilised by the Dutch as interpreter, envoy, trader, guide, cultural broker, mediator, agent and informant. The Cape of Good Hope’s first indigene to be baptised (3 May 1662 as Eva) and to marry (2 June 1664) according to Christian rites. Wife of the VOC’s Danish surgeon and superintendent of Robben Island, the Copenhagen-born Pieter Meerhoff (c. 1637-1667/8) and killed at Antongil Bay, Madagascar while on a trading and slaving expedition. As widow, she fell into disgrace with the Dutch colonial occupiers who disapproved of her drinking, sexual and native habits. Detained and banished without trial to Robben Island, she died there (29 July 1674) aged 31 years. Her remains were later removed from the demolished church at the Castle and buried (30 July 1674) – with the other exhumed remains – under the foundations of the Dutch Reformed Groote Kerk in Adderley Street, Cape Town. Her recorded progeny – including South African historical figures such as Paul Kruger (1825-1904) and Jan Smuts (1870-1950) – form a substantial proportion of the people misclassified “white” under the apartheid regime.

We as a Foundation strive to conserve South Africa’s VOC and colonial legacy and wish to bring home the urgent need to conserve and protect our diminishing tangible and intangible heritage. The VOC, as one of the world’s very 1st and largest global companies and corporate institutions, was responsible for the diaspora of countless Asians, Europeans, Africans (and even Americans) – an irreversible hybrid legacy now also enshrined in our Constitution’s Preamble:

We, the people of South Africa, 

Recognise the injustices of our past; 

Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; 

Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; 

and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity

STIGTING VOC (CABO) (anno 1995)

MEDIA-VRYSTELLING – 29 Julie 2024

Vandag onthou en herdenk ons die ontydige en tragiese dood – 350 jaar gelede – van Eva Meerhoff – gebore Krotoa van die Goringhaikona – wat vandag op Robbeneiland in 1674 oorlede is…
Krotoa (c. 1643-1674) – Kaapse inheemse vrou van die Goringhaikona-stam, grootgemaak deur die eerste Nederlandse VOC kommandeur Jan van Riebeeck (1619-1677) en as tolk, gesant, handelaar, gids, kultuur-makelaar, middelaar, agent en informant deur die Nederlanders gebruik. Die Kaap die Goeie Hoop se eerste gedoopte inboorling (3 Mei 1662 as Eva) en eerste inboorling wat volgens Christelike gebruik getroud is (2 Junie 1664). Gade van die VOC se Deense chirurg en poshouer op Robbeneiland, die Kopenhagen-gebore Pieter Meerhoff (c.1637-1667/8) vermoor in Antongilbaai, Madagaskar gedurende ‘n handelsekspedisie. As weduwee word haar drinkery, seksuele, natuurlike en naturelle neigings afgekeur en sy raak in onguns by die Nederlandse koloniale besetters. Aangehou en verban sonder verhoor na Robbeneiland, sterf sy daar op die ouderdom van 31 jaar (29 Julie 1674). Haar oorskot is later van die gesloopte kerk in die Kasteel verwyder en herbegrawe onder die fondasies van die Groote Kerk in Adderleystraat, Kaapstad. Haar gedokumenteerde nageslag vorm ‘n substansiële deel van die mense wat onder die apartheid-stelsel “blank” geklassifiseer is – selfs Suid-Afrikaanse historiese figure soos Paul Kruger (1825-1904) en Jannie Smuts (1870-
1950) is direkte afstammelinge van Eva.

As Stigting streef ons om Suid-Afrika se VOC- en koloniale nalatenskap te beskerm; en beklemtoon beslis die dringende bewaringsbehoefte en die betreurenswaardige vermindering van tasbare en ontasbare erfenis. Die VOC is een van die wêreld se heel 1ste en grootse wêreldwye maatskappye en korporatiewe instellings verantwoordelik vir die diaspora van ontelbare mense uit Asië, Europa, Afrika en selfs Amerika -’n onomkeerbare hibriede nalatenskap wat nou ook in die Aanhef tot ons Grondwet, verskans is:

Ons, die mense van Suid-Afrika,

Erken die ongeregtighede van ons verlede;

Huldig diegene wat vir geregtigheid en vryheid in ons land gely het;

Respekteer diegene wat hul beywer het om ons land op te bou en te ontwikkel; en

Glo dat Suid-Afrika behoort aan almal wat daarin woon, verenig in ons verskeidenheid

MEDIA STATEMENT – 9 April 2024

We at the VOC Foundation (Cabo) are gutted to learn of the recent destruction by fire of Blaauwklippen’s opstal and jonkerhuis.  

We call on all stakeholders to come together in whichever way we can to assist and support in the rebuilding and continued conservation and future promotion of this our National Treasure. 

This is just one of many never-ending losses to our precious cultural, architectural and heritage landscape and cause to remind ourselves of the very real fragility of our rapidly diminishing heritage landscape. 

We as a Foundation strive to safeguard and help reconfigure South Africa’s VOC and colonial legacy and wish to reiterate the urgent need to conserve and protect our diminishing tangible and intangible heritage.  

The VOC, as one of the world’s very 1^st and largest global companies and corporate institutions, was responsible for the diaspora of countless Asians, Europeans, Africans (and even Americans) – an irreversible hybrid legacy now also enshrined in our Constitution’s Preamble: 

… We, the people of South Africa, 

Recognise the injustices of our past; 

Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; 

Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; 

and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity …

Blaauwklippen is one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms. Situated at Moddergat – between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, it was originally granted in 1682 by VOC commander (later governor) Simon van der Stel Heer van Lisse (14 October 1639-24 June 1712) who was the colony’s 1^st Person of Colour born at sea off the coast of Mauritius of a Eurasian mother Maria Lievens: and a formerly enslaved Indian paternal grandmother Mai Monica da Costa.

The 1^st registered owner was Dutch-born Gerrit Jansz: Visser aka Gerrit Grof (died 1713) who hailed from Ommen, Overijssel.  He was the eldest son of Johannes (Jan) Coenraedsz: Visser better known by his game-hunting sobriquets of Grof / Wildchut – one of the colony’s 1^st vrijburghers and half-brother to slave-born-but-manumitted Margaretha Jans: Visser (1659-c. 1710/11) – 1^st matron and teacher in Cape Town’s Slave Lodge born in 1^st VOC Commander Jan van Riebeeck’s household – De Cat. 

 Gerrit Grof arrives at the Cape (30 January 1662) on the ship Wapen van Amsterdam with his step-mother Margaretha (Grietje) Gerrits: (1610-1692) (from Hardenberg, Overijssel), sisters Maria and Gesina; and brother Coenraad.  He married (4 August 1675) Cape-born Jannetje Thielmans: (c. 1660-1713) – the colony’s 1^st creole infant to marry in the infant colony and one of the colony’s 1st infants baptized (18 July 1660) by en passant reformed Leiden University-educated dominee François Caron Jr. (died 1685) – half-Japanese son of the famous Flemming and Huguenot François Caron Sr. (1600-1673)  who was the 1^st French-speaker to reside in Japan during the Edo-period and maternal grandson of Eguchi Jūzaemon.

BLAAUWKLIPPEN – REGISTERED OWNERS

• 1682 & 9 September 1690:  Gerrit Jansz: Visscher in de wandeling Grof genaamd 
• 9 November 1690:  Guillaume Nel (from Rouen, Normandie) – South African stamvader – husband to Jeanne de la Batte (from Saumur, Saumurois, Anjou)
• Barend Peters  / Pietersz: (from Wesel, Duchy of Cleves) – Nel’s son-in-law

arrives 1710 as soldier, woodcutter 1713, burgher 1714; marries  Johanna Nel, wid. Peter Peil; 7 children  

• Georg / Jurgen Christoffel Grommet (from Oelsnitz, Saxony via Koblenz)

arrives 1731 as soldier, corporal 1734-39; farmhand since 1739; burgher 1742; marries 3 January 1745 Maria Borryn (from  Middelburg), widow of Jacobus Wiltschuts; repatriates 1762

• Johann (Jan) Bernhard Hoffmann  (from Stralsund)

arrives 1744 as corporal, substitute-landdrost of Stellenbosch 1747-52; burgher 1752; resident at Stellenbosch on farm Libertas  (since 1771); heemraad, captain of 2 Company burgher-dragoons; dies 8.6.1800; marries (1stly) Catharina Elisabeth Roux; marries (2ndly) 7 April 1754 Clara Francina Groenewald; marries (3rdly) 1768 Anna Elisabeth Louw, wid. Jacobus Hendricus Malan; 18 children

• Johan Joachim Sweedberg 

Zwartland 23 June 1771  

Johan Joachim Swedberg (van Fahlum gewesene Consumptie Boekhouder te Calpettij jonkman) en Johanna Christina Delits (Wedw: wijlen den Eerw: Predikant Gerhardus Croeser)

• Jan Bernhard Hoffman van Sweedberg & divorced wife, Johanna Christina Derlitsch [sic]) 
• Dirk Wouter Hoffman 
• Frans Rossouw (Daniel Zn)
• Jacobus Rossouw ex estate Frans Rossouw

MORE ABOUT US 

The VOC Foundation (founded 1995) seeks to:

• Safeguard VOC Heritage, Legacy and Memory
• Conserve tangible and intangible heritage, eg artefacts such as buildings, wrecks, documents and porcelain from the period
• Cultivate interest in the VOC period at the Cape (1652-1795) and its global legacy.
• Conduct and Publish research and disseminate information about the VOC, locally and overseas
• Secure the VOC-derived culture, language, traditions of the Cape of Good Hope peoples and their descendants the People of South Africa 
• Promote VOC cultural tourism.

Silver commemorative medallion struck for the wedding of Grof’s son Coenraed housed in Cape Town’s Slave Lodge [Iziko Museums] – formerly SA Cultural History Museum – to commemorate the Cape wedding (5 August 1685) of Grof’s son Coenraad Jansz: Visser and Catharina Everts: van der Zee who was born at sea on the ship Europa. One side has pictorial engravings, legends, a monogram and the year 1685. The other has allegorical emblems and further inscriptions

MEDIA-VRYSTELLING – 9 April 2024

Met innige meegevoel neem STIGTING VOC kennis omtrent die onlangse brand en vernietiging van Blaauwklippen se opstal en jonkerhuis.  

Ons maak staat op alle belanghebbendes om saam-saam die herbou en aangaande bewaring en toekomstige promosie van hierdie Nasionale Skat van ons, aan te pak. 

Blaauwklippen is net een van die baie eindelose verliese van ons kosbare kultuur, argitektuur en erfenis; en herinner ons aan die ewige broosheid van ons vinnig-afnemende erfenislandskap en kultuurruimte.

As Stigting streef ons om Suid-Afrika se VOC- en koloniale nalatenskap to bewaak en herbou; en beklemtoon beslis die dringende bewaringsbehoefte en die betreurenswaardige vermindering van tasbare en ontasbare erfenis.

Die VOC is een van die wêreld se heel 1ste en grootse wêreldwye maatskappye en korporatiewe instellings verantwoordelik vir die diaspora van ontelbare mense uit Asië, Europa, Afrika en selfs Amerika -’n onomkeerbare hibriede nalatenskap wat nou ook in die Aanhef tot ons Grondwet, verskans is:

Ons, die mense van Suid-Afrika,

Erken die ongeregtighede van ons verlede;

Huldig diegene wat vir geregtigheid en vryheid in ons land gely het;

Respekteer diegene wat hul beywer het om ons land op te bou en te ontwikkel; en

Glo dat Suid-Afrika behoort aan almal wat daarin woon, verenig in ons verskeidenheid.

Blaauwklippen is een van Suid-Afrika se oudste wynplase. Geleë by Moddergat – tussen Stellenbosch en Somerset-Wes, die plaas is oorspronklik deur VOC Kommandeur (later Goeverneur) Simon van der Stel Heer van Lisse (14 Oktober 1639-24 Junie 1712), in 1682 toegeken – niemand anders as die kolonie se 1ste Persoon van Kleur en op-see-gebore-by- Mauritius seun van ‘n Eurasiese moeder Maria Lievens; en ‘n kleinseun van ‘n voormalige Indiese slavin Mai Monica da Costa.

Die plaas se 1ste geregistreede eienaar is Nederland-gebore Gerrit Jansz: Visser alias Gerrit Grof (sterf 1713) afkomstig uit Ommen, Overijssel. Hy is die oudste seun van die berugte wildjagter Johannes (Jan) Coenraedsz: Visser in de wandeling Jan Grof / Wildchut genaamd – een van die kolonie se 1ste vryburgers en halfbroer van die vrygestelde slavin Margaretha Jans: Visser (1659-c. 1710/11) – 1ste matres en onderwyseres in die Kaap se Slawelogie en in die 1ste VOC Kommandeur Jan van Riebeeck’s se woning – De Cat – gebore.  

Gerrit Grof arriveer aan die Kaap (30 Januarie 1662) op die skip Wapen van Amsterdam saam met sy stief-moeder Margaretha (Grietje) Gerrits: (1610-1692) (van Hardenberg, Overijssel), susters Maria en Gesina (Geesje); en broer Coenraad.  Hy trou (4 Augustus 1675) Kaap-geborene Jannetje Thielmans: (c. 1660-1713) – die kolonie se heel 1ste Afrikaanse bruid  in die baba kolonie en een van die kolonie se 1ste gedoopte kinders (18 July 1660) deur ‘n verbygaande Leiden Universiteit-opgevoede dominee François Caron Jr. (oorlede in 1685) – die half-Japanese seun van die bekende Vlaming en Hugenoot François Caron Sr. (1600-1673) – die 1ste Frans-sprekende in Japan tydens die Edo-tydperk en kleinseun op moederskant van Eguchi Jūzaemon.

BLAAUWKLIPPEN – GEREGISTREEDE EIENAARS

• 1682 & 9 September 1690:  Gerrit Jansz: Visscher (in de wandeling Grof genaamd) 
• 9 November 1690:  Guillaume Nel (van Rouen, Normandie) – Suid-Afrikaanse stamvader – getroud met Jeanne de la Batte (van Saumur, Saumurois, Anjou)
• Barend Peters  / Pietersz: (van Wesel, Hertogdom van Cleves) – Nel se skoonseun

arriveer 1710 as soldaat, houtkapper 1713, burger 1714; trou Johanna Nel, wed. Peter Peil; 7 kinders  

• Georg / Jurgen Christoffel Grommet (van Oelsnitz, Saxe via Koblenz)

arriveer 1731 as soldaat, korporaal 1734-39; kneg sedert 1739; burger 1742; trou 3 Januarie 1745 Maria Borryn (van  Middelburg), weduwee van Jacobus Wiltschuts; repatrieër 1762

• Johann (Jan) Bernhard Hoffmann  (from Stralsund)

arriveer 1744 as korporal, substituut-landdros van Stellenbosch 1747-52; burger 1752; woon op Stellenbosch op die plaas Libertas  (sedert 1771); heemraad, kaptein van 2 Company burger-dragonders; sterf 8 Junie 1800; trou (1) Catharina Elisabeth Roux; trou (2) 7 April 1754 Clara Francina Groenewald; trou (3) 1768 Anna Elisabeth Louw, weduwee van Jacobus Hendricus Malan; 18 kinders

• Johan Joachim Sweedberg 

Swartland 23 June 1771  

Johan Joachim Swedberg (van Fahlum gewesene Consumptie Boekhouder te Calpettij jonkman) en Johanna Christina Delits (Wedw: wijlen den Eerw: Predikant Gerhardus Croeser)

• Jan Bernhard Hoffman van Sweedberg & geskeide vrou, Johanna Christina Derlitsch [sic]) 
• Dirk Wouter Hoffman 
• Frans Rossouw (Daniel Zn)
• Jacobus Rossouw ex boedel Frans Rossouw

MEER OOR ONS 

Die Stigting se doelwitte behels die volgende:

● beveilig VOC-erfenis, -nalatenskap en -geheue

● bewaar tasbare en ontasbare erfenis, bv. artefakte soos geboue, wrakke, dokumente en porselein uit die tydperk

● kweek belangstelling in die VOC-tydperk aan die Kaap (1652-1795) en sy wêreldwye  nalatenskap

● doen en publiseer navorsing en versprei inligting oor die VOC – plaaslik en oorsee

● behou die VOC-afgeleide kultuur, taal en tradisies van die Kaap die Goeie Hoop-mense en hul afstammelinge die mense van Suid-Afrika

● bevorder VOC kultuurtoerisme

Silwer kommemoratiewe medaljon gemunt vir die huwelik van Grof se seun Coenraed in Kaapstad se Slavelogie [Iziko Museums] – die voormalige SA Kulturele Geskiedenis Museum – as herdenking van die Kaapse troue (5 Augustus 1685) van Grof se seun Coenraad Jansz: Visser en Catharina Everts: van der Zee gebore op see op die skip Europa.  Een kant het prentgravures, legendes, ‘n monogram en die jaartal 1685. Die ander het allegoriese embleme en verdere inskripsies.