In 1685 a “certain piece of land” was allocated to a German soldier called Lourens Campher. The Governor at the Cape, William Adriaan van der Stel, instructed Campher to “beplant, bepoot & betimmer” the area. In his first year he planted one bag of wheat and harvested 8 bags. By harvesting the wheat he could pay his yearly tax.

The first house Campher built has survived till present day. If one stands in front of our cellar door and look towards the right, at 2 ‘o clock, the little white building was ... (more)