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Conversion of land ownership to Perpetual Quitrent

All the while and behind the scenes, events were unfolding that would significantly influence
land tenure and thereby, settlement and development in the southern Cape Peninsula.

The extra expense of having two harbours at the Cape - necessitating the maintenance of
naval stores and workshops at both Table Bay and Simon’s Bay - was among the most urgent
concerns the British sought to rationalize following the reoccupation of the Cape in 1806.
Accordingly, as early as 1811, plans were put into effect to make Simon’s Town the sole
station for the British fleet in Southern African waters and, in time, the main naval base for
the British Empire in the southern hemisphere (58) . With this came a marked increase in

business opportunities and, coupled with the lifting of the previous V.O.C. restrictions on the
number of people allowed to settle in the south Peninsula, a collateral growth in property
value and attendant requests for grants of land. For those interested in obtaining property,
however, another change first needed to take place.

As has been explained, the principles of land use under the former Dutch administration were
such that they carried no security of tenure. Although an occupier might come to regard the
property he held as his own through investment and improvements, at the end of each lease
period the government still retained the option to resume ownership of the land. To the
British Governor at the Cape, Lord Caledon, this situation was irrational and seen to more
often discourage private enterprise, investment and wise land husbandry. As early as 1809
Caledon made representation to the Government in England, urging this matter to be
addressed but received the reply that, while sympathetic to Caledon’s views, no action could
be taken until the whole question of whether or not the Cape would remain in the hands of
Britain had been settled (59) .

Lord Caledon was succeeded as Governor by Sir John Cradock who, before departing from
England, had been given instructions to address this issue, among other pressing matters,
th
upon arrival at the Cape. Accordingly, on August 6 , 1813, a proclamation was issued by
which holders of loan places could apply to have the conditions of their grants changed to,

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