Page 32 - Bulletin 21

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POESPASKRAAL, SUNNYDALE FARM: HISTORY AND RESTORATION OF

THE OLD HOMESTEAD

Trish Wood

Introduction

I consider it a privilege to be the custodian of this magnificent old home, and am thrilled to

be sharing its rich history and renovation in this Bulletin. There are only a few hundred Cape

Dutch homesteads in existence and it is my hope that future generations of South Africans
will understand their significance and see that they are part of South Africa’s history,

exclusive to this small area of the world, a testimony to true craftsmanship and uniquely

beautiful. I trust that that they too, will preserve and protect them. They certainly need a lot of
love and care.

Gathering information around this property is on - going as new facts are constantly being
discovered. So please view this document/chapter as work in progress. The spelling of names

and some dates also vary slightly depending on the source.

Brief History

In the 1700s the Sunnydale valley had uninterrupted sea views, was covered with pristine

fynbos and had an abundance of game. No doubt Khoi-San groups crossed the area on their

way to various caves and rock shelters and the coast.

In 1743 the VOC declared Simon’s Town its official and compulsory winter anchorage from

April to August. This stimulated the establishing of farms of surrounding areas to supply

fresh produce to the fleets and the growing town. So, when the Governor General of the
Dutch East India Company, Barron van Imhoff, visited the Cape, Carel George Wieser, who

was at the time the owner of Groot Constantia, approached him for land at the foot of the
Roodeberg Mountain. (Also referred to as the Roodekranz Mountain.) Interestingly,

Poespaskraal farm – now Sunnydale, De Goede Hoop farm – now Noordhoek, and Slangkop