OCTOBER 2026
TALK
DATE: Tuesday 20th October
TIME: 20:00
SPEAKER: Simon Winter
VENUE: The Athenaeum in Newlands, located at the intersection of Campground Road & Mariendahl Lane.
Drive through Boundary Terrace office park gates, turn left at the top into the dedicated Athenaeum parking area.
TOPIC: The history of the VOC Outpost Jan Biesjes Kraal
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) set up (by 1685) Jan Biesjes Craal a buitenpost approximately 10km from the Casteel de Goede Hoop – halfway between the Salt River mouth and Riet Valleij.
The post is 2km from the coast. The origin of the name is unknown but it has been suggested by historian Eric Rosenthal that it was named after a local Khoe chieftain.
This is plausible as VOC buijtenposten were invariably appropriated Khoe / San seasonal (if not also permanent) habitation spots (also toponyms).
Dr. Dan Sleigh notes that the name has to do with the biesies or reeds (Khoena: harubis) growing in the vleis of the Diep River.
(Extract from Mansell Upham: Earlier History of Jan Biesjes Kraal aan ‘t Dieprivier)
Simon Winter holds both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Cape Town.
He taught English and history at secondary school level before becoming an award-winning head teacher and a district education manager. Simon has now retired and divides his time between writing and painting. He supports the English football team Stoke City and is also a cricket fanatic, proud to count four international cricketers amongst those who passed through his hands during their high school years.
OUTING
DATE: Saturday 31st October
VENUE: HOPEFIELD AND DISTRICT
MEET: At 11 am Outside the front of the DR Church in Voortrekker Street, Hopefield
DISTANCE 128KM – Approximately 90 minutes depending on the speed travelled
We will be visiting three farms in the Hopefield district: Schaftplaas, Kersefontein and Woesteheuwel (Zoute Kloof).
VASSA visited these farms a few years ago, but there are often changes to these old properties, so it is always worth another visit.
We will be picnicking at Kersefontein so bring food and chairs.
The Hopefield market, which has grown in reputation over the years, opens at 10am. This should give you time to visit and make purchases before we gather outside the DR Church in Voortrekker Street, just around the corner.
Note: The VASSA Measuring Group conducted a complete survey of the farm Woesteheuwel, also called Zoute Kloof.
This can be viewed on the VASSA site: https://www.vassa.org.za/zoute-kloof-woesteheuvel/.
Do read this beforehand to get a good idea of the property.
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A GENTLE REMINDER / CODE OF CONDUCT
TALKS happen on the third Tuesday of a month, at the Athenaeum in Newlands. All are welcome, free of charge.
OUTINGS happen on the last Saturday of a month (usually). Members only.
VASSA outings/excursions usually take us onto exclusive properties, and frequently into private homes – which is a privilege deserving respect and courtesy, and our host’s privacy being safeguarded. Hence our Code of Conduct.
GENERAL
Only paid up members may attend Outings. (Visitors pay the annual price of membership to attend an outing.)
Always wear your VASSA name badge to Outings. It’s a courtesy to fellow members as well as a safety measure to hosts who generously allow us into their homes.
Strictly no pets ever, or children without prior arrangement.
ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
On arrival, make sure to sign the register which has a clause that indemnifies VASSA and/or its agents against all injury, loss, damage, costs and/or expenses which you and/or any other person may incur as a result of your participation.
Then, stay close to the leader so that the host can be introduced. Do not wander off before the introduction.
On departure, gather around the leader to thank the host. Do not leave before this.
If you have to leave before the end of the outing, inform the outing leader so that others don’t wait or look for you.
PHOTOGRAPH PROTOCOL
We need to safeguard the privacy of our hosts in this digital age.
Before taking interior photographs, check with the outing leader that this is permitted.
Although we may sometimes be allowed to take interior photos if we have permission from the property owner / occupant, we should use them only for personal or research purposes.
So do not post photographs of any interior on social media – this is deemed a security risk.
And never post images of a location / farm online with either GPS co-ordinates or the name and location / address attached, nor as a caption or other “tag” such as the “check in” option on Facebook.
Some already “public” exterior shots, such as the gateposts or gables, may be used to illustrate posts to social media or to the VASSA Facebook page.
ON THE PROPERTY
Switch off cell phones or put them on ‘silent’.
Do not … Touch anything / Pick up porcelain to check maker’s mark / Take books out of bookcases, etc. / Open closed doors / Sit on the furniture / Use the toilet without asking the host’s permission / Take plant slips from the garden.
Also do not … Engage the host in private conversations while everyone else is milling around / Use the privilege of an outing to organise private business arrangements or return visits with the host / Voice personal comments while on site.
LIMITING NUMBERS
Vassa outings are usually open for all members to attend. However, certain outings may not be able to accommodate a large group of people, in which case numbers are limited to a first come first served basis, and a contact email address is always provided to secure your spot.
If you cannot attend, let the organiser know so that someone else on the waiting list can.
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