<P> The Dutch East India Company ( in the Dutch of the day : Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie , or VOC ) decided to establish a permanent settlement at the Cape . The VOC , one of the major European trading houses sailing the spice route to the East , had no intention of colonising the area , instead wanting only to establish a secure base camp where passing ships could shelter and be serviced , and where hungry sailors could stock up on fresh supplies of meat , fruit , and vegetables . To this end , a small VOC expedition under the command of Jan van Riebeeck reached Table Bay on 6 April 1652 . </P>
<P> The Dutch East India Company ( in the Dutch of the day : Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie , or VOC ) decided to establish a permanent settlement at the Cape . The VOC , one of the major European trading houses sailing the spice route to the East , had no intention of colonising the area , instead wanting only to establish a secure base camp where passing ships could shelter and be serviced , and where hungry sailors could stock up on fresh supplies of meat , fruit , and vegetables . To this end , a small VOC expedition under the command of Jan van Riebeeck reached Table Bay on 6 April 1652 . </P>
when did dutch settlers come to south africa
when did dutch settlers come to south africa
6 April 1652
6 April 1652