Simon van der Stel
Simon van der Stel (October 14th 1639 - June 24th 1712) was initially commander of the city of the Cape then the first governor of the colony Dutchwoman of the Cape in South Africa. He is regarded as the founder of wine industry in South Africa.
Simon van der Stel was born with the Mauritius, where his/her father Adriaen van der Stel was governor on behalf of the Compagnie Dutchwoman of the Eastern Indies between 1639 and 1645. His/her mother is Maria Lievens, of Malayan origin .
Simon van der Stel was named commander of the Cape in 1679 by the Company Dutchwoman of the Eastern Indies, year when the second colonial city of South Africa was founded and baptized Stellenbosch (the bush of van der Stel) in its honor.
At that time, the field which it must manage extends from Muizenberg on the Indian Ocean to the mountains of Steenberg and Wynberg. It will transform all the area by conceding grounds with the Dutch colonists Boer S in order to develop the cultures and in particular wines of quality on the grounds rich in alluvium. It will also make plant more than eight thousand trees. In 1685, it makes set up, in the surroundings of the Cape, the field of Groot Constantia (baptized in the honor of its Constance wife) in the Dutch architectural style of the Cape. The many properties which will be built in the area will be built according to the same esthetic standards.
In 1688, it concedes grounds in the valley of Olifantshoek with some 200 huguenot S French unloaded in the Cape following the revocation of the edict of Nantes by Louis XIV.
It makes explore the peninsula of the Cape and makes baptize " Simon' S Bay" a natural port in bay of False.
In 1691, he becomes governor of the any news and official colony of the Cape.
In 1693, a road is built connecting Constantia Nek to Hout Bay.
It makes build a hospital in the Cape in 1697 able to accommodate 225 people, very close to the gardens of the company in the center of the city.
Simon van der Stel takes his retirement in 1699 in his wine property of Groot Constantia. It is his/her son Willem Adriaen van der Stel who succeeds to him the post of governor.
Simon van der Stel died in Groot Constantia in 1712.
The town of Simon' S Town was baptized in its honor.
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