1796 – Birth of Jan van Riebeeck’s Slave Descendant, Catharina van der Zee

Catharina van der Zee, a prominent figure descended from enslaved people brought to South Africa by Dutch settlers, was born on May 14, 1796. Living during a time when slavery was still legal under the Dutch Cape Colony, Catharina’s life reflects the complexities of race, freedom, and survival in early South African society. Her descendants later became key figures in the colored (mixed-race) communities of the Cape, whose culture, language, and identity remain essential to the country’s fabric. Her story underscores the resilience of enslaved Africans and their role in shaping the cultural heritage of Southern Africa.