Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658–1700 by A.J. Boeseken is a vital work of South African historical scholarship that sheds light on a largely overlooked aspect of early Cape history. Drawing on unpublished records of slave sales preserved in the Cape Town Deeds Office, Boeseken meticulously traces the origins and lives of enslaved people and free blacks at the Cape of Good Hope during the formative years of the Dutch East India Company’s settlement. This detailed account not only highlights the harsh realities of slavery but also provides insights into the roots of the Cape Coloured community.
Boeseken, a respected historian with decades of experience working in the State Archives, uses her extensive knowledge of Dutch records and VOC practices to unravel the often tragic stories of those forcibly brought to Table Bay’s shores. From the early slave shipments of 1658 to the complexities of manumission and the lives of free blacks, Slaves and Free Blacks at the Cape 1658–1700 offers a compelling and indispensable contribution to understanding the social fabric of early colonial South Africa.
This book is an essential read for anyone interested in South African history, colonial studies, or the human stories behind the official records of the past.
