Tussen die Riviere

The Cape's oldest recorded battle site is located near the Liesbeeck-Salt River Canal. In 1510, the Khoekhoe and Portugues sailors had their first serious confrontation. Portuguese commander, Francis De Almeida had sailed into the Table Bay with his fleet, in search of fresh water. Some of his crew decided to go to the Khoekhoe settlement near Salt River to trade for cattle and sheep. A conflict ensued when a few sailors attempted to kidnap two children and cattle. This caused the Khoekhoe to drive the sailors back to their ships. As a consequence of this event, De Almeida sent 150 men on an expedition to punish the Khoekhoe. They managed to set fire to huts but were then surrounded by Khoekhoe who were armed with arrows and assegais. The Portuguese men were overwhelmed and defeated by the Khoekhoe. The site is interpreted as a site of victory for the Khoekhoe over colonial tyranny. More than 50 Portuguese sailors including De Almeida, were killed by the Khoekhoe. This significant conflict led to the Portuguese avoiding the Table Bay area.

Along this river the first free burghers were allocated land by Jan Van Riebeeck to farm and this was the area of the first Khoikhoi resistance against land dispossession led by Damon.