Jan de la Fontaine becomes Governor at the Cape

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Jan de la Fontaine, an employee of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), served as acting governor from 8 September 1724 to 25 February 1727. Pieter Gijsbert Noodt succeeded him as governor until his death on 23 April 1729. Following this, De la Fontaine was again appointed as acting governor. He was finally appointed as official governor of the Cape on 8 March 1730. His service is described as "quietly efficient". Under his rule the area up to the Little Karoo valley was explored. He colonised the Mossel Bay area in 1734 by erecting a stone beacon displaying the VOC's and Dutch Republic's coats of arms.

How we know this

01Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds) (1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 3, p. 625.
02Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Jan de la Fontaine becomes Governor at the Cape. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010853

South African History Online (2011) 'Jan de la Fontaine becomes Governor at the Cape', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010853 (Accessed: 10 October 2026).

South African History Online, Jan de la Fontaine becomes Governor at the Cape [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010853, (accessed 10 October 2026).

"Jan de la Fontaine becomes Governor at the Cape." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010853. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Jan de la Fontaine becomes Governor at the Cape." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0010853.