In using the biography of Eksteen, the article argues for the importance of economic history in the study of the early modern Cape, but calls also for a study which links economic developments with social and cultural ones through a focus on individual entrepreneurs. It demonstrates, furthermore, that economic success was wound up with social power and prestige. The article also illustrates how Eksteen’s upward mobility was linked to his use of social capital and the cultivation of large social networks through kinship. Eksteen’s initial success in this arena provided him with a capital base to pursue other opportunities in agriculture, fishing and meat provision, making him the wealthiest man at the Cape by the 1730s.

Crucial to Eksteen’s later success was his successful use of the opportunities provided by the monopolistic alcohol retail market at the Cape. By making use of the concept of entrepreneurship and its attendant issues, the article describes Eksteen’s rise to fortune and prestige through his exploitation of a combination of economic opportunities afforded by Cape Town’s position as a port servicing passing ships. Hogeġ2 Resolutions of the Council of Policy of Cape of Good Hope (TANAP)ġ3 Routes to Roots – Tracing your European Ancestors Anne Lehmkuhl ġ4 Stadarchiv, Brüderstrasse, Stendal Information obtained from the Curator.This article uses the career of Hendrik Oostwald Eksteen at the Cape between 17 to illustrate the mechanisms free burghers could use to create wealth in an economically restrictive environment. Heese 1984.ġ0 Inventories of the Orphan Chamber Cape Town Archives Repository, South Africa (TANAP)ġ1 Personalia of the Germans at the Cape, 1652-1806 Dr. An Early 18th century couple,īy Margaret Cairns Familia Vol. Heese.ħ Gerrit Gerrits of Oldenburg and Susanna of Bambaser. Heese 1971.Ħĝie Vaderland, 23 October 1985 article about “Groep Sonder Grense” by Prof. Edward Moritz.ĥĝie Herkoms van die Afrikaner J. Baptism, Confirmation and Deaths Records of the parish of the Jakobikirche of the Evangelical (Lutheran) Church, Stendal information supplied by the Church Office Administration (Kreiskirchenamt) of the Evangelische Kirche, Stendal.Ģěewaarders van ons Erfenis, Deel 8 (Distrik George) J G le Roux, J J Niemandt, Mariana Olivier 2003.ģĜape Town and Stellenbosch Baptism and Marriage registers.Ĥĝie Deutschen am Kap unter der Holländischen Herrschaft, 1652-1806: Prof.BiographyĬhristiaan died probably at the age of about 2 years.

Groep Sonder Grense by H.F. Heese