... 1699 Driesprong

High up on the southwestern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, named after Governor Simon van der Stel, one finds the land known as Drie Sprong.It was originally home to a Dutch East India Company servant, whose job it was to fire a cannon from the peak directly above the property, appropriately named Kanonkop. This cannon was the third in a relay from Cape Town, via Koeberg, signaling the arrival of any foreign vessels in Table Bay. The Free Burghers of the surrounding areas would then hurry to Cape Town and trade with the visitors or defend the town against attack.