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Van Riebeeck Hedge - Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town

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The Van Riebeeck Hedge of wild almond trees, designed as a defensive barrier, to keep the cattle where they should be and deter cattle theft.  © Leo za1, License

Van Riebeeck Hedge - Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town

The Van Riebeeck Hedge is a living historical monument situated within the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town. It dates back to the mid-1660s when Dutch settlers, led by Jan van Riebeeck, planted a protective barrier of indigenous wild almond trees (Brabejum stellatifolium). This hedge, extending across parts of what was then the Cape Colony, served as a defensive measure to mark the boundaries of the settlement and deter livestock theft, creating a physical separation from the indigenous Khoikhoi people. To many this historical hedge of intertwined indigenous wild almond trees represents the beginning of a racial conflict in South Africa, Apartheid.

An interesting point about Wild Almonds is that they contain cyanide and are poisonous unless specially treated by soaking and roasting, a technique discovered by the Khoisan people who used to eat them.

While much of the original hedge has disappeared over the centuries, sections were preserved at Kirstenbosch and continue to thrive today. The Van Riebeeck Hedge is recognized as a National Monument and stands as a reminder of South Africa’s complex colonial history. Visitors to the gardens can view this fascinating piece of living history, which underscores the intricate intersections of nature, colonialism, and culture in the region.


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