The Orphan Chamber at the Cape of Good Hope
The initially small settlement established at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652 experienced a gradual growth in both its population and the land it occupied until, by the time VOC rule came to an end in 1795, it had become a large colony. During the British period it expanded even more with the establishment of Graaff-Reinet and Uitenhage on the eastern frontier of the Colony.
During the VOC period the Council of Policy (Politieke Raad/Raad van Politie; politie means ‘management’) being the highest authority at the Cape of Good Hope, consisted of the functionaries who were responsible for ruling the Company’s settlement, namely the Governor (gouverneur), his Secunde or Second-in-Command, the Military Commander of the garrison, and the Fiscal (fiscaal) who was responsible for maintaining law and order. The Secretary (secretaris) also called confidential secretary (geheimschrijver) had no vote, unless he had at the same time been promoted to Councillor. The Council of Policy discussed all problems that arose and took decisions on governing the settlement.
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