Rondebosch has places of historical interest. One being the Presidential home, where Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk signed the "Groote Schuur Minute".

 

 

 

Jan van Riebeeck marked out a spot for a barn to be built near 'De Ronde Doorn Bosjen' in 1657. Construction of De Schuur started in the same year. This stately home changed ownership several times before it was bequeathed by Cecil John Rhodes to the prime ministers of the 'federated states' of South Africa. Groote Schuur has been used as the official residence of the leaders of South Africa since 1911.

Groote Schuur viewed from the South.

Previous owners:

1791

The Dutch East India Company sold De Schuur to Hendrik Christiaan Herholdt.

1798

Sold to Nicholas Gulde, whom transferred the property to Johannes Pieter Baumgradt on the day of purchase.

1802

Sold to Willem Stephanus van Rijneveld.

1812

David Anosi bought De Schuur (changed the name to De Groote Schuur).

1825

Anosi sold to Abraham de Smidt (officially transferred only in 1832)

1868

Groote Schuur inherited by De Smidt's nephew, Abraham de Smidt, the younger.

1878

Groote Schuur bought by Hester van der Byl and renamed 'The Grange'.

1891

Cecil John Rhodes leased The Grange from Mrs van der Byl.

1892

Herbert Baker engaged by Rhodes to redesign the house.

1893

Rhodes concluded the purchase of The Grange and restored the name 'Groote Schuur'. Judge Sir William Westbrooke Burton bought the small south-east portion called 'Onder Schuur' in 1828 and renamed it Westbrooke, later renamed Genadendal.

On 5 May 1990, then State President F W de Klerk and ANC Deputy President Nelson Mandela after the first round of talks between the government and the ANC. Both groups agreed to commitment to work towards a peaceful process of negotiation. This agreement is referred to as the Groote Schuur Minute.

Cecil John Rhodes died in his cottage at Muizenberg on 26 March 1902. His body lay in state in Groote Schuur's inner hall. He was burried in the Matoppo Hills in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.

The following state leaders lived in the house:
1911 - Louise Botha
1919 - Jan Smuts
1924 - JBM Hertzog
1939 - Jan Smuts
1948 - DF Malan
1954 - JG Strydom
1958 - HF Verwoerd
1966 - BJ Vorster
1979 - Marais Viljoen
1984 - PW Botha
1991 - FW de Klerk
Currently in use as residence by Deputy President Zuma.

Rhodes's Seaside Cottage Museum in Muizenberg is open to the public every day from 10h00 to 18h00. Conducted Tours of this stately home can be arranged by contacting the curator, Alta Kriel at +27 (0)21 873 6789.