Muizenberg residents were amused to witness a cannon blast at Het Posthuys to commemorate the Battle of Muizenberg.

The event was recently hosted by Muizenberg Heritage, in collaboration with the Gri Guriqau Xam Research Institute and the Cannon Association of South Africa (CAOSA).

Het Posthuys Museum, located in Main Road in one of South Africa’s one of South Africa’s oldest extant buildings, tells the story of the 1795 battle that changed the course of South African history.

Heritage milestone

The commemoration follows the official declaration of the Battle of Muizenberg site as a Provincial Heritage Site (PHS). Heritage Western Cape (HWC) formally gazetted the site on Friday 27 March this year, following a nomination submitted by the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management Department in 2024.

The City welcomed the declaration as a significant step towards preserving the metro’s rich and layered past.

Historic conflict

The Battle of Muizenberg brought the conflict of the French Revolutionary Wars to South African shores.

In the winter of 1794, French troops entered the Dutch Republic. In response, Great Britain launched operations against the Dutch colonial empire to prevent its facilities from being used by the French Navy.

The British expedition, led by Vice-Admiral Sir George Elphinstone, sailed in April 1795 and arrived off Simon’s Town in June.

Attempts to negotiate a settlement with the colony failed, and an amphibious landing was made on 7 August.

A short battle was fought at Muizenberg, with skirmishing between British and Dutch forces continuing until September, when a larger military force landed.

With Cape Town under threat, Dutch governor Abraham Josias Sluysken surrendered the colony, allowing Britain to gain control of the important Indian trade route.

Community voices

Chris Taylor, an expert on the battle, provided insight into what led to the conflict and what unfolded on the slopes of the Muizenberg mountains.

Cedric Schell of the Gri Guriqau Xam Research Institute offered a perspective on the contribution of the Corps Pandoeren to the battle.

Martin Venter and Theo van Der Merwe of CAOSA prepared the cannons, while the head girl and head boy of Muizenberg Junior School lit the fuses.

Heritage Day firing

Anyone who missed Saturday’s firing will have another opportunity on Heritage Day, Thursday 24 September, when the cannon at Het Posthuys will be fired again at 11:45.

As Venter explained, the firing will form part of CAOSA’s national cannon call-up.

Cannons across the Cape Peninsula will be fired in sequence, linking up with Cape Town’s Noon Gun and extending the call to other parts of South Africa.

The initiative aims to connect communities through the country’s cannon heritage and create a symbolic rolling salute for Heritage Day.

Organisers hope Saturday’s successful event and the Heritage Day firing to follow will encourage more people to visit Het Posthuys and engage with the rich and layered history of the Battle of Muizenberg site.

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