History
The estate has a rich history, evidence of which is the original 1700’s farmhouse that still stands on the estate, now carefully restored and renovated.
There are many twists and turns in the history of the farm, from battles between human and nature, to all the tales between Dutch, locals, and everything in between that was typical of the wild 1600’s and 1700’s in Cape Town.
What we can learn of the history of the farm and its earliest inhabitants, rely on the accuracy we can derive from the record-keeping and documentation of historians. While we have attempted to weave a rough timeline below, the only ones who can verify all the facts are those who lived through it!
What we do know from archives is that Hendrick Corneliszoon Olivier arrived in Caap de Goede Hoop in 1667 as vryburger
Hendrik was working for his future Mother in-law. Trijntie Theunissen Van Harmelen, aka Catharina T. (Ganzevanger) Verwey widow of Gysbert Verwe, when they both received criminal sentences for The stealing and slaughtering of two Cows.
Quite the partners in crime, Olivier soon became Trijntie’s son-in-law when he married her daughter Beatrice or Beatrix Verweij on 30 May 1677 in the Dutch Reformed church, Cape of Good Hope, almost 10 years after his arrival.
Olivier passed away and left one section of land next to de Rievier de Liesbeecq (Liesbeek River) and one section of land in Tigerbergen (Tygerberg) or what we now call Clara Anna Fontein. On the inventory after Olivier’s death (Olivier-118.pdf (wikitree.com)) there is no mention of the name of the farm.
Beatrix proved quite the farmer with Böeseken & Cairns records stating “The redoubtable Beatrix Verwey, widow of Hendrik Olivier after Jan Haermse Potgieter the first recorded person to have been granted grazing rights in the region, because of her extensive agricultural activities throughout the Cape district, particular in the Tygerberg area, she was called “Landbouweresse”.
Archives state that Beatrix sold the farm to Michiel Heijns Jr, and it’s during his ownership that we find references to Clara Annaas Fonteijn around 1732.
Beatrix passed away around January 1741 in Tygerberg, surviving most of their nine children. Her daughter, Neeltje, was the mother of Louis and Clara Anna, but we cannot say for sure whether the farm was named after Beatrix’s granddaughter, who passed away in 1744.
Alas, the mystery of where the name Clara Anna Fontein originates from, has not yet been proven by historians.
In the almost 300 years from when Beatrix toiled the land, the farm passed hands many times. When Rabie Property Group entered into a joint venture with the landowner, the AFM Louw Family Trust in 2013 as a small game farm, known as the Clara Anna Fontein Game Reserve, the vision was to turn the property into the most sought-after lifestyle estate in the Northern suburbs.
2015
(Photo: Colin Green and Mariska Auret from the Rabie Property Group, with Berti Louw from AFM Family Trust, and Alwyn Laubscher from Alwyn Laubscher & Associates, in front of the Manor House at Clara Anna Fontein.)
(Read more here: Approval For Durbanville Estate (rabie.co.za))
Today, a sprawling Lifestyle Centre is the nucleus of Clara Anna Fontein. Juxta-positioned next to the original farmhouse, a wood, glass and steel structure with large flowing rooms and deck makes the most of the incredible vistas. The original farmhouse of Hendrik and Beatrix Olivier has been lovingly and carefully restored and renovated, seamlessly incorporating the clubhouse. Besides it’s partially covered furnished deck, it offers meeting rooms and a lounge for the use of residents and guests. The games room and boma can also be reserved for private functions.
Rabie’s Joint Venture partners, The Louw Family, specifically Berti Louw, was very professional and ensured all game were moved to the top end of the farm without undue stress to the animals. They still have access to the waterhole opposite the Lifestyle Centre, which makes for some spectacular sundowner views. Some of the animals on the reserve include zebra, springbok, bontebok, ostrich and eland.
