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From: Erol Gericke <>
Subject: Land Ownership
Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2000 23:01:06 +0200

In researching the GERICKE family and their original farm,
Geelhoutboom in the district of George, I find myself
abysmally ignorant on the subject of ownership/occupation.
Taking Geelhoutboom as an example I presume that all land
originally belonged to the government of the day. The first
mention of Geelhoutboom I have been able to trace is in a
document signed by ? at the Castle in Cape Town in ?. This
document gives Johan Godfried Gericke the right to graze
(and sleep on ?) Geelhoutboom. I suspect that others had
previously enjoyed this right.

Is this the system called 'Huurpag'. No mention is made of
payment but one must assume that there was some payment due.
Did he have the right to build a house on the farm and what
happened if he lost the grazing rights.

In 1816 Lord Charles Somerset granted Perpetual Quitrent
(Erfpag ?) to Johan Godfried GERICKE at the cost of Thirty
One Rixdollars per year. Does this contract really never
end. The owner presumably has the right to sell and pass
the obligation for the annual payment on to the buyer. The
farm was partitioned in 1899. Presumably the new/additional
owners now have to pay pro rata with respect to the area.

Is there a Dummy's Guide to this situation available
anywhere.

Cheers,
Erol.

This thread:

• Land Ownership by Erol Gericke <>