In 1652, the indigenous people of the land that is now South Africa, an estimated 100,000 Khoi-Khoi and 10,000 San lived throughout the land. To ensure a supply of fresh meat for passing fleets, the VOC decided not to raise cattle but instead to trade with the pastoral Khoi-Khoi. Van Riebeeck emphasised the importance of maintaining good relations with the Khoi-Khoi to secure the cattle trade.
