 The Holtzhausen, Reyneke, Joubert, van Rooyen, Niewoudt and Visagie families are among the earliest settler-pioneers of 1705-06.The Picquet commando was established in 1711 by the VOC and consisted of a squad of 15 Riflemen of the Militia and a single 80 mm field cannon for protection against depredations of natives and wild animals.The cannon-fire protected the European-descended farming community from the attacks of the indigenous groups, the "Gonjemans".