Search is on for Groot Constantia’s 300-year-old brass slave bell

The historic brass slave bell at Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine-producing farm, has been stolen, and police and the wine estate are appealing for the public’s help to find it.

According to Groot Constantia, the 300-year-old bell was stolen in the early morning hours of Sunday September 1.

A case of theft has been opened at the Diep River police station.

The bell, which is 30 to 35 cm in both height and width, weighs about 110kg, is notable for its green discolouration.

“The theft of heritage objects is a serious criminal offence that continues to rob South Africans of irreplaceable national assets. These valuable objects help us understand and recognise our past and contribute to creating an inclusive South Africa,” said Dr Bongani Ndhlovu, the acting CEO of Iziko Museums.

“The slave bell is an integral part of enslaved people’s history within the Dutch Cape Colonies. Many farms used the bells to call slaves to work and regulate their lives. Conservation of our history and heritage is essential for future generations to learn about. The theft represents a part of our history being stolen,” said Souad Abrahams, from the Centre for Conservation Education, in Wynberg.

Jean Naudé, CEO of Groot Constantia, thanked all those who had offered to help the farm find the bell, and he called on everyone to help retrieve it.

According to Constantia Watch, this is the second brass bell stolen in the Constantia area in the past two years. A brass bell was stolen at Peddlars Restaurant and Bar in Spaanschemat River Road in November 2022.

In that incident, camera footage had shown the occupants of a silver Mitsubishi bakkie, with false number plates, stealing the bell, which had still not been recovered, said watch chairman Trevor Vroom.

Contact Groot Constantia at enquiries@grootconstantia.co.za or call 021 794 5128 if you have any information that can lead to the retrieval of the bell.