Despite her remarkable life and legacy, Anna De Koning remains a relatively unknown figure in history. However, a new children's book aims to shed light on her extraordinary journey and make her a household name.
Anna arrived in the Cape Colony as an enslaved child from Bengal in the 17th century. Remarkably, she rose from these humble beginnings to become one of the colony's wealthiest and most influential women.
Author Lauren Jacobs spent years researching Anna's life to bring her story to young readers. "I was struck by the fact that we can visit places Anna owned, like Groot Constantia," says Jacobs. She believes that teaching children about the women who shaped Cape Town will foster pride and love for their ancestors.
Anna's portrait, the only known painting of a freed slave woman in 17th-century Cape Town, serves as a testament to her resilience and strength. She inherited her husband's entire estate after his death, leaving her with substantial wealth.
Jacobs hopes that schools will incorporate her book into their curriculum, providing children with a more inclusive and diverse narrative of their history.
Anna arrived in the Cape Colony as an enslaved child from Bengal in the 17th century. Remarkably, she rose from these humble beginnings to become one of the colony's wealthiest and most influential women.
Author Lauren Jacobs spent years researching Anna's life to bring her story to young readers. "I was struck by the fact that we can visit places Anna owned, like Groot Constantia," says Jacobs. She believes that teaching children about the women who shaped Cape Town will foster pride and love for their ancestors.
Anna's portrait, the only known painting of a freed slave woman in 17th-century Cape Town, serves as a testament to her resilience and strength. She inherited her husband's entire estate after his death, leaving her with substantial wealth.
Jacobs hopes that schools will incorporate her book into their curriculum, providing children with a more inclusive and diverse narrative of their history.
By highlighting Anna De Koning's remarkable achievements, the book seeks to inspire future generations and remind them that even those from the most challenging circumstances can make significant contributions to society.
