Steven Jansz Botma

Steven Jansz Botma was a sailor who became one of the Cape's first free burghers. In February 1657 he led Stevens Colonie, also called Hollantsche Thuijn or Hollandsche Tuijn, a group of four free burghers farming near the Liesbeeck. The group cultivated crops and raised livestock under conditions set by the VOC.

In 1659 Botma served as sergeant of the first burgher militia, with Herman Remajenne and Wouter Cornelisz Mostert as corporals. The militia drilled with firearms and supported the VOC garrison during the early conflict around the Liesbeeck farms.