

The first Khoikhoi person to be groomed as an intermediary was called Coree. He was kidnapped by the crew of a ship named Hector in May 1613 and taken to England where he was taught English. In June 1614, Coree was returned to the Cape, and contrary to the British expectations, his return made trading with the Khoikhoi more difficult. This is attributed to Coree’s dislike of England and his resentment of the treatment he received whilst in England. Nevertheless, Coree reportedly saw advantages to the establishment of a permanent European settlement and decided to use the Europeans to advance his own regional interests. He did this by encouraging them to attack his Khoikhoi rivals, and by building up his own flocks and herds under European protection. Coree was reportedly killed by the Dutch in 1626, for refusing to give them food.