This was situated almost opposite the Rustenburg Estate, and was used as a camping ground by Batavian forces during the first British invasion of the Cape. However, following an outbreak of dysentery among the troop, they were moved to higher ground at Wynberg. It continued to be used as a camp for British forces for a number of years, and in 1855 the Rector of St Paul's Church, Rondebosch, was granted the right to graze his cattle on the land. At the same time two pieces of land adjoining the Common were granted to the Wesleyan and Muslim communities to be used as graveyards. It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 29 September 1961.
What remains of this original Settlement is today central to Rondebosch - a large greenbelt, known as the Rondebosch Common and a National Monument - loved by the community and home to a number of unique indigenous plant species. Rondebosch has some beautiful examples of Victorian homes and first-rate renditions of Sir Herbert Baker architecture. Rondebosch Common is unusual - it is not state, Municipal or Regional Council Land. In fact it is a donation of private Land by Cecil John Rhodes in his will to be left as a permanent open space for the people of Cape Town. It is also a National Monument and one of the best-known Landmarks in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. It Conserves one of the only remaining pockets of Critically Endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, a type of Fynbos that occurs only in Cape Town.
Rondebosch Common also preserves a few patches of Renosterveld and a Seasonal Wetland. There are hundreds of Plant Species that occur in Rondebosch Common, at least nine of which are on the Red Data List. Small Mammals and over 110 species of bird are also protected by the Common, despite its location in the midst of the Suburbs.
The Common borders Park Road, Milner Road, Klipfontein Road and Campground - the latter referring to the common's past use as a military camp. Troops were apparently regularly Stationed on the Common, even up until the Second World War.
Today the path around the Rondebosch Common is popular for Jogging, Walking dogs and Exercising. The Local 'Rondebosch Run' and 'Walk for Life' branch regularly use the path. It is a little bit of Cape Town all together, with Table Mountain and UCT as a Backdrop.
In 2011 there was an unusual case of fire on the common and more recently it has made the news as the stage for a protest called 'Take back the Commons' where protesters felt that their Arrest and the Involvement of police action was both 'illegal' and 'overkill'.
