When the rule of the Dutch East India Company fell in 1795 and the Swellendam citizens called their own Republic into existence, he was elected as president.

[1] He was born and baptized in 1743 near Bruintjies River, which was then the border of the Dutch Cape Colony.

He farmed with his father, Hermanus Steyn d'Oude at Bruintjiesfontein near Swellendam until 1773, where he soon commanded respect from his neighbours.

[3] His father was elected as part of the home council of Swellendam various times.

[4] Simon Kick, the famous Dutch Painter, was his 3rd great-grandfather on his mother's side, Hendrik Potgieter, the Voortrekker, was his cousin's son, also on his mother's side and Marthinus Prinsloo, the President of the Republic of Graaff-Reinet[5] was his 2nd cousin, also on his mother's side.