The story of the Post Office Tree dates back to the year 1500 when Pedro de Ataide, a commander of one of Pedro Álvares Cabral’s ships left an important letter in a boot near a large Milkwood tree that warned of trouble close to Calcutta. The letter was found a year later by Joao da Nova, commander of the third East India fleet who was on his way to India. The tree became a national monument and is recognised as South Africa’s first post office.