BIOGRAPHIES OF NAMIBIAN
PERSONALITIES
in alphabetical order
KLAUS DIERKS
Copyright © 2003-2004 Dr. Klaus Dierks
D
000011
Dahlmann, Kurt
[Stachus - pen name]
[Kaktusblüte - pen name]
* .1918 at Königsberg, Germany (now Russian Federation)
First entry to Namibia: 1958
---
Kurt Dahlmann was born in 1918 in Königsberg, East Prussia (then Germany, now in Russia).
He obtained his schooling in Danzig with the "Abitur" in 1936. He was German
soldier (Air Force) in World War II. He studied law in Kiel and became a journalist in
Kiel. From 1958 to 1978 he was working for the German language daily "Allgemeine
Zeitung" in Windhoek and became later the editor of the newspaper (01.09.1960). In
March 1959 he suggested a loose federation of SA and SWA. At a
later stage, his cautious call for a more realistic attitude towards the
liberation struggle was perceived as too liberal among sections of the Namibian German
community, and he was ousted from the "Allgemeine Zeitung" when the newspaper
was bought by the conservative Dr. Dieter Lauenstein with German financial backing
(Hanns-Seidel Foundation), allegedly from the CSU party. From 1979 to 1984 he was involved
in tourism and advertising. From September 1984 to 1985 he was the editor of the newly
founded German language weekly "Namibia Nachrichten" which was funded through
German government sources.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: Journalism
Profession: Journalist
Functions: Editor - Allgemeine Zeitung - 1958-1978
Editor - Namibia Nachrichten
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
001975
Dallen
*
---
Dallen was a European at Stewardson's place near Aris in August 1863. Further details
unknown.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:28;
001362
Dame, Colonel
* in Germany
---
Colonel Dame was the commanding officer in German SWA after Trotha's demise on 19.11.1905.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:220-222, 360; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000372
Dammann, Ernst, Prof. Dr.
* 06.05.1904 at Pinneberg, Germany
---
Ernst Dammann was born on 06.05.1904 at Pinneberg in Germany. He was a theologian and
linguist. He served as a pastor in Germany from 1929 to 1933, and Tanzania from 1933 to
1936. In 1940 he became lector in African languages at Hamburg University. He was a
professor of African studies at the Humboldt University in Berlin, 1957-1962 and the
Marburg University, 1962-1973. Dammann made several field research trips to Namibia and
did linguistic studies on Otjiherero and Oshindonga, with numerous publications. He was
married to Ruth Dammann, née Scholtiseck (1911-) in 1932.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL LAN
Married to: Ruth Dammann, née Scholtiseck (1911-), married 1932-
Collections/Papers:
1). Basler Afrika Bibliographien (personal papers and sound recordings relating to
Namibia)
000747
Dammann, Ruth
[Scholtiseck, Ruth - birth name]
* 30.06.1911 at Breslau, Germany (now Poland)
---
Ruth Dammann was born on 30.06.1911 at Breslau in Germany (now Poland). She was the wife
of theologian and linguist Ernst Dammann. She accompanied him on several journeys to
Namibia, where she recorded orature.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: LAN
Married to: Ernst Dammann (1904-), married 1932-
Collections/Papers:
1). Basler Afrika Bibliographien (orature recordings)
RAW DATA: Namibiana vol.4, no.2;
001364
Daneel, John
*
---
John Daneel was a Cape Town merchant who in 1856 became the director of the short-lived
Phoenix Mining Company.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
RAW DATA: Cape Archives GH 21/17;
000460
Dannert, Gustav Heinrich Eduard
[Dannert, Eduard]
* 30.07.1849 at Vörde, Germany
+ .1924
First entry to Namibia: 1874
---
Gustav Heinrich Eduard Dannert was born on 30.07.1849 at Vörde in Germany. He was a
missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft. He arrived in Otjimbingwe in 1874, and
founded the mission station Omburo on 16.05.1876. Later he lived in Omaruru. He died in
1924. He was married to Auguste Dannert, née Dahl in 1877.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Rhenish Missionary
Married to: Auguste Dannert, née Dahl, married 1877-
Children: Elisabeth Kuhlmann (married Dannert)(1878-)
Eduard Dannert
Hans Dannert (1882-)
Hedwig Wetschky (married Dannert)(1884-)
Helene Heyse (married Dannert)(1886-)
Friedel Dannert (1889-)
Otto Dannert (1890-)
Willy Dannert (11894-)
Collections/Papers:
1). Private collection of E. Doll
2). NAN: copy of no.1
RAW DATA: Otto-Reiner 1991;
000523
Dannert, Julius
* 13.10.1858 at Vörde, Germany
+ 19.10.1897 at Otjimbingwe
---
Julius Dannert was born on 13.10.1858 at Vörde in Germany. He worked for the missionary
trader Hälbich as a smith, but established himself independently as a transport rider and
trader in Otjimbingwe by 1887. He was married to Johanna Schaffranck. Due to his critical
attitude towards the colonial government, Dannert's relations with his brother Eduard, the
missionary, and other settlers seem to have been strained, whereas his relations to Nama
and Ovaherero customers were reported to be based on mutual respect. He died on 19.10.1897
at Otjimbingwe.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Johanna Dannert, née Schaffranck
Namibia National Archives Database
000524
Dausab, Daniel
*
---
Daniel Dausab was attached to the mission station at Hoachanas between 1867 (1869?) and
1905, mostly as a school teacher. As Timotheus Sneeue's brother-in-law, he was brought by
Rhenish Missionary Olpp from the Cape Colony in South Africa as a young man or boy. As
from 1890, the missionaries commented on Dausab's strong anti-Witbooi (and anti-German)
feelings and vanishing interest in mission work. Apparently Dausab's final withdrawal from
the mission led Rhenish Missionary Judt to close the station Hoachanas late in 1891. It
seems that Dausab's anti-Witbooi feelings led him to mobilise several Ovaherero chiefs to
attack the Witbooi community in Gibeon in October 1891. According to Olpp, Dausab became a
"Witkam" and follower of Witbooi shortly afterwards. The timing of this is not
clear, and the precise context of his correspondence with Sneeue recorded in the Witbooi
journal could not be reconstructed. He left Hoachanas by the end of 1894, a dissatisfied
"cripple" who was no longer interested in working for the mission. In 1904 he
joined Stuurman and Hendrik Witbooi in the Great Resistance War against the Germans.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL EDU
Children: Johannes Dausab
Namibia National Archives Database
001365
Dausab, Daniel
* in Namibia
---
Daniel Dausab was a schoolmaster in Rehoboth. He joined the breakaway movement from the
Rhenish Missionary Society to AMEC in 1946.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
RAW DATA: Schlosser 1958:107;
001366
Dausab, Gert
*
---
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Namibia National Archives Database
000525
Dausab, Johannes
*
---
Johannes Dausab was the brother of Daniel Dausab. However, Daniel also had a son named
Johannes, and the reference in the Witbooi Journal could be to either. Budack (1972:994)
noted that Johannes Dausab was an official and "kornet" under Manasse !Noreseb
from Hoachanas.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001367
Dausab, Johannes
*
---
Johannes Dausab was an evangelist of the Rhenish Mission in Keetmanshoop. Later he joined
the breakaway to the AMEC in 1946.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
RAW DATA: Schlosser 1958:107;
001369
David, Salomon
*
---
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Namibia National Archives Database
001370
Davids, Nikodemus
* in Namibia
---
Nikodemus Davids was a schoolmaster in Bethany in 1903.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: JBRGM 1903:15;
000461
Davidson, Basil
*
---
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: WRI
Collections/Papers:
1). School of Oriental and African Studies, London
001371
Davis
*
---
Davis was Chairman of the Board of the South West Africa Company.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:345;
000748
Davis, Nissen Avroy Alan
* 21.11.1933 at Windhoek
---
Nissen Avroy Allan Davis was born on 21.11.1933 at Windhoek and was educated at the
Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg in South Africa. He was a journalist, advertising
contractor and estate agent. He was an editor of the SWA Annual and correspondent of SAPA,
Associated Press and leading South African newspapers. He was married to Pamela Davis,
née Warder in 1955.
---
Gender: m
Profession: Journalist
Married to: Pamela Davis, née Warder, married 1955-
Father: Sam Davis
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
000749
Davis, Philis
* 30.11.1913 at Oudtshoorn, South Africa
---
Philis Davis was born on 30.11.1913 at Oudtshoorn in South Africa. He was a dental
surgeon. He was the Chairperson of the English Dramatic Society Windhoek. He was married
to Diana Clare Davis, née Delmonte in 1941.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED
Profession: Dental surgeon
Married to: Diana Clare Davis, née Delmonte, married 1941-
Mother: Ray Davis
Father: Benjamin Davis
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
000462
Davis, Samuel
[Davis, Sam]
* 09.12.1903 at Primrose, South Africa
---
Samuel Davis was born on 09.12.1903 at Primrose in South Africa. He was educated at the
Durban High School. He came to Namibia in 1927 and opened a meat processing plant in
Walvis Bay. In 1931 he turned to journalism. He participated in World War II in the
intelligence service. He was a journalist and estate agent. He was the founder and editor
of the "SWA Annual", chair of SWA Publicity and Tourist Association, as well as
a Member of the Windhoek City Council. He was married to Sera Davis, née Levin.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: Journalism
Profession: Journalist
Married to: Sera Davis, née Levin
Father: Lionel Davis
Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.256 (Papers relevant to SWA Annual)
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959, 1974;
002154
Dawids, Dawid, Patriarch King, Riemvasmaker
* .1840
+ .1940
---
The "Patriarch King", Dawid Dawids (1840-1940), of a Namibian community called
the "Riemvasmakers", was born in or around 1840. He is believed to have been an
Omuherero whose descendants were suppressed by the Nama. Dawids later led his group, also
called Nama speaking Ovaherero (Herero-Orlams) through the south of Namibia to the
northwestern Cape Colony in the 1860s, to settle in the Augrabies area (later, after their
return from South Africa in 1895, they were relocated at Vaalgras/Koichas
(|Hai-|Gâsib)(1908)). Oral history has it hat during the drought 1829/30 these Ovaherero
moved south where they came into conflict with the local Nama communities (||Oaseb of the
Kai||khaun in alliance with Jonker Afrikaner of the Orlam Afrikaners)(Goman torob: the
Cattle War). It is also thought that these Herero-Orlams were direct descendants of
Ovaherero prisoners-of-war during the Orlam wars in the 1860s.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000763
De Beer, Barend Alexander Leonardus
* 31.10.1934 at Springbok, South Africa
---
Barend Alexander Leonardus de Beer was born on 31.10.1934 at Springbok in South Africa. He
was educated in Keetmanshoop, Windhoek, the University of South Africa. He was an
Auditor and Partner of P.J. Malherbe & Co. He was married to Sienie Petra de
Beer, née van der Walt in 1960.
---
Gender: m
Profession: Auditor
Married to: Sienie Petra de Beer, née van der Walt, married 1960-
Father: Willem de Beer
Namibia National Archives Database
000657
De Beer, Dave
* at Johannesburg, South Africa
---
Dave de Beer was born and educated in Johannesburg. In 1969 he was expelled by the South
African Government from northern Namibia where he was working in the hospital in Odibo. In
1972 he was expelled from Namibia altogether, along with his employer, Bishop Colin
Winter. De Beer then joined the Christian Institute in Johannesburg but was
"banned" one month later. In 1974 he claimed Dutch nationality and left South
Africa to work with Colin Winter in the UK. In 1976 he moved to the Netherlands to do
publicity work for Namibia and Namibian churches with the Working Group Kairos in Utrecht.
He is the author of several books and many articles on Namibian issues.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
RAW DATA: Allies in apartheid, 1988;
000764
De Bruin, Cors
* 08.08.1921 at Hilversum, Netherlands
First entry to Namibia: 1947
---
Cors de Bruin was a dealer and specialist in mineral specimens, owner of a large
mineralogical collection. He was married to Ursula Elizabeth De Bruyn, née Dahms in 1954.
---
Gender: m
Married to: Ursula Elizabeth De Bruyn, née Dahms, married 1954
Father: Johannes De Bruyn
Namibia National Archives Database
001977
De Bruyn, Pieter
*
---
Pieter de Bruyn was a hunter. In 1738 or 1739 he was hunting elephants at the Oranje
River, and probably crossed the river into Great Namaqualand.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:29;
000765
De Jager, Christoffel Lombard
* 16.06.1934 at Windhoek
---
Christoffel Lombard de Jager was born on 16.06.1934 at Windhoek and was educated at
Windhoek High School and the University at Stellenbosch in South Africa. He practised as
an attorney at Walvis Bay since 01.06.1959. He was a Member of the Legislative Assembly
since May 1970. He was married to Elsa Renate de Jager, née Wilhelm in 1962.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL LAW
Profession: Lawyer
Married to: Elsa Renate de Jager, née Wilhelm, married 1962-
Father: Roelof Jacobus Beukes
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
000766
De Jong, Jacob
* 12.11.1898 at Amsterdam, Netherlands
First entry to Namibia: 1916
---
Jacob de Jong was born on 12.11.1898 at Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He was educated at
the Gymnasium at Paarl in South Africa. He was a pioneer in establishing a modern meat
canning factory and industry in Namibia. He was a cattle farmer and commander of the Boy
Scouts.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS AGR
Profession: Businessman Farmer
Married to: , married 1933
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
001374
De Jongh
*
---
De Jongh accompanied Heinrich Vogelsang in 1884 on his way to Bethany.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Esterhuyse 1968:39;
000767
De Klerk, Jacobus Johannes
* 10.01.1920 at Upington, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1941
---
Jacobus Johannes de Klerk was born on 10.01.1920 at Upington in South Africa. He was
educated at the Paarl Commercial College. He emigrated to Namibia in 1941 and was the
General Manager of SWA Amalgamated Auctioneers. He was married to Joachemina Paulina de
Klerk, née Kotze in 1944.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Joachemina Paulina de Klerk, née Kotze, married 1944
Father: D.S. de Klerk
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
000768
De La Bat, Bernabé Jean Gerard
* 20.01.1928 at Worcester, South Africa
---
Bernabé Jean Gerard de la Bat was born on 20.01.1928 at Worcester in South Africa. He was
educated at the Boys High School, Worcester and the Stellenbosch University. He was a
Director of Nature Conservation and Tourism of the SWA Administration. He held many
honorary positions in the SWA Mountain Club, S.A. Academy for Arts and Science, SA
National Council for Nature Conservation, SA National Commission for Environmental
Sciences, SA National Commission for the Environment, SA Nature Conservation Coordinating
Committee, Namib Desert Research Association, SA Association of Arts (SWA Branch), SWA
Scientific Society and the SA Wildlife Foundation. He was married to Hetta de la Bat, née
van der Merwe in 1954.
---
Gender: m
Married to: Hetta de la Bat, née van der Merwe, married 1954
Father: Gabriel de Vos de la Bat
Children:
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
001976
Deary, Frederick C.
*
---
Frederick C. Deary was a trader, concessionaire. He traded at Natboud at least between
1874-1876.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:28;
001372
Deininger, Wolfgang
* 01.10.1882 in Germany
---
Wolfgang Deininger was born on 01.10.1882 in Germany. He was a Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:223;
001373
Deistel
*
---
Deistel was a gardener in Cameroon who got Nama prisoners assigned for labour and reported
about their pitiful condition to Berlin.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:359;
000527
Demmler, Friedrich Christian Georg
*
+ 01.10.1901 at sea between Namibia and Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1898
Last departure from Namibia: 1901
---
Friedrich Christian Georg Demmler was a lieutenant of the Schutztruppe. He arrived in
Namibia in July 1898. He deputised for Bezirksamtmann v. Burgsdorff while the latter was
on home leave in 1900. He contracted malaria and was shipped home three years later, but
died aboard the ship on 01.10.1901.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Lau 1995:230; NAN A.648; NAN NLA 24 D.26;
000769
Dempers, Cornelius Nicolaas
* 07.02.1898 at Ceres, South Africa
---
Cornelius Nicolaas Dempers was born on 07.02.1898 at Ceres in South Africa. He was a
businessman and Managing Director of C. Dempers & Co. He was mMarried to Letia
Dempers, née Wait in 1929.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Letia Dempers, née Wait, married 1929
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
000440
Dempwolff, Otto Heinrich August Louis
* 25.05.1871 at Pillau, Germany (now Russian Federation)
+ .1938
First entry to Namibia: 1899
Last departure from Namibia: 1905
---
Otto Heinrich August Louis Dempwolff was born on 25.05.1871 at Pillau, Ostpreussen
(Germany, now Russian Federation). He studied at Königsberg, Marburg, Leipzig, Berlin and
Tübingen in Germany. He graduated as a medical doctor. He worked from 1895 to 1897 as a
medical officer of the "Neuguinea-Kompagnie" and from 1898 to 1911 as medical
officer of the Schutztruppe in several German colonies. His first entry to Namibia was in
1899 (?). Between 1904 and 1905 he was in the rank of "Stabsarzt" stationed at
Grootfontein. Already during his medical work, Dempwolff followed his interest in
linguistic studies. While in Namibia, he studied Nama and Otjiherero. Later he was
teaching languages at the "Hamburger Kolonialinstitut", specialising in
Melanesian languages, but he also published about Nama and several East African languages.
He died in 1938.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED LIN
Profession: Medical doctor
RAW DATA: Deutsches Koloniallexikon;
001375
Denker, A.
* in Germany
---
A. Denker was a German farmer. He was infamous for his maltreatment of farm workers.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR
RAW DATA: Drechsler 166:155;
001376
Denker, Richard
*
---
Richard Denker was one of the few Germans who publicly denounced the killing of Namibian
prisoners-of-war during the German Namibian War of 1903 to 1908.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:360;
000137
De Pass, Aaron
* .1815 at Kings Lynn, England
+ 09.1877 at London, England
---
Aaron de Pass was born in 1815 at Kings Lynn in the United Kingdom. He was a merchant and
shipping entrepreneur from the South African Cape Colony since 1846. Besides exploiting
the marine resources off the coast of Namibia (for which purpose he established stations
at Walvis Bay, Sandwich Harbour and Ichaboe), he was also active in the copper mining
activities in Namibia during the 1850. Aaron de Pass had commenced fishing operations at
Walvis Bay in 1852, while Barry Munnik from Cape Town had established himself in this
industry in early 1859, and William Latham was fishing there in the late 1860s. The fish
was generally dried and then exported to Mauritius. Owing to the inadequate
infrastructure, there was too much sand in the dried fish. As a result the prices received
for the final fish product were so low that the venture did not prove economically
feasible. Small-scale fishing operations and whaling did, however, continue. Aaron de Pass
was married to Esther da Costa. He died in September 1877 in London.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman
Married to: Esther De Pass, née Da Costa
RAW DATA: Lau 1989:298; Phillips: The Pomona story; DSAB I:220; Tabler 1973:1; Wilken et al, 1978:56-58; Berichte, 1853:283;
001377
De Pass, Daniel
*
---
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Namibia National Archives Database
000390
Dernburg, Bernhard
* 17.07.1865 at Darmstadt, Germany
+ 14.10.1937 at Berlin, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1909
Last departure from Namibia: 1909
---
Bernhard Dernburg was born on 17.07.1865 at Darmstadt in Germany. He was a director of the
Darmstädter Bank, and many other financial institutions. He was appointed
Kolonialdirektor in 1905. He was the Staatssekretär in charge of the newly founded
Reichskolonialamt between 1906 and 1910. In 1919 he co-founded the Deutsche Demokratische
Partei, a liberal party. Dernburg visited Namibia in 1908. His policy in support of a
state monopoly for the newly discovered Namibian diamonds made him extremely unpopular
among German settlers in the colony. He died on 14.10.1937 in Berlin.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Banker
Collections/Papers:
1). Politisches Archiv des Auswärtigen Amtes Berlin (was there in 1938; no longer in this
institution, fate unknown; possibly identical with no.2)
2). Bundesarchiv Koblenz (Personal papers 1900-1937: Speeches; papers on travels,
particularly from his colonial office time; private and official correspondence), * Might
contain material on his travel to Namibia
3). in private custody (allegedly lost in 1970)
RAW DATA: Hubatsch;
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks (Dernburg's visit to Omaruru,
1908)
000770
Detering, Karl Heinrich
* 24.07.1907 at Gaub
+ 02.12.1999 at Windhoek
---
Karl Heinrich Detering was born on 24.07.1907 at Gaub as son of Wilhelm Detering. He was
educated at the Humanistisches Gymnasium Gütersloh, Germany. From 1928 to 1930 he was a
clerk for the Rheinborn AG in Borneo, Indonesia. From 1931 to 1932 he served as a private
secretary to the Managing Director of the Otavi Minen und Eisenbahn Gesellschaft (OMEG)
Company in Namibia. From 1933 to 1935 he was a bookkeeper for the Rietfontein Farming Co.
From 1935 to 1937 he was a business traveller for various Namibian firms. From 1938 to
1940 he served as the manager of the Farm Gaub. From 1940 to 1947 he was interned at
Andalusia and Baviaanspoort in South Africa. From 1947 to 1955 he served as the Branch
Manager of Taeuber & Cohrssen SWA in Otjiwarongo. From 1955 to 1958 he was a traveller
for Brockmann & Kriess and from 1958 1968 Assistant Manager of the South West
Breweries. He died on 02.12.1999 in Windhoek. He was married to Hertha Detering, née
Lichtenthaler in 1937.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman
Married to: Hertha Detering, née Lichtenthaler, married 1937- (?)
Mother: Auguste Detering, née Stocksiek
Father: Wilhelm Detering (1873-)
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
001378
Detering, Wilhelm
* 27.08.1873 at Sieker, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1901
---
Wilhelm Detering was born on 27.08.1873 at Sieker in Germany. He was a farmer for the
Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft at Gaub. His son was Karl Heinrich Detering. He was
married to Auguste Detering, née Stocksiek in 1903.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR
Married to: Auguste Detering, née Stocksiek, married 1903-
Children: Karl Heinrich Detering (1907-1999)
Namibia National Archives Database
000771
De Villiers, Daniel Jacobus
* 22.12.1930 at Wolmaransstad, South Africa
---
Daniel Jacobus de Villiers was born on 22.12.1930 at Wolmaransstad in South Africa. He was
educated at the Upington High School and the Stellenbosch University. He was a farmer, a
Member of the Karakul Board since 1958 and a Council Member of the Karakul Breeders
Association since 1961. He chaired the Grünau Farmers Association and he was a Commanding
Officer of the Karasburg Commando from 1967 to 1971. He was married to: Elizabeth De
Villiers, née Roentgen in 1956.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR
Profession: Farmer
Married to: Elizabeth De Villiers, née Roentgen, married 1956-
Father: Jan Daniel De Villiers
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
000253
De Villiers, Katharina
[Rath, Katharina - birth name]
* 21.05.1849
---
Katharina de Villiers was born on 21.05.1849. She was the eldest daughter of Rhenish
Missionary Johannes and Anna Rath. She was married to a Mr. De Villiers in Sarepta, and
lived in the Cape Colony in South Africa from 1878.
---
Gender: f
Married to: De Villiers
Mother: Anna Rath, née Jörris (1822-1859)
Father: Johannes Rath (1816-1903)
Namibia National Archives Database
000772
Devlin, Stanley William
* 31.03.1909 at Kimberley, South Africa
---
Stanley William Devlin was born on 31.03.1909 at Kimberley in South Africa. He was
educated at the Christian Bros. College in Kimberley and the University of the
Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. He was an Assistant General Manager of the CDM from 1944 to
1954 and a General Manager of CDM from 1955. He was married to Margaret Norah
Devlin, née Counihan in 1939.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ENG
Married to: Margaret Norah Devlin, née Counihan, married 1939-
Father: Thomas Devlin
RAW DATA: WWSA 1969;
000773
De Vylder, Gustav
* .1827 in Sweden
+ .1908 in Sweden
First entry to Namibia: 1873
Last departure from Namibia: 1875
---
Gustav de Vylder was born in 1827 in Sweden. He was originally a surveyor. He changed his
field to the study of insects and reptiles. In 1871, after having obtained a grant to
study and collect in South Africa, he left on the Swedish corvette Norrköping to South
America and ultimately Cape Town. He remained in the Cape Colony until the early part of
1873 when he left for Namibia. A Swedish tradesman, Bergvall, wishing to try his luck in
Namibia, asked De Vylder to help him in trading. Part of the trip was overland which gave
De Vylder time to collect specimens. For the next two years, he remained in Namibia
concentrating on the northern part and establishing his headquarters at Omaruru which by
this time had a number of Scandinavians. De Vylder returned to Sweden in 1875, and much of
his collection was subsequently obtained by the Riksmuseum in Stockholm. From 1879 to
1887, he was in Cape Town where he continued his insect collection as well as wrote poetry
and other literary works. He kept diaries but never published his research. In 1897, he
again returned to Sweden. He died there in 1908.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Namibia National Archives Database
000774
De Wet, Johannes Marthinus
[De Wet, Jannie]
* 10.11.1927 at Rouxville, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1928
---
Johannes Marthinus de Wet was born on 10.11.1927 at Rouxville in South Africa. He was
educated at the Outjo Primary School, the Ficksburg High School and the University of the
Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. He was a technical officer to the Afrikander Cattle
Breeders Association from 1955 to 1957. He was the Chairman of the Northern Agricultural
and Industrial Show from 1959 to 1960. He served on many agricultural committees. De Wet
entered the South African Parliament as M.P. for the Namib Constituency in 1964. 1966, he
became the M.P. for Karas. He was appointed as Commissioner-General on 01 May 1970. During
his term of office, the migrant workers' general strike took place. He was married to
Lesinda De Wet, née Leroux-Preis in 1952.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR POL
Profession: Farmer Politician
Married to: Lesinda De Wet, née Leroux-Preis, married 1952-
Father: Gideon De Wet
RAW DATA: Dickie/Rake 1973. WWSA 1974.;
000463
Dickmann, Renee
* .1886 in Belgium
+ .?.1955
First entry to Namibia: 1914
---
Renee Dickmann was born as Dieckmann, probably in Belgium (in 1886), and came to South
Africa around the beginning of the First World War. He worked as a colonial officer and
administrator from 1915 into the 1920s in Ondangwa, Nkurenkuru and the Waterberg Reserve.
He is principally known for his vast collection of photographs from this period, which was
donated by his widow in 1955 to the South African Museum in Cape Town, and is now held by
the National Archives of Namibia. He was married to Steenie Maria Iris Dickmann, née
Smuts.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ADM
Married to: Steenie Maria Iris Dickmann, née Smuts
Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.333 (Photographs)
000416
Diehl, Else Karoline
* 10.02.1913 at Haiger, Dillkreis, Germany
+ 16.08.2002 at Windhoek
First entry to Namibia: 1938
---
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: REL
Married to: Hans-Karl Diehl, married 1938-.
Namibia National Archives Database
001379
Diehl, Hans Karl
* .1911
---
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Namibia National Archives Database
000138
Diehl, Hermine
[Schmidt, Hermine - birth name]
* 15.09.1840 at Naurod, Germany
+ 06.06.1879 at Okahandja
---
Hermine Diehl was born on 15.09.1840 at Naurod, Germany. She was the first wife of Philipp
Diehl (married on 21.01.1872). They had three children. She died on 06.06.1879 at
Okahandja.
---
Gender: f
Married to: Philipp Diehl (1837-1920), married 1872-1879
RAW DATA: Vergissmeinnicht 1893:51-52;
001380
Diehl, Jakob
[Diehl III]
* 08.08.1878 at Schwalbach, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1901
---
Jakob Diehl was born on 08.08.1878 at Schwalbach in Germany. He was a construction
technician employed by the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft. He came to Namibia in 1901. He
was also referred to as "Diehl III".
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
000139
Diehl, Philipp
[Diehl I]
* 18.05.1837 at Ehringshausen, Germany
+ 24.03.1920 at Usakos
First entry to Namibia: 1868
---
Philipp Diehl was born on 18.05.1837 at Ehringshausen in Germany. He was a missionary of
the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft who came to Okahandja with Johann Jakob Irle on 18 May
1870, and was present at the meeting held there in September 1870 between the Nama and
Ovaherero chiefs that resulted in the Peace Treaty of 23.09.1870, which Diehl witnessed.
Also referred to as "Diehl I". He worked at Okahandja from 1870 until at least
1890, when Maharero died there. He served as "Präses" (Preses) of the Herero
mission. He married twice: Hermine Schmidt (from 21.01.1872 to 06.06.1879) with three
children and Amalie Skoglund (28 March 1882) with two children. He died on 24.03.1920 at
Usakos.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married to: <1> Hermine Schmidt (1840-1879), married 1872-1879
<2> Amalie Skoglund, married 1882-
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:145, 162, 243, 245, 332. 348, 351; Tabler 1972:29;
Vergissmeinnicht 1893:51-52; Mossolow 1986:51;
001381
Diehl, Wilhelm
[Diehl II]
* 30.06.1877 at Okahandja
---
Wilhelm Diehl [Diehl II] was born on 30.06.1877 at Okahandja. He was a missionary of the
Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft. He was sent out in 1901. He was married to Eugenie Diehl,
née Schüler in 1906.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married to: Eugenie Diehl, née Schüler, married 1906-
Namibia National Archives Database
000775
Diekmann, Wilhelm Johannes
* 10.12.1890 at Osternburg, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1908
---
Wilhelm Johannes Diekmann was born on 10.12.1890 at Osternburg in Germany. He came to
Namibia in 1908 with his father. He was a farmer at Hamakari (Ohamakari) and other farms
until 1957 until h retired to Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR
Profession: Farmer
Father: Gustav Diekmann
RAW DATA: Namibiana III,1 (1981);
000367
Diergaardt, Johannes Gerard Adolf, Baster Captain
[Diergaardt, Hans]
* 16.09.1927 at Rehoboth
+ 12.02.1998 at Rehoboth
---
Johannes (Hans) Gerard Adolf Diergaardt was born on 16.09.1927 at Rehoboth. He was trained
as a car mechanic, became later a farmer and businessman. Diergaardt entered politics in
1947 as a member of the Rehoboth Burgervereniging. He founded the Rehoboth Tax Payers
Association in March 1959, the Rehoboth Peoples Party (Rehoboth Volksparty) in 1968, and
the Rehoboth Liberation Party in 1975. In 1969 Diergaardt was Chairman of the National
Convention, which included SWAPO and SWANU. He was a member of the Rehoboth Advisory
Council from 1959 until it was abolished in 1977. He participated in internal settlement
talks in the 1970ies, including the Turnhalle Conference in 1975-76. He was a Member of
the internal National Assembly, 1978-. On 03.10.1977 an election
was held for a Kaptein (Captain) for Rehoboth in terms of the Rehoboth
Self-Government Act, No. 56 of 1976. The election was narrowly won by Ben Africa, leader
of the Baster delegation at the Turnhalle Conference and of the Baster
Vereniging. His opponent was Johannes (Hans) Gerard Adolf Diergaardt of the Rehoboth
Liberation Party. Diergaardt challenged the outcome of the election in court, and the
court consequently ruled that Africa could not be installed as Kaptein of the
Rehoboth Gebied. On 31.10.1977 elections for the Rehoboth Volksraad were
held and won by Diergaardt. Consequently he became the fifth and last Baster Captain in
1979. In the 1980s he took part in the "transitional governments"
and was the "internal" Minister of Agriculture and Conservation from 1988-89. In
1988 he founded the Federal Convention of Namibia and was elected as its top candidate to
the Constituent Assembly in the 1989 elections. However, he vacated his seat in the
subsequent National Assembly due to ill-health. Throughout his life, he was committed to
establish a special status for his Baster community, and spearheaded its unsuccessful
post-independence legal bid for the return of control over the land around Rehoboth, which
was finally dropped in 1997. He died on 12.02.1998 at Rehoboth. The position of a Baster
Captain was not filled after this. He was married to Sannie Diergaardt.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Functions: Chairman - National Convention - 1969
Member - Rehoboth Advisory Council - 1959-1977
Member - National Assembly of South West Africa - 1978-
Kaptein - Rehoboth Community - 1979-
Minister of Agriculture and Conservation - Transitional Government of National Unity -
1988-1989
Member of Constituent Assembly - 1989-1990
Married to: Sannie Diergaardt
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000528
Diergaardt, Johannes
*
---
Johannes Diergaardt was a Rehoboth Baster who occasionally acted as a diplomatic messenger
for Hendrik Witbooi, but later served in the Baster auxiliary troop assisting v.
François' expeditions against Hendrik Witbooi's stronghold at Hoornkrans. His father was
killed in one of Witbooi's raids on Baster transport riders after the Hoornkrans massacre.
No further details could be traced.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
000002
Dierks, Klaus, Dr.
* 19.02.1936 at Berlin-Dahlem, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1965
---
Klaus Dierks was born on 19.02.1936 at Berlin-Dahlem. He received his schooling in
Zeuthen, Schulpforta, Eichwalde (GDR-Abitur: 1955) and Berlin (West) Abitur 1956. He
studied civil engineering and history at the Technische Universität Berlin,
Diplomingenieur 1965, Doktor-Ingenieur (Dr.-Ing.), 1992. He came to Namibia in 1965 to
work as a civil engineer in the Roads Department. He became Chief Engineer in the
Department of Transport in 1981. He was involved in the planning, design and construction
of Namibia's unique roads system in the last forty years. Dierks was a founding member of
the "Interessengemeinschaft Deutschsprachiger Südwester" (IG) in 1977 and drew
closer to the liberation movement SWAPO in 1982. Due to this political involvement he was
dismissed by the South African authorities in 1987. He was appointed Deputy Minister of
Works, Transport and Communications in the first Namibian government, 1990, and the second
government, 1995. He was a Member of the National Assembly from 1990 to up to his
retirement in 2000. Dierks was pivotal in establishing new east-west road links in order
to connect Namibia with the landlocked countries in the east, like the Trans-Kalahari and
Trans-Caprivi highways. Furthermore he created and implemented a development programme in
transport and telecommunication infrastructure for the formerly neglected regions in
Namibia's north, in order to balance the "two Namibias". He played a key role in
the technical re-integration of the port town of Walvis Bay between 1990 and 1994 and in
the development of the port of Lüderitz. He was instrumental in the establishment of
planning and management criteria to construct highways and appropriate rural roads by
labour-based means. This led to a new concept in the engineering of roads in order to
fight the unemployment problem in Namibia. He designed the unique Road Sector Reform in
order to safeguard and enhance the best roads system in Africa, Namibia's roads
infrastructure. He played a decisive role in the revival of the Tsumeb Copper Mines in
1999 and in the development of alternative energies (wind power and solar power). His
special interests are mountaineering (Himalayas) and early Namibian history. He
re-discovered the ancient Namibian settlement of //Khauxa!nas in the Great Karas
Mountains. As Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Namibia's state-owned railway
company, TransNamib, since 2002, he managed to turn-around the ailing transport company
into a highly profitable undertaking. He is also the Chairman of the Electricity Control
Board (ECB) (since 2000) and the Deputy Chairman of the Road Fund Administration (since
2003). He serves as a Member of the Cabinet Committee: Archives of the Anticolonial
Resistance and Liberation Struggle (AACRLS) and is the Chairman of the Research Committee
of the AACRLS. He published many books and articles on engineering and historical matters
in Namibia. He is married to Karen Dierks, née von Bremen on 23.08.1962, with four
children: Alexander Dierks (1966-), Katrin Dierks (1967-), Susanne Dierks (1970-) and
Annette Dierks (1978-). His father was Ernst Joachim Albert Karl Dierks, born on
12.02.1905 at Berlin-Friedrichshagen (died during World War Two in August 1944 in France)
and his mother: Annemarie Dierks, née Pötzsch, born on 09.06.1913 at Berlin-Lichtenberg.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: Engineering; Civil Service; POL
Profession: Civil Engineer Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng.)
Functions: Deputy Minister - Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication - 1990-1999
Deputy Minister - Ministry of Mines and Energy - 1999-2000
Member of National Assembly 1990-2000
Chairman - Electricity Control Board (ECB)- 2000-
Chairman - TransNamib (Namibian Railways)- 2002-
Deputy Chairman - Road Fund Administration - 2003-
Chairman - Sub-Committee: Research: Archives of the Anticolonial Resistance and Liberation
Struggle (AACRLS) 2002-
Member - Steering Committee: Archives of the Anticolonial Resistance and Liberation
Struggle (AACRLS) 2002-
Married to: Karen Dierks, née von Bremen, married 23.08.1962
Children: Alexander Dierks (1966-)
Katrin Dierks (1967-)
Susanne Dierks (1970-)
Annette Dierks (1978-)
Father: Ernst Joachim Albert Karl Dierks, born 12.02.1905 at Berlin-Friedrichshagen
Mother: Annemarie Dierks, née Pötzsch, born 09.06.1913 at Berlin-Lichtenberg
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
000529
Diestel, Friedrich
* 01.06.1862 in Germany
+ 02.09.1894 at Gurus
---
Friedrich Diestel was born on 01.06.1862 in Germany. He was a lieutenant of the
Schutztruppe who arrived in Namibia in June 1894 and fell three months later in the war
against Hendrik Witbooi at 02.09.1894 at Gurus in the Naukluft Mountains.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
RAW DATA: Lau 1995:230; NAN A.648; Lenssen 1994:263;
001382
Dietrich
*
---
Dietrich was a German trader who murdered in 1903 the daughter-in-law of Ovaherero Chief
Zacharias Zeraua of Otjimbingwe, a case which was widely discussed and perceived as a
major cause of Ovaherero dissatisfaction against the German colonial dispensation.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: TRA
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:154-155;
002077
Dimbare, Frans, Mbukushu Chief
[Fumu, traditional title]
*
+
---
Fumu Frans Dimbare, together with Fumu Alfons Majavero, ruled on Tanhwe
Island in the Okavango River as Chief of the Mbukushu area in the Kavango from 1969 until
1991. He was the fifteenth in the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
002070
Dimbu I, Mbukushu King
[called also Ndara or Libebe]
*
+ .1895 at Thipanana Island in the Okavango River
---
In the Kavango one of the earlier known Mbukushu Kings was Dimbu I. He was the ninth in
the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He succeeded King Diyeve I. He died in 1895
and was succeeded by King Diyeve II (1895-1915).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
002073
Dimbu II, Mbukushu King
*
+ .1939 at Tanhwe Island in the Okavango River
---
In the Kavango Mbukushu King Disho I died in 1929. He was the twelfth in the recorded
genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He was succeeded by King Dimbu I. King Dimbu I died in
1939 and was succeeded by King Disho II (1939-1947).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000464
Dinter, Kurt
* 10.06.1868 at Bautzen, Germany
+ 16.12.1945 at Neukirch, Germany
---
Kurt Dinter was born on 10.06.1868 at Bautzen in Germany. He
was a renown botanist. He died on 16.12.1945 at Neukirch in Germany.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BOT
Profession: Botanist
Collections/Papers:
1). South African Museum, Cape Town: Private herbarium (purchased in 1923)
2). Unknown: private papers * Hermann Jacobsen "Handbuch der sukkulenten
Pflanzen" (Jena 1954-1955) has published illustrations from "Nachlass
Dinter", without information where the material is available
3). Various places: Herbarium material * Herbarium specimen collected by Dinter have gone
to Zürich, Berlin-Dahlem, National Herbarium Pretoria, and other places
4). NAN: A.364
002063
Dinyando, Mbukushu King
*
+ before 1850
---
In the Kavango one of the earliest known Mbukushu Kings was Dinyando. He was the second in
the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He succeeded King Sinyungu. No life dates
could be traced so far. Successor was King Sihurera (before 1850).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
002072
Disho I, Mbukushu King
*
+ .1929 at Tanhwe Island in the Okavango River
---
In the Kavango Mbukushu King Diyeve II died in 1915. He was the eleventh in the recorded
genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He was succeeded by King Disho I. King Disho I died in
1929 and was succeeded by King Dimbu II (1929-1939).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
002074
Disho II, Mbukushu King
*
+
---
In the Kavango Mbukushu King Dimbu I died in 1939. He was the thirteenth in the recorded
genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He was succeeded by King Disho II. King Disho II,
however, was deposed by the South Africans in 1947 (due to alleged illegal hunting of the
"royal" game, a hippopotamus) and banned to Botswana. He only returned to
Namibia in 1969. From 1947 until 1969 Max Makushe was the Mbukushu Chief. After him the
Mbukushu Kings Fumu (traditional title) Alfons Majavero and Fumu Frans
Dimbare ruled on Tanhwe Island in the Okavango River.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks (Photo taken at Mukwe, June 1975)
002313
Ditshabue, Hubert Tidimalo, Tswana Chief
*
+
---
Hubert Tidimalo Ditshabue followed Tswana Chief Kgosi-kgolo
(traditional title) Constance Letang Kgosiemang in 1992. He lives in
Aminuis.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
001384
Dixon, Daniel Esma
*
---
Daniel Esma Dixon hailed from Omaruru. He was a transport rider during the German-Namibian
War of 1904 and thereafter.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:353;
000776
Dixon, Frank Horace
* 19.12.1918 at Kimberley, South Africa
---
Frank Horace Dixon was born on 19.12.1918 at Kimberley in South Africa. He was educated at
Christian Bros. College, Kimberley and Leeds University in the U.K. From 1939 until 1945
he served as a Lieutenant in World War II. He was an architect. He was the President of
the SWA Institute of Architects. He was married to Barbara Dixon, née Campbell in 1946.
---
Gender: m
Profession: Architect
Married to: Barbara Dixon, née Campbell, married 1946-
Father: C.C. Dixon
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
000777
Dixon, Jacobus Christiaan
* 22.05.1923 at Garies, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1946
---
Jacobus Christiaan Dixon was born on 22.05.1923 at Garies in South Africa. He was educated
at Upington. He served in the South African Army during World War II from 1941 to 1946. He
came to Namibia in 1946 as a carpenter for the SWA Administration Dept. of Works, became
then a building contractor. He was a director of various companies in the construction and
tourism sector, incl. J.C. Dixon, Windhoek Bricks, Suidwes Safari Motels, Toerkor, Johnny
Hamman en Kie., Putt-Putt SA and SWA Travel Safari. He was married to Jacoba Gerharda
Elizabeth Dixon, née Kruger in 1950.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Jacoba Gerharda Elizabeth Dixon, née Kruger, married 1950
Father: James Richard Dixon
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
001978
Dixon, Peter
*
First entry to Namibia: 12.1843
---
Peter Dixon was a trader and transport rider. He came to Namibia as a trader with his
wife and four children and trader Morris at the request of Jonker Afrikaner in December
1843, in partnership with T. Lawton of Cape Town. Dixon and Morris established a trading
post at Sandfontein. He was still alive in 1877.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:29-30;
001383
Dixon, Sidney
*
First entry to Namibia: 1841
---
Sidney Dixon was a well-known trader who came to Namibia with his family, trader Morris,
and Saul Shepherd in 1841. He established a trading post at Sandfontein in ca. 1845 but
also undertook trading throughout Nama- and Damaraland. The partnership with Morris was
dissolved in the late 1840s. Dixon was still trading in 1877.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: TRA
RAW DATA: Tabler: Pioneers, 30; Esterhuyse 1968:11;
002069
Diyeve I, Mbukushu King
*
+ .1850 at Thipanana Island in the Okavango River
---
In the Kavango one of the earlier known Mbukushu Kings was Diyeve I. He was the eighth in
the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He succeeded Queen Rukonga. He died in 1850
and was succeeded by King Dimbu I (called also Ndara or Libebe).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
002071
Diyeve II, Mbukushu King
[called also Ndara or Libebe]
*
+ .1915 at Tanhwe Island in the Okavango River
---
In the Kavango the first Mbukushu King who can be clearly dated was Diyeve II, also called
Ndara or Libebe. He was the tenth in the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He
succeeded King Dimbu I in 1895. He shifted the Mbukushu residence from Thipanana Island to
Tanhwe Island, which is situated opposite the Roman Catholic mission station Andara. 1903
Diyeve II agreed with Roman Catholic Father Nachtwey to allow the establishment of such a
station. 1911 Diyeve asked better German protection against aggressions from the Tswana
people in Bechuanaland. Consequently the German colonial administration established a
police station on Tanhwe Island. King Diyeve II died in 1915 and was succeeded by King
Disho I (1915-1929).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000434
Doerk, Ludwig
* 10.01.1865
+ 24.02.1892 at Windhoek
First entry to Namibia: June 1889
---
Ludwig Doerk (born on 10.01.1865), a sergeant in Curt von François'
"Schutztruppe", committed suicide in Windhoek shortly after his discharge from
the troop. He died on 24.02.1892 and was the first person buried in the old Windhoek
graveyard.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Soldier
RAW DATA: AHK 1982, pp.32+51;
001979
Dolman, Alfred
* 19.09.1827 at London, England
+ 28.12.1851 at near Kolobeng, Botswana
First entry to Namibia: 01.1844
---
Alfred Dolman was born on 19.09.1827 at London in the United Kingdom. He was a tourist and
son of a rich lawyer. At the age of 16 he sailed up the west coast to Ichaboe and Angra
Pequeña. He died of exhaustion on 28.12.1851 near Kolobeng in the Kalahari, after
visiting Lake Ngami.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:30-31;
001385
Domscheidt, Augustine
* in Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1893
---
August Domscheidt was the first nurse who arrived 1893 in Windhoek.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: MED
RAW DATA: AHK 1982:33;
000140
Dönges, Johannes Michael
* 06.02.1832 at Wetter near Marburg, Germany
+ 27.03.1917 at Tulbagh, South Africa
---
Johannes Michael Dönges was born on 06.02.1832 at Wetter near Marburg in Germany. He was
a missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft in the Cape Colony in South Africa,
stationed at Tulbagh (1854), Wupperthal (1855-1858), Amandelboom (1858), Schietfontein
(1859-1871) and Concordia (1871-1904). He was not active in Namibia. He died on 27.03.1917
at Tulbagh in South Africa. He was married to Anna Dönges, née Leipoldt in 1861.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married to: Anna Dönges, née Leipoldt, married 1861-
RAW DATA: Lau 1985:V1251; Vergissmeinnicht 1893:34; Bösesken 1983:28;
000141
Dose, Louis
* 12.1853 at Altona, Germany
+ 23.01.1905 at Cape Town, South Africa
---
Louis Dose was born in December 1853 in Altona in Germany. He was a merchant in Longmarket
Streetin Cape Town, who regularly supplied traders in Namibia. He died on 23.01.1905 at
Cape Town in South Africa. He was married to Julie Dose.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Trader
Married to: Julie Dose
Namibia National Archives Database
000411
Dove, Karl, Dr.
* 12.11.1863 at Tübingen, Germany
+ .1922 at Jena, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 189206
Last departure from Namibia: 1893
---
Karl Dove was born on 2.11.1863 at Tübingen in Germany. He was a geographer. He studied
geography and science and graduated in Göttingen (Dr.-phil.). He completed his
habilitation as "Privatdozent" for geography and climatology in Berlin. He
travelled in central Namibia from June 1892 to late 1893 on behalf of the Deutsche
Kolonialgesellschaft für Südwestafrika, and published extensively about it, then
travelled to the Cape Colony, Natal, East Africa and Egypt. He was Professor for geography
at Jena University from 1899 to 1907 and Professor for geography at Freiburg University
after 1914. He was strongly engaged in colonial politics as board member of the Deutsche
Kolonialgesellschaft and deputy chairman of the "Kolonialwirtschaftliches
Komitee". He took a decidedly chauvinist and racist standpoint: the infamous remark
"Leniency towards the native is cruelty towards the white man" has been coined
by him. He died in 1922 in Jena.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: NAT
Profession: Geographer
Father: R. Dove
RAW DATA: W. Tabel: Erlebnisberichte von Forschern und Jägern aus der Kolonialzeit
Südwestafrikas, in: Afrikanischer Heimatkalender 1976, pp.85-120; Deutsches
Koloniallexikon; Giesebrecht (ed.): Die Behandlung der Eingeborenen...; Drechsler
1966:117, 79, 112, 146, 157, 302, 325-326, 331, 339, 348;
000530
Draghoender, Samuel
[Dragoener, Samuel - alternative spelling]
[Draghoender, Fanetje - birth name]
*
---
Samuel Draghoender was a council member under Hendrik Witbooi. He was baptised in 1870.
His parents, Willem and Magdalena Draghoender, gave his "heathen" name as
Fanetje.
---
Gender: m
Mother: Magdalena Draghoender
Father: Willem Draghoender
Namibia National Archives Database
001386
Dreary, F.C.
*
---
F.C. Dreary was a trader in Walvis Bay in ca.1882.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: TRA
Namibia National Archives Database
000781
Drechsler, Horst, Prof. Dr.
* 08.01.1927 at Erfurt, Germany
---
Horst Drechsler was born on 08.01.1927 at Erfurt in Germany. He studied History, German
and Spanish at the University of Jena (Ph.-D. 1952) in Germany (G.D.R.), where he worked
until 1959. Since the mid-1950s he was involved into research on German colonial history,
in particular on Namibia. From 1960 until 1964 he worked at the University
Halle-Wittenberg. His "Habilitation" in 1964 with his ground-breaking thesis on
anti-colonial resistance in German South-West Africa (Südwestafrika unter deutscher
Kolonialherrschaft, publ. 1966) brought him fame. From 1964 until 1967 he was a lecturer
and from 1967 until 1989 he was a professor at the University of Rostock. In 1987 he
served as a visiting professor at the University of Havana, Cuba. Drechsler's book on the
resistance struggle in Namibia during the German Namibian War 1903-1908, published in
English as "Let us die fighting" as well as in French, Portuguese and Russian
translations, became one of the most influential works on Namibian history. Despite
criticism from mostly right-wing detractors, in particular against the concept of genocide
of Namibian indigenes, he is using for the 1903-1908 War, his meticulous scholarly use of
documentary sources is beyond doubt. In 1996, he published a history of German colonial
companies in Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ACA WRI
Profession: Historian
Namibia National Archives Database
000445
Drew, Dewdney William
* .1864 at Norwich, England
---
Dewdney William Drew was born in 1846 at Norwich in the United Kingdom. He was a minister
of the Congregational Church who came to South Africa in 1891. He engaged himself in
various human rights activities. While being a member of the South African Union
Parliament (1915-1918), he visited Namibia and got involved in defending the rights of the
Rehoboth Basters. At the end of the First World War, he returned to Britain and died
around 1930. He was married to Millicent Mortimer Drew, née Morgan in 1894.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL POL
Profession: Church minister
Married to: Millicent Mortimer Drew, née Morgan, married 1894-
Namibia National Archives Database
001387
Drews, Wilhelm
* 13.12.1881
+ 06.06.1918
---
Wilhelm Drews as born on 13.12.1881. He was a Schutztruppe officer. He died on 06.06.1918.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:223;
001980
Du Toit
*
+ 11.12.1880 at Klein Barmen
---
Two Boers of the name Du Toit, father and son, were killed during a fight with a Nama
commando at Klein Barmen on 11.12.1880.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001388
Duella, Heinrich
* in Namibia
---
Heinrich Duella was a Oshiwambo speaking Namibian, who was 1902-1903 teacher in Gaub. He
had visited Germany.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
RAW DATA: JBRMG 1903:24;
001320
Duft, Gustav
* in Germany
---
Gustav Duft came to Namibia as a legal official (Bergreferendar) for mining matters,
employed by the Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft für Südwestafrika. He was the
Distriktschef for Keetmanshoop from 1894 to 1897. Later he became Bezirksamtmann for
Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ADM
RAW DATA: Hubatsch; Esterhuyse 1968:130,220; Drechsler 1966:80-81;
000783
Dumeni, Kleophas
* in Namibia
---
Kleophas Dumeni was the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Ovambo-Kavango Church (ELOK;
later ELCIN) since 1979.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Clergy
Namibia National Archives Database
001389
Duminy, François Renier, Chevalier
* .1749
+ .1811
---
François Renier Duminy was the leader of a South African expedition with the ship
"Meermin" to Namibia in 1793.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
000533
Duncan, Anna Maria
[Cloete, Anna Maria - birth name]
* .?.1842
+ 05.05.1917 in Namibia
---
Anna Maria Duncan was the wife of Robert Duncan (Sen.)(1835-1910). She had 10 children
with him. She died on 05.05.1917.
---
Gender: f
Married to: Robert Duncan (1835-1910)
Children: Robert (Jnr.) Duncan (1865-1907)
Namibia National Archives Database
000531
Duncan, Robert (Snr.)
[Duncan, Bob - colloquial name]
[Old Bob]
* .1835 at St. Andrew's, Scotland
+ 09.07.1910 at Rietmond
First entry to Namibia: 1866
---
Robert Duncan was born in 1835 at St. Andrews in the United Kingdom. He was a trader and
farmer. Duncan's trading in Namaland and selling of arms and ammunition to the Witboois
and others is documented since at least 1866. He enjoyed a reputation as a great friend of
Namaland long before coming out in strong support of Hendrik Witbooi. Duncan started out
in a hunting and trading business called "Duncan and Hill Company" which folded
in 1888. After 1888 Duncan was probably the major arms and ammunition supplier contracted
by Witbooi, and was wanted by the Germans in 1894. He eventually gave himself up
voluntarily in May 1894 and was imprisoned in Windhoek. The charges only dealt with a
certain arms delivery to Witbooi in April 1890, and Duncan was acquitted in May 1895.
Duncan is recorded to have lived for lengthy periods of time at Haruchas, at Gochas, at
Keetmanshoop, near Rietfontein, and at Hasuur. In 1896 he was given the farm Persip by
Simon Koper in settlement of debts. However, he left the farm to be managed by his son
David and lived in a traditional Nama house in Rietmond for the last months or years of
his life. He was married to Anna Maria Cloete (* ca. 1842, + 05.05.1917), a Witbooi woman.
They had 10 children. He died on 09.07.1910 at Rietmond. He was married to Anna Maria
Duncan, née Cloete (1842-1917).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Anna Maria Duncan, née Cloete (1842-1917)
Children: David Duncan
Robert Jnr. Duncan
Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.37 (copies of concessions and other legal documents)
RAW DATA: Lau 1995:231; Esterhuyse 1968:12;
000532
Duncan, Robert (Jnr.)
* 10.02.1865
+ 05.06.1907 in Namibia
---
Robert Duncan (Jnr.) was the son of Robert Duncan (Snr.), who worked closely with his
father.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Father: Robert Duncan, née 1835-1910
RAW DATA: NAN NLA 25 D.46;
000373
Duparquet, Charles
* .1830 at L'Aigle, France
+ .1888 at Loango, Congo
First entry to Namibia: 1879
---
Charles Duparquet was born in 1830 in L'Aigle (Normandy, France). Duparquet was the first
modern Catholic missionary to the interior of central Africa. He was ordained a priest in
the missionary Congregation of the Holy Ghost (Spiritans) in 1855 and subsequently set up
missions in several African countries. He was made vice-prefect of the Prefecture of
Cimbebasia, which included Namibia. He arrived by ship at Walvis Bay in 1979, travelled
through central and northern Namibia, tried unsuccessfully to start a mission at Omaruru
(where the Rhenish missionaries instigated the Ovaherero to expel his Jesuits), and wrote
a report about his travels. He died in Loango, Congo, in 1888.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
RAW DATA: Tabler 1873:35;
000348
Du Pisani, Etienne
* at Windhoek
---
Etienne du Pisani was born in Windhoek. He received his schooling in Windhoek. He studied
anthropology in Stellenbosch in South Africa. He worked from October 1974 until April 1977
as ethnologist at the State Museum in Windhoek. He wrote numerous articles on the
ethnology of Namibian peoples.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SOC
Profession: Anthropologist
Namibia National Archives Database
000784
Du Plessis, Abraham Hermanus
* 28.08.1914 in the Prieska District, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1934
---
Abraham Hermanus du Plessis was born on 28.08.1914 in the Prieska District in South
Africa. He was educated at Upington and UNISA (B.Admin). He came to Namibia in 1934, in
the service of S.A. Railways and Harbours. He was active in the Afrikaanse
Taal en Kultuur Vereeniging (A.T.K.V.). Since 1945 he was employed by the
Suidwes-Drukkery Bpk. (where he became Director). Since 1946 he was the Secretary of the
National Party of South West Africa and since 1948 Member of the National Assembly. 1950
he became a Member of the Executive Committee. Du Plessis became later a minister in the
Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa. He was married to Elsie Susanna Du Plessis, née
Lombard in 1939.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Politician
Functions: Secretary - National Party of South West Africa - 1946-
Member - Legislative Assembly of South West Africa - 1948-
Married to: Elsie Susanna Du Plessis, née Lombard, married 1939-
Father: Willem Jacobus Du Plessis
Namibia National Archives Database
000755
Du Plessis, Jan Louis
* 19.12.1882 at Paarl, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 03.05.1905
---
Jan Louis du Plessis was born on 19.12.1882 at Paarl in South Africa. He was educated in
Paarl in South Africa. He came to Namibia in May 1905 and served in the German forces in
the German Namibian War, 1903-1908. He was then engaged in railway construction work. He
was interned by the Germans at Okanjande in 1914. He became a Head Warder after the First
World War. He was married to Susanna Johanna Du Plessis, née Meyer in 1919.
---
Gender: m
Married to: Susanna Johanna Du Plessis, née Meyer, married 1919
Father: Jan Louis Du Plessis
RAW DATA: WWSA 1929/30;
001390
Du Plessis, Louis
*
---
Louis du Plessis was a leader of the Dorsland Trekkers and Upingtonia.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001391
Du Plessis, Wentzel Christoffel
* 05.03.1904 in South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1963
---
Wentzel Christoffel du Plessis was born on 05.03.1904 in South Africa. He was the
Administrator for South West Africa from 1963 to 1968.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001392
Dyer, Richard C.
*
First entry to Namibia: 1878
---
Richard C. Dyer was the commander of the vessel "Industry" which annexed Walvis
Bay in 1878.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Navy officer
Namibia National Archives Database
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