BIOGRAPHIES OF NAMIBIAN PERSONALITIESin alphabetical order

BIOGRAPHIES OF NAMIBIAN PERSONALITIES
in alphabetical order

KLAUS DIERKS
Copyright © 2003-2004 Dr. Klaus Dierks

002046
Mackenzie, John
* .1835
+ .1899
---
John Mackenzie was a missionary in Bechuanaland. His reminiscences contain some information on 19th century Namibia.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:72; DSAB;

002047
MacLeod
*
---
MacLeod was a mission schoolmaster of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society. He reached Warmbad with his wife and sister and the Ridsdales on 27.01.1844. His presence is documented until August 1847.
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Gender: m

RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:72;

000396
Maercker, Georg
* 21.09.1865 at Waldenburg, Germany
+ 31.12.1924
First entry to Namibia: 28.01.1890
---
Georg Maercker was born on 21.09.1865 at Waldenburg in Germany. He was a Schutztruppe officer in Namibia and German East Africa. He fought under Wissmann in the East African "Arab Revolt". He landed in Namibia on 28.01.1890, commanding a military reinforcement troop of 43 soldiers. He fought in the German Namibian War of 1903-08. He was a commander of the Schutztruppe in Berlin and d Divisional commander in World War One. After the world war, he was the leader of several counter-revolutionary military campaigns in Germany. In 1922, he formed the Deutscher Kolonialkriegerbund.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer

Collections/Papers:
1). Heeresarchiv (Papers 1877-1924)* Destroyed by bombing in 1945
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:88-89, 175, 2070236, 257, 262; Drechsler 1966:235, 311, 361;

000230
Maharero, [Kamaharero], Ovaherero Chief
[Kamaherero - alternative spelling]
[Tjamuaha, Maharero]
* ca.1820
+ 07.10.1890 at Okahandja
---
Maharero (Kamaharero) was one of the most powerful 19th century Ovaherero leaders. He was the son of Tjamuaha and his first wife, Otjorozumo. Tjamuaha was the son of Tjirwe, son of Mutjise, son of Mbunga, son of Tjituka, son of Kasupi, son of Vatje, son of Kengeza, of the oruzo orwohorongo. Otjorozumo was the daughter of Ndomo, daughter of Peraa, daughter of Mbondo, daughter of Mukuejuva, of the eanda yomukueyuva. He was born ca. 1820.

Maharero, although later on good terms with Carl Hugo Hahn, never converted to Christianity. His son Wilhelm Maharero, however, was baptised and became a student at the Augustineum. Maharero was praised in many songs. His father Tjamuaha (born ca. 1790) and Maharero settled in Windhoek on Jonker’s demand. The two Ovaherero groups under their leaders Oove ua Muhoko Kahitjene and Tjamuaha formed an alliance with Jonker Afrikaner (Christmas Peace 1842). Like his father, he became an ally and tributary of Jonker Afrikaner in 1843 but from 1863 onwards, under the Rhenish missionary influence, he successfully challenged Orlam Afrikaner dominance. In 1851 Francis Galton arranged for a peace treaty between Jonker Afrikaner and the Ovaherero. Jonker Afrikaner, however, was still determined to prevent the establishment of any relations between European missionaries and Ovaherero chiefs independent of his control. On 12.03.1851 Galton offered to arrange for a peace treaty between the Ovaherero communities of Oove ua Muhoko Kahitjene, one of Jonker’s former allies, and Chief John Samuel Aron Mungunda from Otjombuindja in the Ozongoto area, but Kahitjene declined the offer. In a subsequent skirmish between Mungunda’s sons and Kahitjene, the latter was killed. The Ovaherero decided that the Mungunda community should settle together with Tjamuaha’s son, Maharero. Kahitjene’s downfall can be directly attributed to his attempts to win access to arms with assistance of missionary Hahn. Maharero left Otjimbingwe and returned to Tjamuaha’s place, Okahandja. In 1852 Jonker Afrikaner, extremely anxious to prevent Europeans from exploring Hereroland and Ovamboland and supplying Ovaherero with arms, attacked Tjamuaha and Maharero at Otjosemba. Even Hahn lost his cattle. Jonker moved on to Omambonde and the Omatako omuramba (fossil river) (Khoekhoegowab: ||Khuob) at the Omatako Mountains (#Hakha) and attacked Otjihinamaparero and the community of Chief Katjikurure. He extended his attacks as far north as the Ondonga area in Ovamboland.

During 1860 Maharero's father, Ua Tjirue Tjamuaha, undertook a journey to Kaokoland to unite the Ovaherero against Jonker Afrikaner. In December 1861 Tjamuaha died. Maharero moved to Otjimbingwe. On 15.06.1863, ||Oaseb, together with the Orlam Afrikaner Chief Christian Afrikaner, Piet Koper !Gamab of the Fransman Nama and the ||Hawoben leader, Karl Hendrik (Ses)(!Nanib #karib #Arisemab), was defeated by Andersson's "private army" in the battle of Otjimbingwe. Philippus Katjimune on the Ovaherero side was also killed in the battle. Neither Maharero nor any of his associates were involved in this initial battle, and they remained largely aloof until the third encounter a year later. Although the Ovaherero leader Christian Wilhelm Zeraua was Maharero’s senior, he declined the leadership and Maharero became the supreme Ovaherero Chief in 1862. The missionaries and Ovaherero called the war against the Orlam Afrikaner a "war of liberation". Explorer, hunter and trader James Chapman was one observer who believed the Ovaherero to be exaggerating their experience. All the battles of the 1860s must be seen as part of the Rhenish Missionary Society’s devastating scheme for weakening any indigenous political power that might obstruct the forthcoming German colonial annexation. On 05.03.1864 Andersson’s "private army" and the ||Khau-*gõan (or Swartboois), together with the ||Ô-gain (or "Groot Doden" – Chief Jager #Aimab from the Kuiseb River) under the command of Green, attacked the Orlam Afrikaners in the battle of Witvley. Carl Hugo Hahn fully supported the Andersson raid to destroy the Orlam Afrikaners and their allies, and assured Andersson of "my and all the missionaries’ fullest support". Andersson and Green made a firm decision that they would now ally themselves with Maharero and raise a large army against the Nama alliance. The Orlams make a call on all Namaland chiefs "to come and help them, Andersson and the missionaries want to take the country away". In 1865 Maharero concluded a peace treaty with the Topnaar Nama (#Aonin). On 05.07.1867 William Coates Palgrave obtained permission from Maharero to move freely in Hereroland. On 12.12.1867 the Orlam Afrikaners again attacked Otjimbingwe, but the turning point in their history had come with the defeats they suffered against the Ovaherero under Andersson’s command in 1863 and 1864. Jan Jonker escaped to Walvis Bay, which was plundered by the Orlam Afrikaners. Maharero moved in consequence of these events to Okahandja (January/February 1868). The reasons for this were not only the Orlam defeats but the strong influence of the missionaries and the Europeans on the Ovaherero which Maharero wanted to escape. Hahn’s mission idea suffered a decisive defeat. On 17.05.1870 Jan Jonker Afrikaner tried to persuade Maharero to form an "anti-European alliance", but Maharero declined the peace offer under the influence of the Rhenish Missionary Society (Hahn). On 23.09.1870 Leaders (Maharero, Jan Jonker Afrikaner, Kido Witbooi of Gibeon, David Christian Frederiks of Bethany and Jakobus Isaak of Berseba) and missionaries (Hahn, Diehl and Irle of Okahandja, Brincker of Groß Barmen, Olpp of Gibeon, seven Finnish missionaries and the trader C Conrath) organised a peace conference at Okahandja. A treaty was signed in which Jan Jonker was designated "co-regent", i.e. Maharero’s subordinate. Ten years of peace followed (until 1880).

Maharero emerged in the 1870's as the first Ovaherero paramount chief, though his leadership was not uncontested. In 1872 Maharero asked the British High Commissioner and Cape Governor, Henry Barkly, for British protection. Consequently the Cape Government started to take an interest in the affairs of the territory. Barkly directed a letter to the Nama chiefs and cautioned them to "keep peace". On 21.06.1874 in the presence of Green, Maharero, together with Chief Therawa from Omaruru and Chief Kambazembi wa Kangombe (Kangombe is Kambazembi’s father) from Otjozondjupa (Waterberg), requested Henry Barkly as British High Commissioner in the Cape Colony to prevent a group of Transvaal Boers (Hendrik van Zyl) from settling in Damaraland. This led the Cape authorities to find a Special Commissioner for Damaraland. William Coates Palgrave was duly appointed. In September 1876 the Ovaherero chiefs and Palgrave hold the Main Conference of Okahandja. Kambazembi did not attend. The letter to Cape Governor Barkly was signed by Maharero, Christian Wilhelm Zeraua from Otjimbingwe, the Ovambanderu Chief, Salomo Aponda from Otjikango and Wilhelm Maharero, oldest son of Maharero. As witnesses the letter was also signed by missionaries Peter Heinrich Brincker, Carl Ludwig Hermann Hegner and Botolf Bernhard Björklund, and traders Heinrich Kleinschmidt, Robert Lewis and J.J. Christie. Consequently, on 02.08.1877, Palgrave sent a letter to Maharero informing him that the Cape Government was considering establishing Hereroland as a protectorate. However, in June 1878 Jakobus Isaak of Berseba and Moses Witbooi of Gibeon contacted Hermanus van Wyk of Rehoboth to establish a united front due to their distrust of Palgrave. Isaak and Witbooi communicated this motion of no-confidence in Palgrave to Maharero.

On 23.08.1880 war between the Nama and Ovaherero broke out, after the battle of Gurumanas (||Gurumâ!nâs). The Ovaherero leader Karuvingo and the Nama leader Nu-*narub were both killed in the skirmish. The Ovaherero escaped to Okahandja where Wilhelm Maharero, the oldest son of Maharero and Riarua (Nama name "Amadamap"), received orders to repel the expected Nama attack. Two days later Windhoek was destroyed by Maharero. On 26.09.1880 Jan Jonker Afrikaner declared war against Maharero. On 28.10.1880 Maharero lost the battle of Okangondo. On 10.12.1880 Jan Jonker Afrikaner started his campaign against Maharero by moving northwards to Otjikango (Groß Barmen). Two days later Wilhelm Maharero defeated Jan Jonker Afrikaner but was wounded in the battle of Otjikango. Three sons of Chief Kukuri of Otjosazu were killed. On the Nama side David Christian Frederiks of Bethany and the Chief of the Kai||khaun from Hoachanas, |Gôbeb #Goraxab (Petrus, probably murdered during the battle), the last offspring of the ||Oaseb dynasty, were killed. Oral evidence had it that his successor, Manasse !Noreseb Gamab (from 1881 until 1905), gave the order to murder |Gôbeb. The surviving Nama, inter alia Jakobus Isaak of Berseba, escaped first to Windhoek and later to Rehoboth and further south. On 14.12.1880, Wilhelm Maharero died after being wounded in the battle of Otjikango. On 04.03.1881 Moses Witbooi declared war against Maharero, and on 26.03.1881 Jan Jonker Afrikaner proposed to Riarua that he should kill Maharero in order to establish peace. Riarua declined to do this and Jan Jonker escaped to Tsebris and later to the Gamsberg (in the Khoekhoegowab language (Nama/Dama): #Gans(berg), meaning "screening", "closing" or "blocking" mountain). On 15.11.1881 the South African Cape authorities decided to send the former Rhenish missionary Carl Hugo Hahn to Hereroland to mediate in the conflict and to relieve the Ovaherero threat to Walvis Bay. On 15.02.1882 Maharero made peace with Hermanus van Wyk of Rehoboth, with missionary Heidmann as mediator. On returning to Rehoboth, Heidmann found Rhenish missionaries Krönlein and Hegner there. Krönlein was tasked by the Rhenish Missionary Society to mediate for peace between the Ovaherero and the different Nama communities. On 03.03.1882 Hahn mediated a separate peace treaty with Maharero and Abraham Swartbooi. The ||Khau-|gõan (Swartboois) moved consequently to Franzfontein. On 13.06.1882 the Rhenish missionaries Diehl, Krönlein and Eich, together with the Ovaherero, managed to establish peace with most of the Nama groups, negotiating with Jakobus Isaak of Berseba, Manasse !Noreseb of Hoachanas and Hendrik "Kol" Windstaan of the Groot Doden. Moses Witbooi and Jan Jonker Afrikaner, both of whom were losing their influence, did not attend the peace negotiations. The question of the southern border of Hereroland was not resolved. At the beginning of 1883, Maharero decided to establish the southern border of Hereroland himself. He left Okahandja, Otjikango and Otjiseva and moved together with Riarua first to Windhoek and later to Aris. There he was attacked by the Groot Doden. The Groot Doden were defeated and dispersed (last descendants live to-day in the area of Schlip). Maharero established the southern border of Hereroland from Gurumanas to Gobabis and Rietfontein. On 24.06.1884 Hendrik Witbooi made peace with Maharero after an indecisive battle in Onguheva. It was arranged that Windhoek and Gobabis, which was destroyed, would be rebuilt. On 01.09.1884 Maharero again moved with his people to Okahandja.

In 1884 Lüderitz sent his brother August and the geologist C Hoepfner to Okahandja to negotiate an agreement with Maharero. Due to the efforts of the British trader Lewis the negotiations were unsuccessful. Ten days later, in a proclamation in Otjiherero and German, Maharero declared himself "King of Hereroland". On 08.11.1884 Palgrave returned to SWA to persuade Maharero to accept British instead of German protection. In late November 1884 Vogelsang travelled to Okahandja in order to negotiate a protection treaty with Maharero. He was, however, unsuccessful. On 17.10.1885 Hendrik Witbooi was defeated by Maharero in the battle of Osona (Witbooi lost his two sons: Jeremia and Salomo, a third one, Jesaias, was wounded), although both sides were prepared to strengthen the peace agreement of Onguheva. Witbooi moved to Gurumanas. On 21.10.1885 a protection treaty was concluded between Maharero and Göring in the presence of Secretary Nels and missionaries Diehl and Büttner. Göring later noted that Diehl and Büttner convinced Maharero even though he (Göring) had his doubts that Maharero had the right to sign on behalf of all Hereroland. Maharero did not cede any land to the Germans and never promised to do so. In his eyes the missionaries had compromised seriously themselves as allies of the Germans. Consequently Maharero ordered that all the German officials should leave, and the mission church in Okahandja had to be closed. The missionaries were allowed to stay in Hereroland although the bonds of trust and friendship between Rhenish missionaries and the Ovaherero that have previously existed, were now destroyed.

On 03.11.1885 a protection treaty was concluded between Manasse Tyiseseta of Omaruru and Göring in the presence of missionary Büttner. In spite of this treaty Manasse managed to maintain a polity independent from the Germans and Maharero. This independence was based on sound trade links with the Cape Colony for arms and ammunition as well as a disciplined armed force. On 17.04.1886 Hendrik Witbooi again attacked Maharero at Okahandja, but was defeated. The Ovaherero followed Hendrik to Hoachanas. On 14.09.1887 Maharero declared to Göring that the mining rights granted to the Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft für Südwest-Afrika (DKGSWA) were null and void, except for the rights of the trader Robert Lewis to the Ebony and Otavi mines. Germany, however, would retain the right to regulate mining in the Ovaherero area (as per the treaty signed in the presence of missionary Diehl). On 30.10.1888 Göring met Maharero at Okahandja in the presence of the British trader Robert Lewis. Dissatisfied with the Germans’ inability to protect the Ovaherero against Witbooi, Maharero nullified the Protection Treaty of 1885 and made Lewis his official agent. Göring was forced to seek refuge in British Walvis Bay. Responsibility for this debacle rested with the German Government, which seemed to believe that the territory could be efficiently administered by three officials and 20 soldiers.

In June 1889 it was one of Kurt von Francois’, later successor to Göring (August 1890), first activities is to visit Maharero at Okahandja. On 07.10.1889 the first military fortress, "Wilhelmsfeste" near Tsaobis, was founded by Von Francois. Maharero objected to the establishment of this colonial fortress in Hereroland. A transport with arms and ammunition organised by the trader Robert Lewis for Maharero was stopped in Tsaobis. In consequence of this Lewis was expelled from the colony. The protection treaty with the Germans was reinvoked in 1890. On 07.10.1890 Maharero died and was buried in Okahandja alongside his father, Tjamuaha. His successor was Samuel Maharero (1890-1904).
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Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

Mother: Otjorozumo
Father: Tjamuaha
Children: Wilhelm Maharero
Samuel Maharero (1856-1923)

Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.3 (Correspondence, proclamations and ordinances)
RAW DATA: P.Reiner 1992:424; Lau 1985:V1275; Otto-Reiner; Sundermeier 1987; Pool 1991; DSAB II:425; Drechsler 1966:26, 29, 33, 36, 52-54, 69, 74, 99-100, 318, 327, 332, 336; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002208
Maharero, Alfons Kaihepaovazandu, Ovaherero Chief
*
+
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Alfons Kaihepaovazandu Maharero is the Chief of the Maharero/Tjamuaha Royal House since 1999. He lives in Okonja near Otjinene.
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Gender: m

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001707
Maharero, Frederick
[Maharero, Friedrich -alternative name]
* in Namibia
+ 11.09.1952 in Okahandja
---
Frederick Maharero was the oldest son of Samuel Maharero who joined Hendrik Witbooi with a Ovaherero unit in January 1905 at the Auob River (Battle of Groß Nabas). Later he escaped with his followers to Bechuanaland and was only able to visit his motherland fifteen years later, after the German defeat in W World War One. On 20.07.1920 Frederick Maharero was allowed by the South African authorities to visit SWA. Missionaries reported that Maharero was collecting money from his father’s followers, so that a farm could be bought for Samuel Maharero. Following the funeral of his father, Samuel Maharero, on 26.08.1923, Frederick appealed to the SWA Administration to be permitted to stay in SWA. His appeal was backed by Hosea Kutako, Traugott Maharero, Alfred Maharero, Salatiel Kambazembi (who returned to SWA around 1920), Joel Kasetura, Asser Kamusuvise, Silphanus Mungunda and Wilfried Kazondonga. Frederick was not allowed to remain permanently in SWA, and in December 1924 he was expelled, because the Ovaherero adopted a "defiant attitude" after Maharero’s renewed arrival in the territory. In 1945 Hosea Kutako formed the Herero Chiefs’ Council, with the co-operation of Chief Frederick Maharero who was still in exile in Bechuanaland. In April 1946 South Africa conducted a referendum in SWA. Namibians were tricked by asking them whether they would like to join the Chinese, the Russians or the British. Many indigenes clearly did not understand the political implications of the referendum, which resulted in a majority in favour of incorporation, especially in Ovamboland and the Kavango. The vote result was 208 850 in favour of incorporation and 33 520 against, while 56 700 people were not consulted. The groups voting against were the Nama, Dama and Ovaherero, i.e. the groups that suffered by far the most under German colonial rule. The UN General Assembly did not allow itself to be fooled by this "referendum". Opposition to incorporation came from various quarters. Hosea Kutako (together with Nikanor Hoveka) of SWA was the first to petition the United Nations. Kutako favoured being placed under British trusteeship. He was, however, refused a passport by the SA authorities. He contacted Frederick Maharero in Bechuanaland to assist him in sending the petition. Maharero again contacted Thekedi Khama of Bechuanaland to help the Namibians in their plight. It is through Khama that the Anglican priest Michael Scott became involved as petitioner to the UN to oppose incorporation. Frederick Maharero died on 11.09.1952 at Okahandja. He was only permitted shortly before his death to return to his motherland.
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Gender: m

Father: Samuel Maharero (-1923)
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:215; Nuhn 2000:92; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000579
Maharero, Samuel (Katjikumbwa or Ourihuuna), Ovaherero Chief
A Reflection on the German-Ovaherero War, 1904-1908
* 1856
+ 14.03.1923 at Serowe, Bechuanaland (now: Botswana)
Last departure from Namibia: September 1904
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Samuel Maharero (Katjikumbwa or Ourihuuna) was the son of Maharero (Kamaharero) and Katare. He was born in 1856. Although he always remained in a vicious circle between co-operation with and resistance to the German colonial power (until the end of 1903), he opposed the colonial take-over of the German Empire in the beginning. For instance, on 18.08.1889, Maharero wrote to Von Francois: "If you did not come with warlike intentions, then I ask you once again to pay heed to what I say, do not needlessly spend your money but rather go home. If you do not want to listen to my words then please declare so openly and tell me directly that you are at war with us." For the Germans the only colony considered as suitable for extensive settlement by Europeans (Germans) was Namibia. German settler ideology envisaged to create a "New Germany". Under these conditions, any challenge to colonial rule was tantamount to disparaging national honour and grandeur. Within less than two decades, German colonial rule had resulted to subdue the various Namibian communities into this settlement philosophy by a policy of "divide and rule". This policy was designed to further the settlement project and, with the words of Theodor Leutwein, "to gradually accustom the natives to the new dispensation. Of their former independence, nothing but memories would be left for them". The lands occupied by the Ovaherero would be alienated and turned into farms for German settlers, the herds of cattle would gradually pass over into the hands of those settlers, and the Namibian indigenes themselves would be turned into landless workers on the lands they formerly considered their heritage. Under these circumstances Samuel Maharero had to land among the wheels of history.

When it became clear that Samuel lobbied for German support for his succession of the chieftaincy he was opposed by other Namibian leaders. On 30.05.1890 Hendrik Witbooi wrote to Samuel Maharero, stating: "You will eternally regret that you have given your land and your right to rule into the hands of the whites." After the death of Maharero (Kamaharero) in October 1890, there was uncertainty on whether Samuel Maharero would succeed in usurping the chieftainship. Maharero was a faithful follower of the Rhenish Missionary Society and consequently the colonial authorities’ first choice as a candidate in the election of a new chieftain. Samuel’s rival, Nikodemus Kavikunua, was not supported by the Germans. After he renewed the "protection treaty" with the Germans on 28.10.1890, he succeeded to the throne of Maharero (03.08.1891), but his position remained unendorsed by a number of other Ovaherero leaders, among them Nikodemus Kavikunua, Kandji Tjetjo of Owikokorero, Manasse Tyiseseta of Omaruru, and Kambazembi wa Kangombe from the Waterberg (Otjozondjupa) as well as the Ovambanderu leader Kahimemua Nguvauva and Riarua, Maharero’s former advisor. These leaders also openly criticised him for his pre-1904 collaboration with the German colonial administration (for which Maharero was promoted by the Germans to the position of "Paramount Chief of the Ovaherero"). But, on 05.07.1892 Ovaherero and Ovambanderu under the leadership of Assa Riarua (son of Maharero’s former advisor Riarua), as well as Nikodemus Kavikunua, Daniel, Barnabas and Justus Kavizeri, attacked Hendrik Witbooi’s stronghold Hornkranz but were defeated. On their way back to Windhoek, the unsuspecting Ovaherero were attacked by some German settlers under the command of John Ludwig. Two Ovaherero were killed, some were wounded and cattle were driven off. This incident was never followed up by the German authorities, and Samuel Maharero’s faith in the Germans was seriously shaken. In November a peace treaty was agreed between Hendrik Witbooi and Maharero, because Witbooi perceived their conflict to be secondary to the threat posed by German colonialism. This peace treaty led to the employment of increased German troops in the colony.

In 1893 Samuel Maharero’s struggle for the chieftainship was still not resolved because Ovambanderu leader Nikodemus Kavikunua still claimed this right. Also, Maharero’s former advisor, Riarua, was hostile to Samuel. In January 1894 the new Governor (Landeshauptmann of the colony and by Imperial Order was appointed as "Governor" on 18.04.1898), Theodor Leutwein, landed at Swakopmund. Leutwein reported that the Ovaherero had an estimated 500 000 cattle. He expressed the hope that once the population pressure would become acute, the Ovaherero would be forced to sell their huge herds to the "white" settlers. However, this was for many years not the case and instead of this, for the first time, the effects of overgrazing became apparent as the Ovaherero herds were forced into an ever-increasing small area. One of Leutwein's first tasks was to visit Maharero in February 1894. In April Ovaherero Chief Kambazembi of the Waterberg attempted to reconcile Nikodemus Kavikunua and Chief Riarua with Samuel Maharero. He was, however, not successful. Riarua in alliance with Kandji Tjetjo even raided Samuel’s cattle posts. Consequently Samuel, in fear of the Okahandja Ovaherero, moved to Osona. Nikodemus Kavikunua visited Windhoek to lobby for German support against Samuel, without any success because Leutwein was away in the south and Gustav Duft had no authority to negotiate. On 25.06. Leutwein took Samuel’s side, stripping Riarua of all authority during negotiations at Okahandja. On 26.11.1894 Leutwein persuaded Samuel Maharero and Zacharias Zeraua of Otjimbingwe to meet Manasse Tyiseseta at Omaruru to seek agreement between the Ovaherero leaders. Leutwein’s demonstration of power led to the downfall of Manasse’s independent position and to the establishment of a German military garrison at Omaruru.

In December 1894 Leutwein concluded a treaty with Samuel Maharero for the establishment of the southern border of Hereroland, which subsequently had serious consequences for the Ovaherero and marked the start of their loss of land and cattle. In consequence Samuel Maharero requested Leutwein to shift the southern border. A serious clash of interests between the Ovaherero and Germans was consequently inevitable. Maharero confirmed, however, the land rights of the Rhenish Missionary Society in Hereroland. At the end of December 1894, a dispute over the southern border in the eastern sector arose between Ovambanderu leaders Kahimemua Nguvauva and Nikodemus Kavikunua and the Germans. Nikodemus still opposed Samuel Maharero, also on the border dispute, because the land question was an extremely sensitive issue for the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu. The fierce and bitter border quarrel brought the dispute between Maharero and Kavikunua to a head. During May 1895 Leutwein, Samuel Maharero and Riarua met Kavikunua and Kahimemua at Otjinauanaua. An agreement was reached which eventually led to the downfall of Nikodemus and Kahimemua. One month later Leutwein concluded a treaty with Kavikunua which enforced harsh border control between Ovambanderu and German settler areas. Kavikunua sought a closer relationship with Samuel Maharero, thus breaking with Kahimemua. Nikodemus’ claim to Gobabis was, however, rejected. Instead of this the Germans established a garrison at Gobabis and a military post at Olifantskloof, ostensibly to control the trade to and from the Bechuanaland Protectorate. On 01.07.1895 new punitive measures were announced for those Ovaherero and Ovambanderu who transgressed the southern border between Hereroland and the German settler areas. On 27.08.1895 Leutwein concluded a treaty with Samuel Maharero at Grootfontein for the establishment of the northern border of Hereroland. From March to May 1896 Ovambanderu and Khauas Nama, led by Eduard Lambert, staged uprisings against German authority. Within a month the uprising indigenes were defeated in the battles of Gobabis (in which Lieutenant Lampe of Gobabis and Eduard Lambert were killed) and Namdas (Siegfeld). On 08.04.1896 Leutwein issued a proclamation at Kowas where, in agreement with Samuel Maharero, he dismissed Kavikunua and Kahimemua from their positions as chiefs. Some nine days later Riarua and Tjetjo turned their backs on Kavikunua and Kahimemua and supported the protection treaty between Samuel and the Germans. On 06.05.1896 the Ovambanderu were defeated in the battle of Otjunda (Sturmfeld). Kahimemua surrendered to the Germans. Kavikunua, however, did not participate in the battles of Gobabis and Otjunda. Kahimemua sent Ovambanderu to Ngamiland (present-day Botswana) under the leadership of his son, Hiatuvao Nguvauva, father of the later Ovambanderu Chief Munjuku Nguvauva II. This was the first wave of Ovaherero to flee to present-day Botswana. Some Ovaherero escaped into the north-east of the territory. They settled in the area of Karakuwisa. The Khauas Nama ceased to exist as a political entity. All surviving Khauas Nama were taken to Windhoek where they were placed in a concentration camp and were used as forced labour by the German authorities. Karl Dove wrote in the Deutsche Kolonialzeitung: "It is to be hoped that the Imperial Governor will not be prevented by the sentimental humanitarianism of certain quarters from sending all the Khauas falling into his hands to the gallows ... ". On 12.06.1896 Nikodemus Kavikunua and Kahimemua Nguvauva from the Ovambanderu were executed after a court-martial trial in Okahandja. Samuel Maharero supported the executions.

During April 1897 a rinderpest epidemic which had already entered the territory by late 1896 reached Windhoek. The disease wiped out Ovaherero cattle (approx. 50%). Locusts and drought forced Ovaherero to sell their land and cattle and work for German farmers. A cultural crisis of pastoralists losing their very foundations ensued. Deprived of their wealth in cattle, weakened by the activities of Samuel Maharero and Theodor Leutwein, and driven ever further into debt, some Ovaherero chiefs attempted to recoup their losses through raiding (especially in the Ovambanderu areas), exporting labour and selling land. In July 1899 the Rhenish missionaries Diehl and Viehe sharply attacked Samuel Maharero for "selling" the Okakango locale, north of Okahandja, to settle his debts. In November the same year a quarrel broke out between Samuel Maharero and Michael Tyiseseta, son of Manasse Tyiseseta of Omaruru. Leutwein intervened and explained that Samuel had no direct authority over Michael’s people. It was now clear that the German authorities only supported Samuel against his fellow Ovaherero leaders as long as it suited German interests. In 1901 Assa Riarua reported that he was roughly evicted from a bakery in Windhoek. Samuel Maharero stated that his life was being threatened by the German trader Von Michaelis. On 31.01.1902 Leutwein, still not in a hurry to establish "native reserves" in Hereroland, gave orders to investigate the possibilities for native reserves in the Windhoek, Omaruru, Karibib and Gobabis districts. Samuel Maharero got increasing resistance to the sale of land in Okahandja. The construction of the state railway between Swakopmund and Windhoek was the main reason for this. On 05.03.1902 the Okapuka locale was sold by Samuel Maharero. Nine days later Rhenish Missionary Diehl expressed concern about the future of the Ovaherero congregation of Otjiseva due to the fact that Samuel Maharero had sold this place to traders to pay his debts. On 07.06.1902 a commission was appointed by the German Government to investigate the problem of the credit system and how "natives" should settle their debts to traders. The credit regulations outlawing the sale of "tribal" land to curb abuses, led to the traders using even harsher methods to claim arrears. This increase in trading activity brought more problems for Samuel Maharero. Traders, such as Wallace of Okombahe, held him responsible for the debts of his subjects. However, on 31.07.1902 District Chief of Okahandja, Zürn, relieved the pressure on Samuel Maharero by declaring that "while Samuel himself still has unpaid debts, he could not accept responsibility for the debts of others". In 1903 it can be reported that "white" infringers of the law were increasingly favoured by the law courts. The most sensational case was the initial dismissal of a certain Dietrich after the murder of the daughter-in-law of the Otjimbingwe Chief, Zacharias Zeraua. The Ovaherero unleashed a storm of protest. The re-trial found Dietrich guilty and he was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. On 02.03.1903 Samuel Maharero sold the Otjihavera locale to the firm Wecke & Voigts. On 06.06.1903 Leutwein wrote to the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court to issue the following warning: "Any delay in acting against the traders who [are] guilty of malpractices [will] endanger the lives of whites in Hereroland. Complaints lodged by Hereros against whites [are] to be investigated." In September 1903 the Ovaherero were bewildered by the news that OMEG planned to construct the Otavi railway line. Samuel Maharero refused to give up any land along the new line. On 03.10.1903 Leutwein issued a proclamation (as ordered by the German Reichskanzler dated 23.07.1903) that enacted the long-awaited credit regulations. The traders immediately started collecting their outstanding debts – relentlessly and with feverish haste. At the beginning of December, the first "native reserve" for the Ovaherero was created at Otjimbingwe. Further reserves were envisaged for Okahandja, Waterberg and Gobabis. Okahandja District Chief Zürn’s undiplomatic negotiation style for the establishment of the envisaged Okahandja reserve border was one of the reasons for the outbreak of the Ovaherero-German War of January 1904. In the case of the delimitation of the Waterberg reserve border, Zürn even forged the signatures of the Ovaherero leaders. This was another cause for the outbreak of the German-Namibian War in January 1904.

At the end of the month Samuel Maharero allegedly took the decision to fight the Germans. There is, however, evidence that the Ovaherero had no direct intentions to wage a war against the Germans. The war was rather inflamed by the provocative approach of the German settlers and the aggressive attitude of Zürn. However, the Ovaherero were well-armed and an early, good rainy season favoured the struggle against German colonialism. Leutwein estimated that the Ovaherero had between 7 000 and 8 000 armed men (with 2 500 rifles). On the 11.01.1904 Samuel Maharero ordered all Ovaherero chiefs to take up arms against the Germans. He ordered them to "refrain from touching missionaries, English, Basters, Berg-Damaras, Namas and Boers" (also women and children - as a rule - had to be remained untouched) . There were doubts concerning the date of this order. It is possible that Maharero wrote this letter after the outbreak of the war (around 20.01.1904), after the first shots were fired in Okahandja. But, it is not clear at all, who actually fired these first shots (Missionary Diehl reported that only the Germans fired on his house, not the Ovaherero). Samuel Maharero tried to involve the Basters, under Hermanus van Wyk and the Nama under Hendrik Witbooi, in the struggle. The two letters Samuel sent to Witbooi never reached him, and Van Wyk was not willing to support Samuel. Van Wyk handed over the letters for Witbooi to the Germans. In the second of these letters Samuel wrote: "All our obedience and patience with the Germans is of little avail, for each day they shoot someone dead for no reason at all. Hence I appeal to you, my Brother, not to hold aloof from the uprising, but to make your voice heard so that all Africa may take up arms against the Germans. Let us die fighting rather than die as a result of maltreatment, imprisonment or some other form of calamity." These letters were also written after the outbreak of the war. They can therefore not be used as proof of a premeditated insurrection on the part of the Ovaherero.

On the other hand, from the very beginning of the German presence in SWA, substantial numbers of Ovaherero were employed by the German army, either as labourers, wagon drivers, herdsmen, batsmen or even soldiers. After the outbreak of the war a number of Ovaherero continued to serve in the German forces. Some were even killed on the German side.

Gustav Duft tried to negotiate with Samuel Maharero at Okahandja on that fateful day (11.01.1904), to no avail because Maharero and Assa Riarua were at Osona. Chief Ouandja agreed to speak to Duft to win time. On the 12.01.1904, after the first shots in Okahandja (allegedly fired by the Germans), the Ovaherero revolted in many parts of SWA. In the first couple of days 123 Germans were killed (among them 13 active soldiers, seven Boers and five women), goods and cattle were stolen, and infrastructures, buildings and properties were destroyed, mainly between Okahandja and Omaruru. The uprising took place due to loss of control and ownership of traditional land (German native reserve policy), usury by traders, increasing debts, cases of rape, the sale of alcohol, the increasing ill-treatment of Ovaherero and threats to Samuel Maharero’s life (by Okahandja District Chief Zürn. Missionary Wandres reported Gustav Duft saying: "If Zürn had not been in Okahandja, then the issue would not have developed in the manner that it did"). Zürn was later threatened with a German court martial because he was held responsible for the outbreak of the war. A further war cause was the absence of Maharero, Assa Riarua and Leutwein from Okahandja. The many rumours amongst German settlers and soldiers of a possible Ovaherero uprising added to the outbreak of the war, although there were no signs about any envisaged Ovaherero insurrection in early January. On 06.01.1904 Kurt Streitwolf reported on a meeting with Traugott Tjetjo in the Gobabis district. Streitwolf informed that he did not believe that war was imminent. At the Waterberg, Sergeant G Rademacher and missionary Wilhelm Eich reacted to reports by Mrs. Sonnenberg, whose husband, trader G Sonnenberg, had held discussions with Chief David Kambazembi on the growing indebtedness of the Ovaherero. Rademacher and Eich reported that war was unlikely, but that Kambazembi was preparing for a visit of Chief Ouandja at Otjikururume.

The Gobabis-Dama supported the Ovaherero. The Germans were supported by Hendrik Witbooi, but in October 1904 Witbooi was prompted to revolt against German rule by the countless murders and ruthlessness of the Germans, in the light of which – especially after the Waterberg battle in August 1904 – Witbooi’s soldiers realised that the Germans were bent on wiping out all Africans regardless of their tribe or sex.

Leutwein later reported that the war came as a complete surprise to all "white" settlers, including the missionaries, due to the admirable discipline of the Ovaherero in keeping their uprising secret. The reinforcement of soldiers from Germany was slow. Ultimately 14 000 German soldiers were involved, 1500 of whom died. This war effort cost Germany 585 million Mark. The Ovaherero resistance effort was characterised by disorganisation and a lack of co-ordination. The uprising was triggered off at different times: Okahandja: 12.01.; Omaruru: 17.01. and Otjimbingwe: 23.01. New research revealed that the Ovaherero had not anticipated the outbreak of the war, and were quite unprepared for it. Far from seeking their initial overwhelming military advantage, the Ovaherero later sought to withdraw from central SWA and awaited the return of cooler minds (Theodor Leutwein) and the beginning of negotiations. Unfortunately, negotiations were not allowed by the Germans.

Duft, with German official Maass, tried again to negotiate with the Ovaherero but was warned to remain within the Okahandja fort. Only then did violence erupt (12.01.1904). On the 12./13.01. German troops under the command of Lieutenants Boysen and Voigts of Windhoek tried to rescue Okahandja via the railway line, but were driven back. Boysen and six other German soldiers were killed. An armoured train under the command of Lieutenant von Zülow left Swakopmund to rescue Okahandja. The train reached the Waldau railway station on 13.01. One day later, the post offices at Waldau and the Waterberg were destroyed. Violence also erupted at Omarasa, north of the Waterberg. The Waterberg military station was conquered by the Ovaherero. All soldiers under the command of Sergeant G Rademacher were killed. Samuel Maharero allowed missionary Eich with his small party of German women and children safe passage from Waterberg to Okahandja (date of arrival: 09.04.). Headmen such as Michael Tyiseseta, Ouandja, Assa Riarua and David Kambazembi agreed to the safe passage of the Germans. The next day Kurt Streitwolf was involved in a battle with Ovaherero at Oparakane. Von Zülow reached Okahandja with the armoured train following repairs to the partly destroyed railway line between Waldau and Okahandja. Franke, setting out from Gibeon, broke through to Windhoek after only four-and-a-half days (380 km distance) aiming to relieve Okahandja (27.01.) and Omaruru. On 16.01. Gobabis was besieged. A German company from Outjo was ambushed at Okanjande near present-day Otjiwarongo, and on the next day the Ovaherero of Omaruru under Chief Michael Tyiseseta started fighting.

On 18.01. the German battleship "Habicht" landed at Swakopmund, bringing fresh German troops who proceeded into the interior under the command of Second Lieutenant Gygas. The Ovaherero under the command of Headman Batona were defeated in the battle of Uitkomst near Grootfontein. One day later the military station of Otavi was relieved by Germans coming from Grootfontein, and Von Zülow tried to break through from Okahandja to Windhoek but could not proceed further than Osona where he was engaged in a skirmish. On 20.01. a repair team began to repair the destroyed state railway line between Waldau and Karibib. With the outbreak of the war all Ovaherero living in Swakopmund, and those prisoners-of-war captured in the first days of the war, were placed on the ship "Eduard Bohlen" which was anchored off the coast of Swakopmund. Not knowing what to do with the prisoners, the authorities decided to offer the male prisoners to the South African mines at the Witwatersrand which gladly accepted them as cheap forced labour. The next two days saw that the Germans under the command of Lieutenant Maul proceeding to Hoffnung, east of Windhoek, Germans under Lieutenant von Niewitecki relieved the military stations of Seeis, Hohewarte and Hatsamas, and Franke defeated the Ovaherero in the battle of Teufelsbach north of Windhoek.

On the 23.01.1904 the Ovaherero of Otjimbingwe under Chief Zacharias Zeraua started fighting. Samuel Maharero tried in vain to draw the Ovambo into the revolt. According to Finnish missionary Albin Savola, an Ovaherero messenger requested King Kambonde kaMpingana to help the Ovaherero against the Germans. But the Finnish missionaries counselled the Ovambo to remain neutral, and in only one instance – King Nehale’s attack on Namutoni – did they side with the Ovaherero. On 28.01.1904 five hundred Ovambo under King Nehale of the Ondonga area attacked Fort Namutoni. The seven German defenders under the command of Sergeant Großmann fled via Nagusib to Tsumeb during the night. At Nagusib they were rescued by a patrol which was sent by Lieutenant Volkmann from Grootfontein. The Fort Namutoni was destroyed by Nehale’s forces.

On the same day (28.01.) Franke advanced in the direction of Otjosazu but a battle ensued at the slopes of the Kaiser Wilhelm Mountain and the Ovaherero were driven out of their mountain stronghold. Franke moved further to Karibib and Omaruru. On 04.02. Omaruru was only relieved after a fierce battle between Franke and the Ovaherero. Three days later Von Winkler’s section left Windhoek for the east, following a southern route via Kaukurus and Gobabis.

On 09.02.1904 a German sea battalion under the command of Major von Glasenapp arrived in Swakopmund. Two days later Leutwein arrived in Swakopmund from Port Nolloth with the steamer "Ernst Woermann". He commented that "If I were now to go to Okahandja I would allow Samuel to come to me, and you would see, the revolt would be ended". However, he divided the German troops into four sections: a western section under Von Estorff tasked to advance via Omaruru, a main section under Leutwein tasked to attack Samuel Maharero who was probably at Otjosonjati (Königs-Albertshöhe) in the upper Swakop valley, Major von Glasenapp’s eastern section tasked to attack Tjetjo and Lieutenant Gygas’ section tasked to attack the Otjimbingwe Ovaherero. During mid-February, seeking to negotiate, Leutwein sent a letter to Samuel Maharero to ascertain his whereabouts. The German Government reprimanded Leutwein for this attempt to negotiate. When the letter reached the Ovaherero they were assembled in the area of Otjosazu, Ongandjira and Otjosonjati. Missionary Kuhlmann managed to meet Samuel at Otjosonjati where Samuel gave the impression that he would like to end the war.

On 14.02.1904, in the east, Von Glasenapp’s section (leaving Windhoek on 17.02.) and Von Fischel’s section (leaving Windhoek on 14.02.) followed a different route to Von Winkler’s section. Von Glasenapp and Von Fischel moved from Kapp’s Farm via Okaseva in the direction of Kehoro and later to Kanduwe. One day later Germans under Von Fischel were defeated in the battle of Seeis. On 16.02. Gygas defeated the Otjimbingwe Ovaherero under Chief Zeraua in the battle of Lievenberg. On 20.02. the battle of Groß Barmen was won by the Germans, but areas south-west of Okahandja were only cleared after a further battle at Klein Barmen. On the next day Leutwein warned against a policy of exterminating the Ovaherero. On 24.02. Von Glasenapp met Von Winkler at Groß Owikango. The Ovaherero left Kehoro and one day later Victor Franke defeated the Omaruru Ovaherero in the battle of Otjihinamaparero. He wrote in his diary for this day: "A wounded man with a terribly damaged leg is brought in . ... He is questioned and then shot, Von Arnim executes him properly. He is shot from the back without noticing what is happening to the unfortunate man."

On 06.03.1904 Samuel Maharero replied to Leutwein’s letter in great detail (letter from Otjosonjati). From Kuhlmann’s information German headquarters detected Samuel’s whereabouts in the upper Swakop River, west of the Onjati Mountains. About the outbreak of the war Samuel writes the following: "And finally at dawn [11.01.] he [ Zürn] added soldiers to the fort [Okahandja] ... and called me, but if I had come they would have shot me. Because I realised this I fled. Then Leutnant Zürn sent people of the gun on my path to follow me and shoot me. This incensed me and consequently I killed the whites [Mr. and Mrs. Dickmann as well as settler Kuntze] which had damaged us, because my death was ordered. This I heard from a white man present here named M. von Michaelis. This is how the war began. It was initiated by the traders and Zürn. I indicate how the war started, it is not mine. Question the traders and Leutnant Zürn as to their war, when they have told you then we can talk about it. The present war is that of Zürn [Otjiherero: Nambano ovita ovia Zürn].

On 11.03.1904 Leutwein reported that Samuel was positioned along the line of Otjosazu, Okatumba at the Swakop River and Katjapia (with ±1 000 rifles); that Chief Michael Tyiseseta was moving from the Etjo Mountains in an eastward direction (with ±500 rifles); that the Tjetjo community had retreated from Kehoro at the Black Nossob River in the direction of the Onjati Mountains (with ±1 000 rifles); and that more Ovaherero under the command of Zeraua (with ±1 000 rifles) could be found in the area of Otjimbingwe at the Sney River, and at Lievenberg and Oruware at the Swakop River. One day later Von Glasenapp’s unit marched along the Epukiro omuramba (fossil river) via Kanduwe, and Von Winkler along the Black Nossob River to Onjatu where the Germans pursued the Ovaherero under the command of Tjetjo. On 13.03. the battle of Owikokorero was fought between Von Glasenapp and the Ovaherero under Tjetjo, with heavy losses for the Germans (total losses were nearly 70%: seven officers were killed, three wounded and 19 soldiers killed, three wounded). Among others, Hugo von Francois and Lieutenant Eggers were killed. On 16.03. in a skirmish at Erindi Okaserandu, the Germans under the command of Lieutenant Leutwein were surprised by Ovaherero and suffered losses. At the end of March Zeraua left the area of Oruware and moved via Teufelsbach to the east. Zeraua joined the Otjimbingwe and Omaruru Ovaherero at Samuel’s station at Ongandjira in the upper Swakop valley. On 01.04.1904 Von Glasenapp’s unit proceeded in the direction of Otjikuoko without meeting the Tjetjo community. Two days later Tjetjo met the Germans in a battle at a site between Okaharui and Otjikuara, with heavy losses on both sides. On 09.04. the battle of Ongandjira was fought with heavy losses on both sides. The Ovaherero had to give way before a sustained German artillery bombardment commenced, and they escaped in a northerly direction. Samuel Maharero had to retreat to the waterholes of Okatumba and Oviumbo. On 13.04. the battle of Oviumbo was fought and the Germans were nearly defeated. Leutwein decided to withdraw to Otjosazu and await troop reinforcements from Germany. In Germany he was subsequently heavily criticised for his decision. The overwhelming majority in Germany still did not recognise that the Ovaherero nation was fighting for its survival. Von Glasenapp’s unit remained defensive for the time being and was allowed to march to Otjihangwe and later to Otjihaenena (arriving on 24.04.).

On 19.04.1904 the main body of Ovaherero started to move north in the direction of the Waterberg. They first moved to the vlei (pan) at Engarawau. Here they remained until the Germans approached again. Leutwein urged the German press to stop reporting that after the termination of the war all tribal structures – of the Nama communities too – would be destroyed, the chiefdoms abolished and all communities disarmed. This propaganda created considerable unrest among all SWA indigenes, and was one of the causes of the Nama resistance war fought from August 1904 onwards. He wrote the following: "I do not concur with those fanatics who want to see the Herero destroyed altogether. Apart from the fact that a people of 60 000 or 70 000 is not easy to annihilate, I would consider such a move a grave mistake from an economic point of view. We need the Herero as cattle breeders, though on a small scale, and especially as labourers. It will be quite sufficient if they are politically dead." On 28.04. the battle of Okangundi was fought, ending in defeat for the Ovaherero. At the end of May 1904 Leutwein, shortly before General Lothar von Trotha arrived, made one last attempt for a negotiated settlement. He issued the following proclamation, printed in Otjiherero, to the Ovaherero: "You well know that after you have risen against your protector, the German Kaiser, nothing else awaits you but a fight to the death. Until then I cannot stop the war. However, you can stop the war, by coming over to me, handing in your guns and ammunition and receiving your expected punishment. ... ". Subsequently Von Trotha turned down Leutwein’s negotiation efforts and henceforth a negotiated peace was out of the question. When Salatiel Kambazembi sought a negotiated surrender, based on Leutwein’s proclamation of 30.05., Von Trotha noted "That will hardly help him; fought together, caught together, hanged together."

On 11.06.1904 Lothar von Trotha arrived in the territory to take over the military command from Leutwein. Leutwein remained Governor of German SWA. From the beginning, Von Trotha was quite outspoken about his mission, which he saw as personal involvement in a "War of Races". He was convinced that "African tribes ... will only succumb to violent force. It has been and remains my policy to exercise this violence with gross terrorism and even with cruelty. I annihilate the African tribes by floods of money and blood. ... ". By the middle of June Samuel Maharero and his people arrived at Okahitua at the Omatako omuramba. The Witbooi Nama were positioned south of the omuramba, the main German body was north of Owikokorero, and the unit under the command of Von Estorff was at Okamatangara. By July Samuel Maharero occupied the area of Otjozondjupa and the Hamakari River, while Michael Tyiseseta concentrated his forces at Omuveroume between the Little and Great Waterberg. At the beginning of August the German troops had the following initial position for the Waterberg battle: Unit Von Estorff near Otjahewita; Unit Von der Heyde at Omutjatjeira; Unit Mueller at Erindi Ongoahere; Unit Deimling at Okateitei; Unit Von Fiedler at Orupemparora and Unit Volkmann near Otjenga.

On 10.08.1904 Von Trotha planned the final battle from his headquarters at Ombuatjipiro. He put his plans in his own words: "My initial plan for the operation, which I always adhered to, was to encircle the masses of Herero at Waterberg, and to annihilate these masses with a simultaneous blow, then to establish various stations to hunt down and disarm the splinter groups who escaped, later to lay hands on the captains by putting prize money on their heads and finally to sentence them to death". The German troops had the following position on this day: Unit Von Estorff at Okomiparum; Unit Von der Heyde at a position 15 km north east of Hamakari (Ohamakari); Unit Mueller at Ombuatjipiro; Unit Deimling at Okateitei; Unit Von Fiedler at the Osondjache Mountain and Unit Volkmann near Otjenga. On 11.08. the Waterberg battle began. The fighting took place mainly at the areas south-east of the Waterberg (Klein Hamakari and Hamakari (Ohamakari)). There were great losses on both sides. The heaviest fighting occurred at the Hamakari waterhole. The main German section under Von Trotha advanced from Ombuatjipiro to Hamakari. Berthold von Deimling proceeded from Omuveroume. Von der Heyde attacked from Okakarara, east of Hamakari. At Otjosongombe Von Estorff started firing on Ovaherero, and defeated them early on 12.08. All other advances planned by the Germans failed on this day. Von Deimling did not succeed in realising Von Trotha’s plan to trap and defeat the Ovaherero. An official report later announced: "The bold enterprise shows up in the most brilliant light the ruthless energy of the German command in pursuing their beaten enemy. No pains, no sacrifices were spared in eliminating the last remnants of enemy resistance. Like a wounded beast the enemy was tracked down from one waterhole to the next, until finally he became a victim of his own environment. The arid Omaheke was to complete what the German army had begun: the extermination of the Herero nation." Major Stuhlmann described in his diary for this day a scene from the battle of Ohamakari where he reflected on the horrors of war and of a wounded Ovaherero child lying next to his cannon: " ... the little worm had flung his arm around the wheel of the cannon, which had possibly destroyed his other family members ... we had been explicitly told beforehand, that this dealt with the extermination of a whole tribe, nothing living was to be spared." Many dead Ovaherero soldiers were buried by the Germans on Hamakari (Ongwero). On 12.08. Von Deimling advanced to Hamakari, and this was the last straw for the Ovaherero who started fleeing in a south-easterly direction into the waterless Omaheke.

One day later (13.08.1904) Von Deimling and Von Mühlenfels set off in hot pursuit of the main group of Ovaherero advancing to Omutjatjewa. A one-day delay gave Samuel Maharero a lead and saved his life because the Germans were unable to catch up. But a tragic scene unfolded: a nation fled without food or water. The German troops proceeded as far as Ombujo-Wakune. Samuel reached the waterholes of Erindi-Endeka. On 15.08. Von Estorff and Von der Heyde defeated the Ovaherero in the battle of Omatupa and prevented them from escaping in a north-easterly direction. The next day saw Von Trotha's announcement of new battle plans to prevent the Ovaherero from re-establishing themselves in the territory. Consequently the Germans tried to shut off the Omaheke on a line reaching from Otjimanangombe via Epata, Otjosondu and Osondema to Otjituuo. For physical and strategic reasons the Germans were not able to realise these plans in their entirety. On 21.08. Von Trotha fixed a price of 5 000 Mark on Samuel Maharero’s head. During September the Ovaherero assembled at Okahandja North between the Omatako omuramba and the Eiseb omuramba. They fled further via Otjinene, Epata, Osombo-Windimbe (Ozombo ja Windimba) and Erindi-Ombahe, following the course of the Eiseb omuramba. Zacharias Zeraua from Otjimbingwe reported later that the chiefs Samuel Maharero from Okahandja, Banjo from Otjombonde, David and Salatiel Kambazembi from Waterberg, Ouandja from Otjikururume, Kayata from Otjihaenena, Michael Tyiseseta from Omaruru, Katjahingi and Assa Riarua had assembled at Osombo Onjatu at the Eiseb omuramba. The chiefs Mambo and Tjetjo were also at the Eiseb omuramba, at the waterholes Otjinene and Epata.

On 02.09.1904 Von Estorff’s forces attacked Owinauanaua, dislodging the chiefs Mambo and Tjetjo and forcing them to flee eastwards in the direction of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. Tjetjo died of thirst at Oruaromunjo and Mambo died of exhaustion while following Tjetjo. The few Ovaherero who survived the thirst, including Samuel Maharero, arrived later in Bechuanaland. This was the second wave of Ovaherero to flee into present-day Botswana (after the Ovambanderu war of 1896). Some Ovaherero also escaped northwards into Ovamboland. For instance, Daniel Kariko, the former group leader from Okombahe, fled to the Ongandjera King, Tshaanika Tsha Natshilongo after first escaping to Walvis Bay. Later he moved to South Africa. During their move to the north, some Ovaherero clashed with the San group of the Hai||om under the leadership of the Hai||om Chief Arisib. Few Ovaherero were killed by the Hai||om in the skirmish of Namutoni. Ondonga King Nehale later gave an order to kill Arisib. Other Ovaherero fled into the Kaokoveld, the Kavango (Omuramba rivers south of the Okavango River into the area of the Uukwangali King Himarua as well as the Omuramba Dikundu near Andara) and Angola (Fort Dirico (Gciriku area in the Kavango) and Humpata). Others again moved to Shakawe in the northern Bechuanaland and the Caprivi Strip (Kabulabula at the Chobe River). Some Ovaherero managed to slip through the German cordons and headed westwards into central SWA, and had to remain living undetected in the more inhospitable areas of the territory (Khomas Hochland and the course of the Kuiseb River).

On 23.09.1904 Von Estorff requested Von Trotha to start negotiations with the Ovaherero, but the request was rejected. However, one week later Von Trotha decided not to pursue the Ovaherero any further. On 02.10.1904 Von Trotha issued a proclamation threatening the Ovaherero with total extinction: "The Herero are no longer German subjects. They have murdered and plundered. ... Now, out of cowardice, they want to give up the fight. ... The Herero nation must leave the country. If it will not do so I shall compel it by force. Inside German territory every Herero tribesman, armed or unarmed, with or without cattle, will be shot. No women and children will be allowed in the territory: they will be driven back to their people or fired on. These are the last words to the Herero nation from me, the great General of the mighty German Emperor."

Von Trotha’s proclamation was in effect the mere legal sanctioning of that which, as the numerous diaries of the German Schutztruppe soldiers showed, has already been commonplace since early 1904. Some diary entries may serve as examples: Lieutenant H.F.R. Knoke wrote on 08.07.1904: "Of the five captured Herero four have been hung. The fifth is used for labour purposes"; 09.07.: "Our prisoner has a noose around his neck which is then attached to the saddle of a horse. The particular Witbooi ensures that things do not become too comfortable for him"; 16.08.: "A captured Herero female was, ... , set free. However, the bitterness of the people is great. The female had barely left the encampment when two shots were fired. A sign that this one had also left its life."; 07.10: "As last night we had noticed a number of fires in our vicinity, we looked for tracks this morning, ... We junior officers galloped ahead, our men followed on foot. We took the werft [settlement], shot down part of the inhabitants, the remainder we took along as prisoners". In the diaries of Emil Malzahn, who accompanied Von Trotha on one of his pursuits, it was noted that prisoners taken on 26.09. at the waterhole of Owisombo-Owidimbo, were summarily executed: "Newly caught Herero prisoners-of-war were hung by the neck. Since that day, I would often see Herero swaying from the branch of a tree". Von Trotha’s genocide and chain orders, however, were later mitigated by the German Government. During a field service at Osombo-Windimbe Von Trotha announced that the war against the Ovaherero would be continued without mercy. He claimed that " ... Since I neither can nor will come to terms with these people without express orders from His Majesty the Emperor and King, it is essential that all sections of the nation be subjected to rather stern treatment. I have begun to administer such treatment on my own initiative and, barring orders to the contrary, will continue to do so as long I am in command here. My intimate knowledge of so many Central African tribes - Bantu and others - has made it abundantly plain to me that Negroes will yield only to brute force, while negotiations are quite pointless. Before my departure yesterday I ordered the warriors captured recently to be court-martialled and hanged and all women and children who sought shelter here to be driven back into the sandveld ... ". At dawn the following morning, Ovaherero prisoners-of-war who had been sentenced to death by a field court martial were hung in the presence of about 30 Ovaherero prisoners-of-war, women and children amongst them. After the hanging, Von Trotha’s proclamation was read out to the prisoners in Otjiherero.

On 02.11.1904 the Germans under the command of First Lieutenant von Beesten invited the Ovaherero to Ombakaha (Omuramba Ganas) allegedly to negotiate but instead, the latter were massacred (most of the 70 Ovaherero who came to surrender). Ovaherero chiefs Joel Kavizeri from Okahandja and Saul from Otjenga were also killed there. Von Beesten reported: " ... I gave orders to open fire. For a brief period of time the enemy vigorously returned the fire, but then careened down the hillside, pursued by our shells and bullets, to come to a halt at a distance of approximately 300 metres. In the meantime the kapteins and headmen had tried to escape and had all been killed within a radius of 10 to 300 metres ... About 12 noon the remainder of the enemy withdrew. As far as I know, no one escaped unscathed ... There were no casualties on our side."

On 07.12.1904 Samuel Maharero arrived with his group at Tsau, approximately 40 km north of Lake Ngami in Bechuanaland (to-day Botswana) and from there proceeded to Makalamabedi at the Botletle River. In 1907 he moved on to the Transvaal in South Africa. In spite of the war between the Germans and the Ovaherero and Nama, the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (WNLA) continued its recruitment campaign for the gold mines of the Transvaal. Maharero and many of his followers were also recruited.

On 08.12.1904 Chief Michael Tyiseseta and nine followers escaped the Germans and Michael handed himself over to the British authorities in Walvis Bay. He died 1927 (or 1926 according to other sources) in Krugersdorp (South Africa). His remains are to be transferred to Namibia in 2004. Between 800 and 1 000 Ovaherero made their way to Walvis Bay and approximately 1 175 to British Bechuanaland. Some Ovaherero including Haingombe, Wilhelm Katjisume, Thomas Mutate and Martin Kazerewi escaped into Angola, where they joined Vita Tom. Later the Okahandja Ovaherero preferred the leadership of Salatiel Kambazembi who temporarily also joined Vita.

On 09.12.1904 the German Emperor instructed Von Trotha (letter by German Chancellor, Bernhard Fürst von Bülow, dated 11.12.) to erect, with the assistance of the missions, concentration camps in which to confine surviving Ovaherero. (The concept of "concentration camps" was borrowed from South Africa , where only a few years ago the British had been responsible for thousand of deaths, using concentration camps in the Boer War, 1899-1902). As such the new German camps were called Konzentrationslager and throughout the colony the scattered Ovaherero were rounded up and sent to these camps. In consequence of the imperial order, Ludwig von Estorff, who was at this stage stationed at Owinauanaua at the Eiseb omuramba, called upon the Ovaherero to surrender and promised to spare their lives and resettle them in the areas from which they originally came. But Von Trotha reacted to Von Estorff by saying "You have nothing to promise." One of the leaders who trusted Von Estorff’s promise was Chief Zacharias Zeraua from Otjimbingwe. In breach of Von Estorff’s promise, Zeraua was not permitted to return to Otjimbingwe. Instead in captivity Zeraua was immediately interrogated and charged with instigating the murder of "white" settlers. Later in Court (22.05.1905) Zeraua stated under oath: "Before the beginning of the war I did not hold meetings with the captains in Okahandja, therefore I knew nothing of an impending war. I also did not receive a letter from Samuel that he wanted to make war."

In January 1905 German troops had imprisoned a total of 8 889 Ovaherero men, women and children. The Rhenish Missionary Society imprisoned approximately 12500 more Ovaherero. Including the Ovaherero who escaped to British Bechuanaland, Walvis Bay and other areas, it can be deduced that of the pre-war population of about 80 000 Ovaherero, only about 24 000 survived. Many more were still to die in the concentration camps in the years to come. One concentration camp was situated in Windhoek, just north of the Alte Feste, with thousands of prisoners, where many executions took place (at the location of the present Christuskirche (Christ Church) and the monument "Rider of South West"). With the mediation of the German missionaries, during December 1905, Von Lindequist called again on the Ovaherero to return in peace and submit to German authority. The Ovaherero should assemble in Otjihaenena (Okatumba)(missionary Diehl) and Omburo (near Omaruru)(missionary Kuhlmann). Further concentration camps were established in Otjosazu and later Otjosongombe. With Heinrich Vedder of the Rhenish Mission in German South West Africa at Swakopmund by his side to translate "sentence for sentence" from German into Otjiherero, Von Lindequist chastised the assembled Ovaherero prisoners-of-war for unjustly causing the war. He announced that they are now living the punishment they deserved: "That your people are now destroyed, that so many have been miserably killed, that some of your chiefs have gone over the border, that you find yourselves imprisoned, that is your own fault. ..." He then remarked that he could not ameliorate their suffering until all Ovaherero had come in from the field. "You have the opportunity to send them the message to surrender themselves. Fair treatment is guaranteed to them ... but I can say to you that every one who conducts himself well will also be treated well ... ". What Von Lindequist meant by "good conduct" was co-operation in a system of forced labour which the Germans had established as the heart of the camp system. Documents describing in detail the location of the Swakopmund camp (or camps) have not yet come to light. Possibly one camp was established initially near the port department on the open beach. Later an additional main camp was established north of the Swakopmund State Railway Station. One eye witness (Hugo Fraser) described the situation at the beach camp (before Von Trotha arrived): "When I got to Swakopmund I saw very many Herero prisoners of war had been captured in the rebellion which was still going on in the country. There must have been about 600 men, women and children prisoners. They were in an enclosure on the beach, fenced in with barbed wire. The women were made to do hard labour just like the men. The sand is very deep and heavy there. The women had to load and unload carts and trolleys, and also to draw Scotch-cart loads of goods to Nonidas where there was a depot. The women were put in spans of eight to each Scotch-cart and were made to pull like draught animals. Many were half-starved and weak, and died of sheer exhaustion. Those who did not work well were brutally flogged with sjamboks. I even saw women knocked down with pick handles. The German soldiers did this. I personally saw six women murdered by German soldiers. They were ripped open with bayonets. I saw the bodies. I was there for six months, and the Hereros died daily in large numbers as a result of exhaustion, ill-treatment and exposure." This report was confirmed by Heinrich Vedder of the Rhenish Mission in German South West Africa who wrote to the Rhenish Missionary Society that the Ovaherero "were placed behind a double row of barbed wire ... and housed in pathetic structures constructed out of simple sacking and planks, in such a manner that in one structure 30 - 50 people were forced to stay without distinction to age or sex. From early morning until late at night, on weekends as well as on Sundays and holidays, they had to work under the clubs of raw overseers until they broke down. Added to this food was extremely scarce. Rice without any necessary additions was not enough to support their bodies, already weakened by life in the field [as refugees] and used to the hot sun of the interior, from the cold and restless exertion of all their powers in the prison conditions in Swakopmund. Like cattle hundreds were driven to death and like cattle they were buried. This opinion might seem hard or exaggerated. ... but the chronicle may not withhold such a remorseless rawness, lusty sensuality, brutal overlordship broadly perpetrated here by troops and civilians. A full description is hardly possible." An estimate reveals that in total between 2 250 and 2 750 Ovaherero prisoner-of-war (men, women and children) died in the Swakopmund camps between 1905 and 1908. Virtually nothing is recorded about the disposition of those who died. Most likely they were buried in the old cemetery bordered by the Swakop River to the south and Kramersdorf to the north.

In September 1906 the Ovaherero prisoner-of-war camps at Otjihaenena (Okatumba) and Omburo were closed. New camps were established at Otjosongombe at the Waterberg (missionary Olpp) and Okomitombe near Gobabis (missionary Diehl). In the camps, Ovaherero leaders and men of fighting age, allegedly involved in complicity in the war, were systematically sought out, tried in court martials and executed, usually by hanging. In some cases the missionaries were allowed to minister to some of these unfortunates. Missionary Meier, who was deeply affected by one particular incident in 1905, described in great length the final days of Zacharias Kukuri, the former Chief of Otjosazu. In the days leading up to his execution, Kukuri’s arms were bound behind his back, even though he suffered from smallpox. When finally he was led to the gallows, the noose was laid around his neck. "And then - never will I forget that moment - the unheard happened, as he fell the noose slipped, and the wretch fell to the ground. ... Soon however two soldiers were there, they lifted him up, and then a little to the side, on orders of the major who led the proceedings, he was shot."

The concentration camps were officially closed in 1908. Henceforth all Ovaherero over the age of seven years were forced to carry metal identification discs around their necks. In 1911 the census revealed that of the original Ovaherero population of 80 000, about 15 130 were still alive, and of the original Nama population of 20 000, about 9 781 were still alive (the census also established 18 613 Dama and 4 858 San; no census was done in Ovamboland). An estimate for 1912 revealed that 19 721 Ovaherero were again living in the colony. But, it has to be mentioned that the source for this "census" is uncertain and has to be verified by further research. It has also to be stated that absolute evidence of the number of perished Ovaherero and Nama does not exist, the numbers that are accepted will depend on what the various historians wish to prove by them. It is also not relevant whether the treatment of the Ovaherero and other Namibian communities by the Germans represents genocide or not. According to the UN Convention of 1948, genocide is not defined along numerical lines but as "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, as such".

One of the more appalling features of this mass destruction of human lives was the kind of open publicity exhibited by the Germans. Picture postcards were produced showing an complete disregard for human suffering. One postcard showed scenes of prisoners being hanged in the presence of women and children. These postcards mirrored a representation as though these occurrences were a quasi-normal feature in the lives of Africans to be subjected to inhuman treatment and the regular application of brute force. In other aspects as well, the first genocide of the 20th century can be considered one of the most publicised. There were popular novels, autobiographies and literature of colonial experiences, most of them extolled the exploits and sufferings of the German Schutztruppe soldiers, scarcely mentioning the suffering of the Namibian people. These publications included reports of killing not only Namibian fighters but old people, women and children as well. Together with the warnings about the "dangers of race-mixing" between German colonists and African women by the "geneticist" Eugen Fischer, such propaganda underpinned the inhuman treatment of Namibians in a foretaste of things to come for Jews, Blacks, Gypsies and other minority groups in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. To this was added a system of strict segregation by the German authorities in SWA. This system was marked by systematic discrimination, linked to harnessing the labour force of dispossessed Namibians in the sole interest of the new economic order centred on "white" settlement. In many ways this was the precursor to the later South African policy of "Apartheid", some four decades later.

In the case of the Namibian genocide 1904-1908, consecutive German governments, regardless of their political affiliation, have consistently evaded even a formal political apology for the first genocide of the 20th century. This has been declined on the grounds that it might constitute an argument for the descendants of the surviving Namibians to claim for damages. For instance, the German Social Democratic Chancellor Gerhardt Schröder, during his first visit ever to the African continent in January 2004, visited South Africa and overflow Namibia on his way from South Africa to Ghana. He studiously avoided setting foot in the former German colony and thereby simply evaded this German contribution to Namibia's colonial history. This happened when his Social Democratic ancestor August Bebel made his famous speech before the German Parliament on 17.03.1904, a hundred years ago: He condemned the "suppression war" against the Ovaherero. He further demanded the termination of the war and refused to budget for its continuation. He called the resistance of the Ovaherero a "justified liberation war".

During World War One Ovaherero soldiers under the command of South African army officers and dispatched by their leader Samuel Maharero, assisted in the invasion of German SWA. As the South African forces moved on deeper into SWA, Ovaherero at all levels of society deserted their German employers and returned to their former areas of living, seek freedom in the bushes, or found employment with the advancing South African forces. In July 1920, Frederick Maharero, oldest son of Samuel Maharero, was allowed to visit SWA. Missionaries reported that Maharero was collecting money from his father’s followers, so that a farm could be bought for Samuel Maharero. But, Samuel never saw his fatherland again. He died in exile in Serowe in Bechuanaland on 14.03.1923. On 23.08.1923 Samuel Maharero’s body was brought to Okahandja. A uniformed Ovaherero honour guard which was led by Hosea Kutako, Samuel’s sons Traugott and Frederick as well as Mr. Warner, the magistrate of Okahandja, met Maharero’s coffin as his train steamed into Okahandja station. For three days Samuel’s remains were placed in state in the house of Traugott Maharero. Samuel Maharero’s burial in Okahandja on 26.08.1923 – alongside his forefathers – was a gesture of defiance and a symbol of regained pride for the Ovaherero community.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

Mother: Katare
Father: Maharero (Kamaharero)

Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.200 (Report on burial in Okahandja, including his last message his people)
RAW DATA: Lau 1995:243; DSAB II:428; Pool 1991; Sundermeier 1987; Heywood 1992; Drechsler 1966: passim; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks); The Namibian (Kössler and Melber): 06.02.2004;

002196
Maharero, Traugott
*
+
---
Traugott Maharero was a son of Samuel Maharero. In August 1916 the South African Administrator’s Office (Administrator: E.H.L. Gorges) informed that: "Under the German Law no native was allowed to possess any riding animals or large stock. Contrary to the provisions of this law the acquisition of livestock is now sanctioned as it will tend to make the Native more contented and law abiding". In consequence of this policy leaders such as Traugott Maharero were officially recognised as Ovaherero chiefs. However, on 08.08.1918 Traugott Maharero was physically assaulted by South African soldiers (Labuschagne and Hendrik Jacobus Uys Janse van Rensburg) in Okahandja. In January 1922 the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) opened a branch office in Windhoek. Ovaherero leaders such as Hosea Kutako, Aron (John) Mungunda (brother of Kutako who had fought during World War One on the British side against the Germans in Tanganyika), Traugott Maharero (Chief of the Okahandja-Ovaherero) and Nikanor Hoveka, later appointed by the South Africans as chief of the Epukiro Reserve, were the dominating figures of UNIA in Windhoek.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001708
Maharero, Wilhelm
[Kauaita - Otjiherero name]
* ca.1848
+ 12.12.1880 at Okahandja
---
Wilhelm Maharero was born around 1848. His Otjiherero name was Kauaita. He was a son of Kamaharero Maharero, one of the first christianised Ovaherero. He was one of the first students at the Augustineum in Otjimbingwe. He married Magdalena, an Ovaherero teacher who had been trained in Stellenbosch. He travelled with Palgrave to Cape Town in 1879. He died in action on 12.12.1880 at Okahandja in a fight against the forces of Jan Jonker Afrikaner.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Schreiber 1884; Irle 1915; Reith 1982;

001709
Maharero, Wilhelm
*
---
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:355;

001710
Maharero, Willi
*
---
Willi Maharero was a nephew of Samuel Maharero. He fled to Bechuanaland near Rietfontein.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:198;

000981
Mähler, Anna Johanna Maria
[Mähler, Annie - short name]
[Delport, Anna Johanna Maria - birth name]
[van Rooyen, Anna Johanna Maria - remarried name]
* 11.10.1887 in South Africa
+ in South Africa
---
Anna Johanna Maria Mähler, née Delport, was born on 11.10.1887 in South Africa. She married Oskar Mähler at Schweizer-Reneke on 22.06.1896 and followed her husband to Namibia, where he bought the farm Gui-|ganabis (Marienthal) with his brother-in-law, Hermann Brandt. After Mähler's killing by Witbooi-Nama on 04.10.1904, she was given safe passage to Gibeon by the Witboois. She returned to the Transvaal, where she married Johan Christiaan van Rooyen.
---
Gender: f

Married to: <1>Ernst Oskar Bernhardt Mähler (-1904), married 1896-1904
<2>Johan Christiaan van Rooyen
Children: Sarah Josephine Lilian (Lilly) Mähler (1897-)
RAW DATA: Zondagh 1991:91-93;

000977
Mähler, Ernst Oskar Bernhardt
*
+ 04.10.1904 at Farm Mariental
---
Ernst Oskar Bernhardt Mähler was a trader and farmer. He purchased the farm Gui-|ganabis (later named Marienthal) together with his brother-in-law Hermann Brandt from Hendrik Witbooi on 24.03.1895. He served as a guide and transport rider for the firm Wecke & Voigts. He was killed by Witbooi fighters, together with his other brother-in-law Izak Delport, at Mariental on 04.10.1904, while his mother, wife and daughter were given safe passage by the Witboois to Gibeon.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR

Married to: Anna Johanna Maria (Annie) Mähler, née Delport, married 1896-
Mother: Josephine Helena Mähler, née Likie (1852-1925)
Father: Karl Bernhard Mähler (-1901)
Children: Sarah Josephine Lilian (Lilly) Mähler (1897-)
RAW DATA: Zondagh 1991:991-94,101;

000978
Mähler, Josephine Helena
[Likie, Josephine Helena - birth name]
* 19.03.1852
+ 14.03.1923 at Mariental
---
Josephine Helena Mähler was born on 19.03.1852 in South Africa. She came in 1901, after the death of her husband in the Orange Free State, from South Africa to Namibia to live on her son Oskar's farm Mariental. She died there on 14.03.1923.
---
Gender: f

Married to: Karl Bernhard Mähler (-1901)
Children: Tina Mähler (married Weiland)
Anna Maria Bismarck (Marie) Mähler (married Brandt)
Ernst Oskar Bernhardt Mähler (-1904)
RAW DATA: Zondagh 1991:93-94;

000979
Mähler, Sarah Josefine Lilian
[Mähler, Lilly - short name]
* 10.03.1897 at Otjihavera
---
Sarah Josefine Lilian Mähler was born on 10.03.1897 at Otjihavera. She was baptised by the Rhenish missionary Heidmann at Rehoboth. she witnessed the killing of her father Oskar at Mariental on 04.10.1904 but was given safe passage with her mother and grandmother.
---
Gender: f

Mother: Anna Johanna Maria (Annie) Mähler, née Delport (1872-)
Father: Ernst Oskar Bernhardt Mähler (-1904)
RAW DATA: Zondagh 1991:94,101;

000378
Mahomed, Ismail
* .1931 at Pretoria, South Africa
+ 06.2000 at Johannesburg, South Africa
---

Mahomed was born in 1931 in Pretoria and trained as a lawyer in South Africa. He was admitted as an advocate at the Johannesburg Bar in 1957, where he practised under great difficulties as a "non-white" lawyer. He never resided in Namibia, but was involved in the writing of the Namibian Constitution, and acted in an advisory capacity to SWAPO. From December 1992 to February 1999, he served in addition to his South African duties (without pay) as Chief Justice of the Republic of Namibia. In 1996, he was appointed Chief Justice of South Africa. He died in June 2000 in Johannesburg.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW
Profession: Lawyer
Functions: Chief Justice of Namibia - 1992-1999

Married to: Hava Mahomed

Namibia National Archives Database

002048
Mahura, Jan
[Molifie, Jan - alias]
[rapiet - alias]
*
---
Jan Mahura was a hunter and trader. He was either a Bechuana or a Griqua. He travelled with J. Chapman and Edwards from Ngamiland to Walvis Bay in 1855.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:72;

002076
Majavero, Alfons
[Fumu, traditional title]

*
+
---
Fumu Alfons Majavero, together with Fumu Frans Dimbare, ruled on Tanhwe Island in the Okavango River as Chief of the Mbukushu area in the Kavango from 1969 until 1991. He was the sixteenth in the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002075
Makushe, Max, Mbukushu Chief
[Fumu, traditional title]

*
+
---
In the Kavango, Mbukushu King Disho II was deposed by the South Africans in 1947 (due to alleged illegal hunting of the "royal" game, a hippopotamus) and banned to Botswana. He was the fourteenth in the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. From 1947 until 1969 Fumu (traditional title) Max Makushe was the Mbukushu Chief. After him the Mbukushu Kings Fumu 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);

001021
Malherbe, Izak Abraham
* 15.10.1914 at Paarl, South Africa
---
Izak Abraham Malherbe was born on 15.10.1914 at Paarl in South Africa. He was educated at the Paarl Boys High School and the University of Cape Town. He was a Managing Director of Motors Tractors (SWA) in Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman

Father: I.A. Malherbe
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001022
Malherbe, Petrus Jacobus
* 01.08.1922 at Bloemfontein, South Africa
---
Petrus Jacobus Malherbe was born on 01.08.1922 at Bloemfontein in South Africa. He was educated at the University of the Orange Free State and Stellenbosch. He was an auditor and accountant. He became a partner of P.J. Malherbe & Co. and Chairman of the Rehoboth Beleggings- en Ontwikkelings Korp.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS

Married to: Wilma Malherbe, née Willemse, married 1951-
Father: Daniel Francois Malherbe

Namibia National Archives Database

000380
Malima, Nashikoto Elizabeth
* .1897 at Omangongo
+ 06.2000 at Windhoek
---
Nashikoto Elizabeth Malima, who was born in 1897 at Omandongo in the Oshikoto Region, became known as the mother of Andimba Toivo ya Toivo but also as a political activist in her own right and as a mentor of young SWAPO activists in the 1970s. She lived in Iino, Omangundu, Omkhozi and Oluno, until South African police harassment forced her to move to Windhoek in 1980. She died in Windhoek at the age of 103 in June 2002.
---
Gender: f

Married to: Toivo Andimba Uushona Mwandeke (-1935)
Mother: Shinyenge Amutenya
Father: Malima Kamushila
Children: Andimba Herman Toivo ya Toivo
Nestory Toivo
Ester Shikongo

Namibia National Archives Database

001711
Malinowski, Johann
* at Posen, Germany (now Poland)
First entry to Namibia: 1899
---
Johann Malinowski was born at Posen in Germany (now Poland). He was a Roman-Catholic missionary, of Polish nationality but German citizen. He came to Africa in 1899. He was ordained as a priest in Pella on 12.11.1899, and stationed in Heirachabis on 26.11.1899. Having the trust of both sides, he served an important role as peace mediator in several negotiations between German and !Gami-#nun (Bondelswarts) forces during the German-Nama War 1903-1907. In April 1905 first peace negotiations between Germans and Jakob Marengo (Father Johann Malinowski as mediator) were unsuccessful. Renewed peace negotiations between the Germans and Jakob Marengo and Cornelius Frederiks in 5Khauxa!nas (again with Father Johann Malinowski as mediator) failed because the Germans attacked the Nama during the armistice. Lieutenant Thilo von Trotha was killed during the skirmishes. Apparently because of his financial indiscipline, which left the Heirachabis mission heavily indebted, Malinowski was recalled to Europe and spent the rest of his life as spiritual advisor in a nun's convent in Chotieschau in Czechia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

RAW DATA: Wehrl 1994; Drechsler 1966:230-231, 235;

001023
Mandume ya Ndemufayo, Ovamboland (Uukwanyama) King
* ca.1894
+ 06.02.1917 at Oihole, Angola
---
Mandume ya Ndemufayo became the fifteenth King of Uukwanyama after the death of King Nande in 1911, at the age of about seventeen. King Mandume was not a direct descendant of the Uukwanyama kings. Despite some despotic traits of his rule, he became popular among the people by centralising power and reducing the power of the nobles, whose strength and arbitrary action had grown under the previous weak kings. The larger part of Uukwanyama was, according to the colonial delimitation, situated in Angola, and Mandume was quite successfully fighting the Portuguese military.

In 1914, in southern Angola the Ombandja King Shihetekela Hiudulu was re-organising his resistance against the Portuguese troops. He was able to hand over a large consignment of conquered Portuguese weaponry to his ally, King Mandume ya Ndemufayo. However, during World War One the Portuguese troops forced King Shihetekela to retreat from Ombandja into the Uukwanyama area. On 02.09.1915, the British commander Pritchard (the British had just conquered German SWA) agreed to protect King Mandume ya Ndemufayo against further Portuguese advances from Angola, after Mandume and his fighters failed, despite a three-day battle against Portuguese General Pereira de Eça at Omongwa (16.08.-19.08.1915), to halt the Portuguese invasion into that part of his kingdom.

Consequently Mandume moved his capital from Ondjiva in Angola to Oihole in the south, 6 km north of Odibo in present-day Angola. The Ombandja King Shihetekela supported Mandume. He settled at Etomba. The headman Ndjukuma Shilengifa moved from Oihole to the Omedi area. He later supported the South African forces. The Ovahimba Chief Vita Tom, however, again fought on the Portuguese side. South African officials initially favoured Mandume, whom they perceived as a strong leader who efficiently controlled his subjects. The administration in northern SWA after the SA takeover from Germany was very small in scale. Aside from the military expedition of 1917 aimed at removing Mandume, the South African colonial presence was weak for the first 15 years, and was only consolidated after the serious drought, famine and depression of the late 1920s and early 1930s. On 05.09.1915 Mandume’s capital Ondjiva was taken by the Portuguese. On 11.09. an agreement that resolved the Kunene border "waterfall dispute" was reached between South Africa and Portugal. The disputed 11 km strip (neutral zone) would be jointly administered by the two powers. The 17°23'10" south position was the provisional "cut-line border". Namakunde became the place of residence of a South African and a Portuguese representative. This partitioning of the Uukwanyama area brought Mandume into an impossible situation, where he was forced to defy both the SA and Portuguese authorities. The British demanded from him an undertaking not to fight the Portuguese any more, and to send migrant workers, both of which he refused.

In 1916, in order to secure control over Ovamboland, and especially over King Mandume ya Ndemufayo, South Africa appointed Carl Hugo "Cocky" Hahn as Intelligence Officer to gather information on Mandume. In 1917 King Mandume ya Ndemufayo finally refused to accept the boundary between Angola and SWA. Therefore the South Africans sent an expeditionary force which attacked Mandume. SA Colonel M.J. de Jager started moving his forces against King Mandume’s capital, Oihole on 03.02.1917. On 06.02. Mandume’s royal residence, although deserted, was destroyed by the South Africans. According to Uukwanyama oral "evidence", Mandume committed suicide during the ensuing battle. The South Africans claimed that he was killed by Maxim machine-gun fire, and apparently they (Lieutenant Thomas Edward Moroney) later decapitated him. A popular myth has it that the British buried the head under the Mandume Campaign Memorial at the Windhoek Railway Station. On 18.02.1917 SA Lieutenant Carl Hugo "Cocky" Hahn witnessed the traditional burial of King Mandume ya Ndemufayo. The Uukwanyama kingdom was left without an heir to the throne following Mandume’s death. The memory of Mandume was kept alive and served as an inspiration to the ongoing Namibian anticolonial resistance struggle. Only in 1998, after the independence of the Republic of Namibia, Cornelius Mwetupunga Shelungu was sworn in as the new Uukwanyama King.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Kotse/Botha/van Staden; An alleged signature by Mandume's own hand is reproduced in: Keiling: Quarento años de Africa, p.176; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

Mandume_1916.jpg (36913 bytes)

001713
Manning
*
---
In 1878, clerk and deputy of Palgrave; 1879, government official in Walvis Bay.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:72;

001026
Manning, Peter
*
---
Peter Manning was a full-time functionary of SWAPO in Namibia between 1976 and 1978. He went into exile, and in 1978-1989 he was based in SWAPO's London Office as information officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

001656
Mannhardt, Johannes
* 26.04.1880
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer

RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:260;

001027
Mans, Philip Gert
* 02.03.1927 at Carnarvon, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1952
---
Philip Gert Mans was born on 02.03.1927 at Carnarvon in South Africa. He came to Namibia in 1952. He was the Managing Director of Furniture Packers and Removers (Pty) Ltd.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman

Married to: Anna Mans, née Visser, married 1952-
Father: John Mans

Namibia National Archives Database

001657
Mansfeld, Arthur
* 21.01.1869
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer

RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:143;

000715
Marais, Charl Francois
* 02.05.1904 at Maraisburg, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1955
---
Charl Francois Marais was born on 02.05.1904 at Maraisburg in South Africa. He was educated at Maraisburg, Villiersdorp and the University of Pretoria in South Africa. In 1924 he joined the South African Civil Service. In 1944 he was a Magistrate and in 1950 a Senior Magistrate. In 1952 he became an Assistant Secretary in the South African Department of Justice and in 1954 Under-Secretary. On 01.07.1955 he was transferred to the SWA Administration. He became the Secretary for South West Africa as from the 03.08.1957. He was the Chairman of the SWA Tender Board, the SWA Import Control Committee, the Land Bank Board, the Farming Interests Board, the SWA Diamond Board, the Fisheries Development Board and the Municipal Advisory Board.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ADM
Profession: Civil servant

Married to: Anna Cecilia Marais, née du Plessis, married 1930-
Father: Gert Hendrik Pretorius Marais

RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

000755
Marais, Francois Johannes
* 06.02.1902 at Ebenezer, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1926
---
Francois Johannes Marais was born on 06.02.1902 at Ebenezer in South Africa. He was educated at the University of Cape Town and the Trinity College in the United Kingdom. He was a medical practitioner. He came to Namibia in 1926. He was the Resident Medical Officer Windhoek since 1930. He was the Chairman of the United Building Society, the Chairman of the United National South West Party and the Deputy Mayor of Windhoek from 1957 to 1958.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED POL

Married to: Julia Marais, née Rood, married 1929-
Father: Francois Johannes Marais
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001714
Marais, Pieter
*
First entry to Namibia: 1761
Last departure from Namibia: 1762
---
Participant of Hendrik Hop's expedition to Namibia, 1761/62.
---
Gender: m

Namibia National Archives Database

001715
Maratjo
*
---
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:176;

000756
Marchand, Jacques
*
---
French anti-apartheid activist. Was President of the Mouvement Anti-Apartheid in Paris.
---
Gender: m

Namibia National Archives Database

000368
Marcks, Gerhard
* .1889 in Germany
+ .1981
---
Gerhard Marcks was one of the greatest German sculptors of the 20th century and made several study tours to Africa, including Namibia, resulting in a number of impressive sculptures and graphic art. His life-size sculpture of a Ovaherero woman in traditional dress and several graphic sheets are held by the National Art Gallery of Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ART

Namibia National Archives Database

000049
Marengo, Jakob
[Marengo, Jacob - alternative spelling]
[Marenga, Jakob - alternative spelling]
[Marengo, Jacob - alternative spelling]
[Marinka, Jakob - alternative spelling]
[Morenga, Jakob - alternative spelling]
* ca.1875 at Vaalgras (Koichas)
+ 20.09.1907 at Eenzamheed, South Africa
---
Jakob Marengo was born around 1875, probably at Vaalgras (Koichas) some 60 kilometres east of Tses. Bishop John Marie Simon, then the priest at the Pella Roman Catholic Mission station, just south of the Oranje River in the South African Cape Colony, recorded that Marengo had a Ovaherero father and a !Gami-#nun mother, although the names of his parents have not been ascertained. Marengo was probably brought up by a man known as Carolus Damara, who later lived in Simon's parish at Pella, after he and his family had been converted to Catholicism. The name "Marengo" appears in a variety of spellings in the documentary record, and is probably derived from the Mbanderu name Marenga. Today a Nama speaking Ovaherero Community still lives at Koichas, in the vicinity of Vaalgras. Many of his early biographical details are only based on oral evidence, such as the information that he has worked as a labourer/clerk at the O'okiep copper mines in the Cape Colony in South Africa, and that he allegedly visited Germany in the company of a missionary. He was the famous warrior leader of the !Gami-#nun (Bondelswarts) in the anti-colonial resistance war against the Germans from 1903-1907, whose strategic brilliance and bravery was much commented upon by his enemies. A highly acclaimed novel by the German writer Uwe Timm made his name (in the spelling "Morenga", probably reflecting the similarity to a name of a German Schutztruppe soldier with the same name) known to a broad audience in German-speaking countries.

Marengo was a leader in the Bondelswart rising in 1903, which was quelled by German troops with Witbooi auxiliaries in January 1904. On 10.12.1903 a battle was waged at the south-eastern edge of the Great Karas Mountains in which H. von Burgsdorff and his Witbooi Nama allies defeated the Bondelswarts under the command of Jakob Marengo and Abraham Morris. The latter, who had a Scottish father and a !Gami-#nun mother, became Marengo’s military right hand. Jakob Marengo continued the war in the Great Karas Mountains where, as reported by Leutwein, Marengo exercised an "unusual human war style". Two days later Lieutenant Böttlin was defeated by the Bondelswarts in the battle of Hartebeestmund at the Oranje River. Böttlin and some of his men were wounded. They were taken across the river to British territory, to the Roman-Catholic mission station at Pella. He escaped later to the Cape Colony, but returned to Namibia even before the great Nama rising in October 1904, and fought many battles all over southern Namibia against the German Schutztruppe, his main base being the Karas Mountains (with possible ||Khauxa!nas in the eastern part of the Great Karas Mountains being his hidden mountain fortress). His skillful guerrilla tactics gave the Germans a hard time.

His first attack on a German unit at ||Khauxa!nas (Gugunas) on 30.08.1904 commenced the Great Resistance War of the Nama communities against the Germans from 1904 to 1908 (some skirmishes were waged until 1913), in which German Commander Lieutenant Nikolai von Stempel was killed. At the beginning of September 1904 he was involved in two skirmishes with the Germans under the command of Major von Lengerke, first in Garabis and then in Platbeen. One of the "white" allies of Marengo was George St. Leger Lennox (nickname Scotty Smith). A further encounter between Marengo and the Germans in Gais (Geis), north of Kanus, ended with losses for the Germans. On 02.11.1904 Marengo attacked the German military station at Hasuur. The Germans were forced to flee over the border into British territory. Three days later he was involved in a skirmish with the Germans at Umeis, south of Warmbad. On 25.11.1904 the battle of Alurisfontein, south of Warmbad, was fought between the Germans under Captain von Koppy and Lieutenant Count Kageneck and Jakob Marengo with Johannes Christian, Captain of the !Gami-#nun. Lieutenant von Heydebreck was killed. The battle ended with heavy losses for the Germans. Two days later Warmbad was attacked by Jakob Marengo and his second-in-command, Abraham Morris. At the beginning of March 1905 Captain Kirchner was defeated by Jakob Marengo in the battle of Aob. On the 11.03 1905 the battle of Narudas ("Robber Henrick’s Place") was fought against three German sections under Major von Kamptz and Captain Friedrich von Erckert (in presence of the commander of the southern front, Colonel Berthold von Deimling)(coming from the west), Captain von Koppy (coming from the south) and Major von Lengerke (sealing off the east). Marengo and Abraham Morris were defeated and escaped in the direction of 5Khauxa!nas. Marengo was wounded during the battle. After the battle of Narudas a three kilometre German column of wagons with captured material headed for Keetmanshoop. In spite of Marengo’s injury, a battle was fought between him and the Germans at Uchanaris, 60 km south east of Keetmanshoop. The Germans suffered more casualties than they had at Narudas. The Nama managed to recover some of their material losses suffered at Narudas.

In April 1905 first peace negotiations between Germans and Marengo (Father Johann Malinowski as mediator) were unsuccessful. In April 1905 Jakob Marengo attacked a German military post under the command of Captain d’Arrest at Narudas. The Germans suffered losses. Some days later the united forces under Jakob Marengo and Cornelius Frederiks of the !Aman (Bethany Nama) attacked the Germans under Von Kamptz at Ganams, with heavy losses for the latter. In May 1905 various battles and skirmishes were fought around 5Khauxa!nas between the Germans and Marengo. On the 19.05.1905 Jakob Marengo suffered losses in the skirmish of Leukop near the British border against the Germans under the command of Captain Siebert. Some Nama soldiers escaped into British territory, returned, however, in the next couple of days. In June 1905 a battle was fought at Narus at the upper reaches of the Kareb River south of 5Khauxa!nas between the Germans and Jakob Marengo with Jan Hendrik of the 5Hawoben as his ally, with heavy casualties for the Germans. Renewed peace negotiations between the Germans and Jakob Marengo and Cornelius Frederiks in 5Khauxa!nas failed because the Germans attacked the Nama during the armistice. Lieutenant Thilo von Trotha was killed during the skirmishes. On 03.07.1905 Jakob Marengo attacked the Germans at Wasserfall. In September 1905 The battle of Nochas was fought between Jakob Marengo and Johannes Christian of the !Gami-#nun and the Germans under Von Erckert. After the battle Marengo and Christian moved southwards. On their way to the Oranje River they intercepted a German supply convoy at Naruchas, south-west of Kalkfontein- Süd (present-day Karasburg). On 23.09.1905 Marengo continued his attacks on the Germans at Oas. Five days later he and Johannes Christian attacked Heirachabis. Early in October 1905 Marengo and Christian attacked and destroyed a small German reconnaissance post at Jerusalem, south of Heirachabis. They then moved south to the Oranje River where they attacked the military border post of Schuitdrift (Naob)(Groendorn)(10.10.). On 24./25.10.1905 the battle of Hartebeestmund near Pelladrift on the Oranje River was fought between Jakob Marengo with Johannes Christian and the Germans, with heavy losses for the Germans (three officers were killed, three were wounded and 14 soldiers were killed, 35 wounded).

After Captain Hendrik Witbooi was killed in action on 29.10.1905 at Vaalgras/Koichas, Marengo continued the war. On 05.01.1906 the battle of Duurdrift South was fought between Jakob Marengo and the Germans under Captain von Lettow-Vorbeck. At the beginning of March 1906, the battle of Wasserfall at the Oranje River was fought by Johannes Christian, Jakob Marengo and Abraham Morris against the Germans under Beyer. On 11.03.1906 Marengo was involved in a skirmish at Pelladrift. One day later he was defeated by the Germans under Von Erckert and Von Hornhardt in the battle of Kumkum. Marengo escaped in the direction of the Great Karas Mountains. On 21.03.1906 Marengo and Christian again attacked the German military post at Jerusalem. After the encounter the two leaders decided to split forces. Christian turned westwards, while Marengo moved north. Five days later Marengo attacked a German supply convoy near Ukamas. On 05.04.1906 Marengo was engaged in a skirmish with the Germans (Lieutenant von Mielczewski) on the road between Nababis and Ukamas. Three days later the battle of Fettkluft was fought by Jakob Marengo with Abraham Morris and again with Johannes Christian against the Germans under Heuck, with heavy losses for the Germans. On 10.04.1906 Jakob Marengo continued his attacks on the Germans at Oas. Four days later a skirmish took place at Narudas ("Robber Henrick’s Place") between the Germans and Marengo. On 18.04.1906 he was encountered in a skirmish at Klipdam at the border between SWA and the Cape Colony. After this, he was, in the face of superior German forces, forced to escape to the British Cape Colony.

On 04.05.1906 Marengo surrendered to the British Cape Police after being defeated by Captain Bech’s troops in the battle of Van Rooysvley in the Cape Colony, with a loss of 23 of his soldiers. He was transferred by the British to the railhead at Prieska and from there to Cape Town, to the Tokai prison. In June 1907 the British in the Cape Colony released Jakob Marengo from Tokai prison in Cape Town. He was instructed to report to the Civil Commissioner at Upington where he was ordered not to cross the border into German South West Africa. In spite of this order Marengo crossed into SWA at Gamsib Ravine (probably during July or August 1907). On 26.08.1907 Captain von dem Hagen co-ordinated the German troops with the British ones in Cape Town. It was decided to mount a common action against Marengo on 01.09. in order to prevent Jakob Marengo from uniting his forces with those of Simon Koper of the !Khara-khoen. On 20.09.1907 the unified German-British efforts were eventually successful. Jakob Marengo was killed in action by a South African patrol under the command of Major Elliot in Eenzamheed in the Cape Colony. His son, Samuel Marengo, his nephews, Michael Marengo, Hendrich Marengo and Johannes Marengo and his secretary Saul Damara were killed together with him. Petrus Marengo escaped. An ex-combatant at the battle of Narudas ("Robber Henrick’s Place") in March 1905 paid later tribute to Jakob Marengo: "In those old days, forty years ago, South West was still a wild country. ... Perhaps that is the reason why Jakob Marengo has received no recognition from any one for his outstanding intelligence and bravery, but I am sure that there are many old people still alive who like me would bow their heads in respect at the grave of Jakob Marengo".
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL

Children: Petrus Marengo, Samuel Marengo: also killed in the battle of Eenzamheed, Charly Marengo: born 1901 and died 28.08.1989 in Kakamas in South Africa, buried at Vaalgras/Koichas.

RAW DATA: Dt. Koloniallexikon; Lau 1995:243; DSAB III:647;
Drechsler 1966:204-360; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks); Dierks 1992:52-53;

Marengo.jpg (37629 bytes)
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

001716
Marengo, Petrus
*
---
A son of Jacob Marengo.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:232;

000231
Maria
*
---
Maria was born of Ovaherero parents. She was taken prisoner and raised by the Orlam Afrikaners. She was sent to Otjikango by Jonker Afrikaner to work as interpreter for Carl Hugo Hahn.
---
Gender: f

Namibia National Archives Database

000085
Martin, Henno, Prof. Dr.
* 15.03.1910 at Freiburg/Br, Germany
+ 01.1998 at Göttingen, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1935
---
Henno Martin was born on 15.03.1910 at Freiburg/Breisgau, Germany. He received his schooling in Freiburg (Abitur 1930). He studied geology in Bonn, Zürich and Göttingen. He completed his doctoral dissertation under Prof. Hans Cloos at the University of Bonn in 1935. Being opposed to the Nazi regime, he emigrated in 1935 under the guise of a research trip to Namibia, together with his like-minded friend, the geologist Hermann Korn. Both researched the Namib and Naukluft geology, and after their funds were exhausted, they worked as free-lance consultants, mainly in water exploration. During World War Two, the two geologists were threatened by internment as enemy aliens and went into hiding in the desert, from May 1940 until Korn's deteriorating health forced them to surrender themselves to the South African authorities in September 1942. However, they were not interned but allowed to carry on working as geologists. After Korn's death in 1946, Martin stayed in Namibia as head of the Geological Survey. From 1958 to 1960 he lectured as Professor of Geology at the University of Sao Paulo. In 1963 he became Director of the Precambrian Research Unit at the University of Cape Town, and in 1965 he was called back to Germany as Professor and Director of the Geological-Paleontological Institute of the University of Göttingen, where he continued research on Namibian geology in the context of the German research group "Sonderforschungsbereich 48". He stayed in Göttingen after his retirement in 1975, until his death in January 1998. Martin's work was extremely important in the geological research of Namibia, southern Africa, and the continental drift theory. Apart from his very productive scientific career, Henno Martin became known to a wide public by bis book "Wenn es Krieg gibt, gehen wir in die Wüste" about his Robinson life with Hermann Korn in the Namib Desert (first published in 1956). The book became very popular and until 1998 saw a number of reprints, an English translation "The sheltering desert" as well as a French and an Afrikaans translation, and was also filmed in 1999. The Geological Society of Namibia instituted an annual "Henno Martin Medal" to honour the best scientific publication of a geologist in Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: NAT WRI
Profession: Geologist
Functions: Head - Geological Survey of SWA - 1947-1967

Namibia National Archives Database

002031
Masche, Bernd
*
---
Bernd Masche joined Namibia Breweries Limited in September 1968 as technical manager. He served as a Managing Director from 1992 to 2003.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS

RAW DATA: New Era 01-03.8.2003;

002066
Mashambo, Mbukushu King
*
+ before 1850
---
In the Kavango, one of the earliest known Mbukushu Kings was Mashambo. He was the fifth in the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He succeeded King Kasimana. No life dates could be traced so far. Successor was King Mbungu (before 1850).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000726
Masjeb
*
---
Listed as a creditor in Witbooi's "Debt Book", 1888. No further details known. A trader in Walvis Bay?
---
Gender:

Namibia National Archives Database

000074
Massmann, Ursula
[Massmann-Schenk, Ursula - married name]
* 21.10.1911 at Windhoek
+
---
Ursula Massmann was born on 21.10.1911 in Windhoek. She received her schooling in Germany and training at the "Koloniale Frauenschule" in Rendsburg. She returned to Namibia and worked in various occupations, in particular in the karakul industry. She was a researcher in local history and an archivist of the Sam Cohen Library (Swakopmund).
---
Gender: f

Namibia National Archives Database

002083
Mate I, Uukwangali Queen
[Hompa, traditional title]
*
+ around 1750
---
In the Kavango, the earliest recorded Uukwangali Queen was Mate I. She ruled around 1750. She left the Mashi area and settled in present-day Kavango, west of Nkurenkuru in today's Angola. Her sister, Kapango, settled in the Mbunza area of the Kavango. This resulted in the establishment of the two kingdoms in the western Kavango, the Uukwangali Kingdom and the Mbunza Kingdom. The possible successor of Hompa Mate I was Queen Nankali (between 1750 and 1775).
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002086
Mate II, Uukwangali Queen
[Hompa, traditional title]
*
+ .1818
---
In the Kavango, one of the earlier recorded Uukwangali Queens was Mate II. She was the fourth in the recorded genealogy of the Uukwangali kings and queens. She ruled from 1800 until 1818. She was followed by King Siremo (between 1818 and 1822).
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002049
Matross, Abraham
* in South Africa
---
Abraham Matross was a hunter, trader, wagon driver and servant. He was a Nama from South Africa who was with J. Chapman on his journeys from 1852 to 1855. It is reported that he was hunting in the Namibian north in 1876 and 1878.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:72-73;

002116
Matsharatshara, Yeyi (Mayeyi) Chief
[Shikati, traditional title]
*
+ .
---
Around 1750 the community of the Yeyi (Mayeyi) lived in present-day Caprivi Strip. They moved from Diyeyi (land of the Yeyi) in the area of Linyanti under the leadership of three group leaders Shikati Hankuze, Shikati Qunku together with his brother Qunkunyane and Shikati Matsharatshara into the Okavango Delta in present-day Botswana. Later they moved back into the Caprivi Strip, to Linyanti and Sangwali.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001717
Mattenklodt, Wilhelm
* at Lippstadt, Germany
+ 08.1931 at Swakopmund
First entry to Namibia: 1908
---
Wilhelm Mattenklodt was a farmer and Schutztruppe soldier who in 1916 escaped from British custody. He lived for two years as an outlaw with extended travels in northern Namibia, and finally escaped with two other fugitives (Feuerstein and Voswinckel) 1919 into Angola, and 1920 to Germany. He later wrote a "classic" of German colonial literature about it: "Verlorene Heimat" (Berlin 1928). The epic escape became part of the mythology of "German Southwesters", and has been described in several books as well as widespread orature. Mattenklodt travelled again to Angola as a big game hunter, caught sleeping sickness and died of it in Swakopmund in August 1931.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR WRI

Namibia National Archives Database

001035
Matthews, Desmond O'Neil
* 13.01.1923 at Swakopmund
---
Desmond O'Neil Matthews was educated at the Diocesan College at Rondebosch in South Africa. He served in the South African Air Force during World War Two from 1940 to 1946, in the rank of a Captain. He was a businessman, Director of Trust Mining Co., United Building Society, Oamites Mining Co., Anglovaal S.W.A., Falconbridge of S.W.A and Metje Ziegler. He was the Chairman of the SPCA and the Secretary of the Association of Mining Companies.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman

Married to: Gladys Ursula Matthew's, née Wecke, married 1949-
Father: Charles Wheatley Matthew's
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;

000933
Matjila, Andrew Nick
*
---
Andrew Nick Matjila worked from 1964 until 1975 in Katima Mulilo, first as teacher, later as school inspector. From 1976 to 1980 he worked for the Caprivi Bantustan government and as advisor and translator for Turnhalle politicians. In 1981, he attended the Geneva Namibia Conference as member of the DTA delegation. In 1982 he was appointed by the first Interim Government to the Government Service Commission. He served Minister of National Education in the second Interim Government (Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU)) before independence.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Teacher

Namibia National Archives Database

000939
Maul, Gerhard Helmut, Dr.
[called himself Dr. Elmau]

* 14.01.1913 at Windhoek
---
Gerhard Maul was born on 14.01.1913 at Windhoek. He was educated at Windhoek, Saalfeld in Germany, the Universities of Hamburg, Rostock, München, Berlin, Münster. He was a medical doctor.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED
Profession: Physician

Married to: Ingrid Maul, née Thielmann, married 1955-
Father: Franz Bernhard Maul
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

000940
Max, Gerson
*
---
Reverend Gerson Max was particularly involved in the spiritual care for migrant workers, a subject which he also worked on for an academic thesis.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Clergy

Namibia National Archives Database

001037
May, Abraham Bernard, Dr.
*
---
Abraham Bernard May was educated at the University of Cape Town and the Edinburgh University, Royal College of Surgeons. He was a medical doctor. He was a district surgeon and resident medical officer, later in Windhoek. He was the Mayor of Windhoek from 19?? to ??.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED
Profession: Physician

Married to: Myrtle May, née Rosen, married 1940-
Father: Jeanot May
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959, 1974;

000893
Mbamba, Alpo Mauno
* in Namibia
+ .2002 at Paris, France
---
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU

Married to: Sarah Karwitha Mbamba
Children: Christopher Mbamba

Namibia National Archives Database

002080
Mbanbangandu II, Shambyu King

*
+
---
In the Kavango, the Shambyu King Mbanbangandu II got blind in 1947. He was succeeded by Queen Maria Mwengere (1947-1987).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002097
Mbandu, Uukwangali King
[Hompa, traditional title]
*
+ .1977
---
In the Kavango, Uukwangali Queen Kanuni was deposed by the South African Native Commissioner, Harold Eedes and sent into exile to Angola in 1941. Eedes appointed Hompa Sivute to rule the Uukwangali area until his death in 1958. 1958 Queen Kanuni returned to Namibia and ruled until her death in 1971. She was succeeded by King Mbandu who ruled until his death in 1977. He was the fifteenth in the recorded genealogy of the Uukwangali kings. Mbandu was followed by Hompa Daniel Sitendu Mpasi (1977-).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001038
Mbauka, Gottlob
*
---
Gottlob Mbauka was the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Herero Bantustan from 19?? to 1987. He was the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Herero Bantustan from 1987 to independence.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Namibia-Pressedienst 21.09.1987;

000780
Mbingilo, Samuel Natangwe
* 13.02.1976
+ 09.06.2002
---
Artist.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ART
Profession: Artist

Namibia National Archives Database

002101
Mbololo, (Last) Kololo King
*
+
---
Kololo King Mbololo (1862-1864) was deposed by Lozi King Lewanika from the Barotse Kingdom in current-day Zambia (1864-1909). Lewanika expelled the Kololo people from the Caprivi Strip. Mbololo shifted his capital from Linyanti to Sesheke-Mwandi (not to be confused with Sesheke opposite Katima Mulilo in present-day Zambia). But the Kololo rule couldn't survive and disappeared.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002193
Mbondo, Ovaherero Chief
*
+
---
In ca. 1820 Maharero (or Kamaharero) was born to Ua Tjirue Tjamuaha and his first wife Otjorozumo, daughter of Ndomo, daughter of Peraa, daughter of Mbondo, daughter of Mukuejuva of the eanda yomukueyuva (community or clan).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Traditional leader
Functions: Chief - Ovaherero - before 1810

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002277
Mbulungundju, Ovamboland (Uukwambi) King
*
+
---
The third Uukwambi King on record was King Mbulungundju. He followed King Nakano. He ruled before 1750. The first seven Uukwambi kings cannot be dated. His successor was the fourth Uukwambi King Niigogo ya Natsheya.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001039
Mbumba, Nangolo
* 15.08.1941 in Olukonda
---
Nangolo Mbumba was born on 15.08.1941 in Olukonda. He was educated at the Oshigambo High School (1962-1965). He subsequently went into exile. Mbumba studied biology at the University of Connecticut (M.Sc.). From 1980 to 1985 he was the Head of the Namibia Health and Education centre in Kwanza Sul in Angola. From 1986 until 1988 he was the Deputy Secretary for Education of SWAPO. From 1988 until 1989 he was the Head of the Teacher Training Department at the United Nations Institute for Namibia in Lusaka. Mbumba returned to Namibia in 1989. He was elected to the Constituent Assembly. He was appointed as Secretary to the Cabinet from 1990 to 1991, then Namibia's Special Representative to the Joint Administration of Walvis Bay from 1991 to 1993. He became the Minister of Agriculture, Water Affairs and Rural Development in 1993 until 1996 and Minister of Finance from 1996 to 2003. As from 2003 he serves as Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Since 1993 he is a Member of the National Assembly.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

Married to: Sustjie Mbumba

RAW DATA: WWSA 1996; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002094
Mbuna, Uukwangali King
[Hompa, traditional title]
*
+ .1926
---
In the Kavango, Uukwangali King Kandjimi Hawanga died in 1924 and was succeeded by Hompa Mbuna who ruled the Uukwangali area until his death in 1926. He was the twelfth in the recorded genealogy of the Uukwangali kings. Mbuna was followed by Queen Kanuni who ruled until 1941 and again from 1958 until 1971.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002189
Mbunga, Ovaherero Chief
*
+
---
Setting out from the Kaokoveld, Ovaherero leader Mutjise, son of Mbunga, son of Tjituka, son of Kasupi, son of Vatje, son of Kengeza of the oruzo orwohorongo (community or clan, also religious group from the father’s side, while eanda is a socio-economic group to which the mother belongs), moved to Okahandja (probably after 1785). He was followed by Ovaherero Chief Mutjise.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Traditional leader
Functions: Chief - Ovaherero - before 1750

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002067
Mbungu, Mbukushu King
*
+ before 1850
---
In the Kavango, one of the earliest known Mbukushu Kings was Mbungu. He was the sixth in the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He succeeded King Mashambo. No life dates could be traced so far. Successor was Queen Rukonga (before 1850).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001018
Mc Donald, Hermanus Johannes
* 24.08.1908 at Warmbad
---
Hermanus Johannes Mc Donald was born on 24.08.1908 at Warmbad. He was educated at Warmbad and Keetmanshoop. He was a farmer. He was a Member of the Executive Committee of the United National Southwest Party.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR
Profession: Farmer

Married to: Lousia Maria Mc Donald, née Nyhof, married 1938-
Father: Michael Charles Edward Mc Donald
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001017
Mc Connell, James Peter Stroyan
* 14.09.1910 at Sterkstroom, South Africa
---
James Peter Stroyan Mc Connell was born on 14.09.1910 at Sterkstroom in South Africa. He studied medicine at the Glasgow University in the United Kingdom. He was the Admiralty Surgeon at Walvis Bay.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED
Profession: Physician

Married to: Agnes Nisbet Mc Connell, née Mc Quistan, married 1936-
Father: James Peter Mc Connell
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001019
Mc Hugh, Michael Francis Joseph
* 27.09.1890 at Malahide County, Ireland
---
Michael Francis Joseph Mc Hugh was born on 27.09.1890 at Malahide County in Ireland. He was educated in Dublin. He came to South Africa in 1904, and to Namibia in ??. He retired as magistrate, and was a farmer.
---
Gender: m

Married to: Anne Florence Mc Hugh, née Gair, married 1919-
Father: John Mc Hugh
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001020
Mc Kimmie, Robert
*
---
Robert Mc Kimmie was a trader and hunter in Namibia. He obtained sole rights to prospect for minerals in Hendrik Witbooi's territory, together with Robert Duncan and Robert Lewis. He was arrested in 1894 by the German Schutztruppe on charge of supplying smuggled weapons to the Witboois.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Trader

Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.154 (Letters i.c.w. affairs in Namibia, 1893-1894)

001730
Meier, Friedrich
* 18.03.1873 at Barmen, Germany
+ .1928
First entry to Namibia: 1901
---
Friedrich Meier was born on 18.03.1873 at Barmen in Germany. He was a missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft. he came to Namibia 1901 and was stationed at Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

Married to: Emma Meier, née Ermshaus, married 1904-
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:161, 296;

000881
Meinert, John Christian Theodor
* 09.12.1886 at Hamburg, Germany
+ 10.11.1946 in Windhoek
First entry to Namibia: 1906
---
John Christian Theodor Meinert was born on 09.12.1886 at Hamburg in Germany. He came to Namibia in 1906, first as a businessman in Gobabis. In 1913 he took over as managing director of the Windhuker Druckerei, and on 01.07.1917 he bought the firm, which over the decades was the largest printing house in Namibia and also a publishing house. In 1924 he bought the Swakopmunder Buchhandlung and amalgamated both firms into John Meinert Ltd. Meinert was also very active in community affairs and served as Windhoek's Mayor from 19??-19?? and as President of the Namibia Scientific Society 1935-1937. He died on 10.11.1946 in Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman
Functions: Mayor - Windhoek
President - SWA Scientific Society - 1935-1937

Children: John Hinrich Meinert (1917-)
RAW DATA: Mitt.SWAWG 43,4-6; WWSA 1929/30; SWA Annual 1975:31;

000891
Meinert, John Hinrich
* 06.05.1917 at Windhoek
---
John Hinrich Meinert was born on 06.05.1917 at Windhoek. He was educated at Rondebosch in South Africa. He was the Managing Director of John Meinert and Director of the Deutscher Verlag.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS

Married to: Ursula Elisabeth Meinert, née Gusinde, married 1941-
Father: John Christian Theodor Meinert (1886-1946)
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001040
Meinert, Jürgen Christian
* 11.01.1919 at Windhoek
---
Jürgen Christian Meinert was born on 11.01.1919 at Windhoek. He was educated at the Rondebosch Boys High School and the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He was the Joint Managing Director of John Meinert (Pty) Ltd. and President of the SWA Chamber of Printing. He was the local director of the SAPM Building Society and the CNA.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS

Married to: Cynthia Joyce Meinert, née Wadley, married 1943-
Father: John Christian Theodor Meinert (1886-1946)
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959, 1974;

000885
Meiring, Albert J.D., Dr.
* .1899 at Edenburg, South Africa
+ .1986 at Potchefstroom, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1957
Last departure from Namibia: 1960
---
Albert J.D. Meiring was born on 1899 at Edenburg in South Africa. He studied zoology at Bloemfontein (doctorate in 1936). In 1938 he was teaching at the University of Fort Hare. In 1951 he was appointed to the Museum in Bloemfontein and from 1957 to 1960 to the State Museum in Windhoek. From 1960 to 1968 he was a Professor of Zoology at the University of Fort Hare. From 1958 until 1959 he was the President of the SWA Scientific Society.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Profession: Zoologist
Functions: President - SWA Scientific Society - 1958-1959

RAW DATA: Mitt.SWAWG 43,4-6;

001041
Meiring, George Lodewyk
* 18.10.1939 at Ladybrand, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1983
---
George Lodewyk Meiring was born on 18.10.1939 at Ladybrand in South Africa. He studied physics at the University of the Orange Free State in South Africa. He joined the South African Army as a Captain in 1963. In 1981 he became Chief of Army Staff Logistics and in 1982 Deputy Chief of the Army. In 1983 he was appointed GOC of the SWA Territorial Forces. In January 1987 he became GOC Far North Command. He became Chief of the South African Army in 1990.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer

Married to: Annchen Meiring, née Brink, married 1967-
RAW DATA: South African Military Who's Who;

001731
Meisenholl
* in Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1890 (?)
---
Missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft in Ovamboland.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

Namibia National Archives Database

001662
Meister, Johann
* 24.09.1862
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer

RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:196-197, 199-200;

001042
Melber, Henning, Dr.
[Baumgärtner, Hans - pseudonym]
* 22.08.1950 in Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1967
---
Henning Melber was born on 22.08.1950 in Germany. He came to Namibia as son of German immigrants in 1967. He received his schooling at the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS) in Windhoek. He joined SWAPO in 1974, although he never became a Namibian citizen. He worked as journalist at the "Allgemeine Zeitung". He studied journalism in München, and politics in Berlin. He was banned from re-entering Namibia until 1989. His Ph.-D. thesis dealt on education in Namibia. He taught politics at the University of Kassel from 1982 until 1991. He was a Director of the Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit (NEPRU) from 1991 to 2000. Since 2000 he is a Research Director at the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala/Sweden. Melber is the author of numerous publications on Namibian education, politics and history.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI

Married to: <1>Mary Melber
<2>Susan Melber, née Wolters
Mother: Melber, née Baumgärtner

Namibia National Archives Database

000104
Melcheor, Marius Isak
*
---
Marius Isak Melcheor was charged in Windhoek under section 3 of the Terrorism Act of involvement in housebreaking and the murder of four whites and a black police sergeant. He was found guilty in October 1976 of aiding and abetting Nangolo, who was found guilty and hanged. Melcheor was sentenced to eight years imprisonment on Robben Island.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: PO

Namibia National Archives Database

000362
Menzel, Gustav
* 11.12.1908 at Bochum-Langendreer, Germany
+ 05.12.1999
---
Gustav Menzel was born on 11.12.1908 at Bochum-Langendreer in Germany. After studying theology, he went to Sumatra as a Rhenish Missionary. He experienced internment in Sumatra and India during World War Two. After the war, he headed the Seminary of the Rhenish Mission, and the South West Africa Department of the Rhenish Mission. From 1960 to 1967 he was pastor for the Wuppertal-Unterbarmen congregation, from 1967 until 1974 he served as a Director of the Rhenish Missionary Society (after 1971, the Vereinigte Evangelische Mission (VEM)). After his retirement in 1974, he researched on mission history, and wrote histories of the Rhenish Mission (1978) and the Bethel Mission (1986), and biographies of C. G. Büttner and Hendrik Witbooi. In 1989, he was awarded a honorary doctorate by the Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal. He died on 05.12.1999.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Pastor

Namibia National Archives Database

001043
Merensky, Alexander
* .1869 at Botshabeo, South Africa
+ .1939
First entry to Namibia: 1896
---
Alexander Merensky was born in 1869 at Botshabeo in South Africa. He grew up at his father's mission station in Transvaal. He went to Germany in 1882 for schooling and university training. He came to Namibia in 1896 as a civil servant and served as Distriktsamtmann Keetmanshoop. He resigned from civil service to become attorney in Keetmanshoop.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW

Father: Alexander Merensky
Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.299 (Extracts from Merensky's letters; notes on Merensky written by his sister)

001044
Meroro, David Hoveka
* 01.01.1917 at Warmbakkies near Keetmanshoop
+ 18.01.2004 at Windhoek
---
David Hoveka Meroro was born on 01.01.1917 at Warmbakkies near Keetmanshoop. He was educated at the mission school at Keetmanshoop and St. Barnabas, Windhoek. He worked as a municipal clerk at Windhoek. In November 1946 the African Improvement Society (AIS) was founded as a kind of secretariat for the Herero Chiefs’ Council by students and teachers such as Clemence Kapuuo. Its functions were mainly cultural and educational. It soon began to compete in importance with the semi-official Bantu Welfare Club (founded at the beginning of the 1930s; "black" committee members 1937: AE Mogale, AS Mungunda, AS Shipena) operating in the "Old Location" in Windhoek. Prominent members were Bartholomeus Gerhardt Karuaera (President), Berthold Himumuine (Secretary), Clemence Kapuuo and David Meroro who also was a member of the Herero Chief's Council. The first administrator of the AIS was Ananius Munoko, followed by David Meroro. Meroro established an own business at the "Old Location" at Windhoek in 1952. Prominent community leaders such as Sam Nujoma, Moses Makue 5Garoëb, Uatja Kaukuetu, Nathan Mbaeva, Clemence Kapuuo, David Meroro, John Ya Otto and Emil Appolus witnessed the events around the "Old Location Uprising" in Windhoek in December 1959. In 1960 Meroro joined the newly founded South West African National Union (SWANU). In 1962 he joined SWAPO and became the National Chairman of SWAPO in 1964. On 21.06.1971 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled the presence of South Africa in Namibia as illegal. David Hoveka Meroro, SWAPO National Chairman, welcomed the court ruling but cautioned that whatever the international community was doing, freedom for Namibia was primarily a matter to be decided by its people. On 13.11.1971 the National Convention (NC), also known as the National Convention of Freedom Parties of Namibia (NCFP), was formed as a "united front" of liberation forces. SWAPO under Meroro, NUDO under Kapuuo and the Rehoboth Volksparty under Diergaardt participated. On 09.03.1973 David Meroro tried, together with Clemence Kapuuo, to present a petition to Waldheim at the Windhoek International Airport, but was arrested with 100 SWAPO supporters and detained by the South African authorities. In December 1973 SWAPO’s National Conference in Walvis Bay took place under the chairmanship of David Meroro. In June 1974 he was again detained by the South African Administration. On 16.08.1975 the Chief Minister of the tribal Ovambo Executive and Ondonga King Filemon (Shuumbwa) yElifas lyaShindondola was killed in Onamagongwa in the Ondangwa area. SWAPO National Chairman David Meroro denied that SWAPO was responsible for his death. Many SWAPO supporters, inter alia the leader of SWAPO in Ovamboland, Skinny Hilundwa, were arrested after the killing of Elifas. Many of SA’s subsequent suppression measures were carried out in terms of legislation which had now been made applicable to Namibia, namely the Riotous Assemblies Act of 1956 and the Suppression of Communism Act of 1950, which was later renamed the State Security Act of 1950. David Meroro was again arrested and imprisoned in solicit confinement. After his release Meroro went into exile to Zambia via Botswana in September 1975. In exile he, just like John Ya Otto, found himself waging a different campaign to the one left at home. Though Meroro was called a SWAPO National Chairman in Namibia he never chaired any party meeting in exile. His position was never even included in the party structures, but he was a Member of the SWAPO Central and Politburo. In May 1976, Sam Nujoma visited dissatisfied PLAN fighters at Kaunga in western Zambia. He brought Meroro with him although Meroro had no chance to assist in solving the conflict. He was indirectly involved into the Ya Otto Commission and the Kapelwa Military Tribunal who dealt with the revolting PLAN fighters. In July 1976 most of the dissatisfied PLAN soldiers were put in an internment camp near Kabwe in Zambia. Some of them were, allegedly on instruction of Moses Makue ||Garoëb and Mishake Muyongo, executed. According to Meroro, Richard Kabajani-Kapelwa himself was against the killings but was not courageous enough to avoid them. Meroro tried to save as many lives as possible. Meroro continued saving lives of Namibians who had landed between the battle fronts in Angola until he returned from exile in 1989. He was a Member of the Constituent Assembly in 1989. David Hoveka Meroro was for some months Member of the National Assembly from 21.03.1990 until August 1990. He died after a long illness in Windhoek on 18.01.2004. He was buried with military honours at the Windhoek Heroe's Acre on 24.01.2004.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

Married: Hilya Meroro (1980 in Luanda) with 21 children

RAW DATA: Dickie/Rake 1973; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks), Obituary: Republikein: 22.01.2004; Windhoek Observer: 28.02.2004;

001045
Mertens, Georg Friedrich
* 21.10.1872 at St. Petersburg, Russia
First entry to Namibia: 1928
---
Georg Friedrich Mertens was born on 21.10.1872 at St. Petersburg in Russia. He was educated in Russia. He came to Namibia in 1928 and started his business, F.L. Mertens (Pty) Ltd. He was a karakul merchant, exporter and breeder.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman

Married to: Xenia Mertens, née Bosse
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

000725
Mertens, Guillermo
*
First entry to Namibia: 1883
---
Guillermo Mertens was a German trader who came to Namibia in 1883. He was co-founder of the firm Mertens and Sichel. He was based in Walvis Bay. He was listed in Witbooi's "Debt Book" as a creditor, 1888.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Trader

RAW DATA: Lenssen 1994:6,9,12; Bülow 1891:36;

000554
Merxmüller, Hermann, Prof. Dr.
* 30.08.1920
+ 08.02.1988
---
Botanist at the University of Munich who supervised a substantial research programme on Namibian botany.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI

Namibia National Archives Database

001046
Metje, Adolf Heinrich Wilfred
* 31.07.1898 at Hannover, Germany
---
Adolf Heinrich Wilfred Metje was born on 31.07.1898 at Hannover in Germany. He was educated at Cape Town, Lüderitz and Hannover. He came to Cape Town in 1899. He entered his father's business Metje & Ziegler in 1920. He was Managing Director and chairperson until 1957.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman

Father: Herman Metje
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

000581
Meyer, Freerk
* 02.04.1847 at Emden, Germany
+ .1922
First entry to Namibia: 1876
---
Freerk Meyer was born on 02.04.1847 at Emden in Germany. He was a missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft at Otjikango between 1877 and 1888, and at Otjimbingwe from 1888 to 1900. He then returned to Germany and worked for several years as supervisor of the Barmen mission house.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

Married to: Amalie Meyer, née Schöl, married 1878-

RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:334;

001047
Meyer, William Johann Chapman
* 06.12.1923 in Angola
---
William Johann Chapman Meyer was born on 06.12.1923 in Angola. He was educated at the University of Cape Town and the London University College. He was an architect and town planning consultant. he came to Namibia in 1953. He was the President of Institute of SWA Architects.
---
Gender: m
Profession: Architect

Married to: Jean Meyer, née Steinhobel, married 1954-
Father: E.J. Meyer
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001048
Michau, Carel Petrus
* 11.04.1905 at Bethulie, South Africa
---
Carel Petrus Michau was born on 11.04.1905 at Bethulie in South Africa. He was educated in Gobabis. He was the Secretary of the Farmers Union from 1927 until 1947. He served as Secretary of the United National South West Party from 1929 to 1947. He was the Chairman of the United National South West Party from 1947 until 1955. He was a Member of the Hospital Board between 1927 and 1929. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1947 until 1950.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Politician

Married to: Olga Cecilia Verhoef Michau, née Wuister, married 1934-
Father: Gert Michau
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001734
Middendorff, Hermann Johannes
* .1886
+ .1975
---
Hermann Johannes Middendorff was a well-known karakul breeder.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR

Namibia National Archives Database

001735
Miksch, Erwin
[Mix, Tom - nickname]
*
---
---
Gender: m

Namibia National Archives Database

001736
Milner, Lord
*
---
British High Commissioner for South Africa around 1900.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:259, 296, 302, 305, 319;

001049
Minnaar, Daniel
[Minnaar, Dan]
* 24.05.1914 at Paulpietersburg, South Africa
---
Daniel Minnaar was born on 24.05.1914 at Paulpietersburg in South Africa. He was educated at the University College Potchefstroom. He was a journalist and served in World War Two in the Middle East and Italy. He came to Namibia after the war. He was the editor of Windhoek Advertiser 1953-. He was active in the Windhoek Show Society, SA Artists Association (SWA) and the Afrikaans Dramatic Society.
---
Gender: m
Profession: Journalist

Married to: Isabel Minnaar, née Froneman, married 1941-
Father: P.D. Minnaar
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001050
Minty, Abdul Samad
* in South Africa
---
Abdul Samad Minty was a South African who went to Britain in 1958 and, together with others, founded the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) of which he was the Honorary Secretary for decades. He has been active in international anti-apartheid campaigns, participated in numerous UN and other conferences, lobbied governments and organisations on behalf of AAM and addressed the UN Security Council. Since 1979 he was involved in the World Campaign against Military and Nuclear Cooperation with South Africa.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

Namibia National Archives Database

000941
Mnakapa, Zen-Asser
*
+ 30.03.2002 at Lilongwe, Malawi
---
Zen-Asser Mnakapa was a politician and human rights activist. Together with Phil ya Nangoloh, he established the "National Society for Human Rights" in Namibia. He died on 30.03.2002 at Lilongwe in Malawi
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

Namibia National Archives Database

001737
Moeller, H.
* in Germany
---
Rhenish missionary in Hereroland 1893-1896 (?)
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

Namibia National Archives Database

001738
Moeller, Richard
* 20.11.1877 at Kassel, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1899
Last departure from Namibia: 1903
---
Richard Moeller was born on 20.11.1877 at Kassel in Germany. He was a missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft. He came to Namibia 1899 and was based in Warmbad. He left the mission and Namibia in 1903. He was very critical against the mission.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

Married to: Emmi Möller, née Gundlach, married 1900-

Namibia National Archives Database

000232
Moffat, Mary
[Smith, Mary - birth name]
* .1795
+ 10.01.1871 at Brixton, England
---
Mary Moffat was born in 1795. She was the daughter of James Smith of Dukinfield, at whose nursery Robert Moffat was a gardener in 1816. She came to the Cape Colony in South Africa after considerable opposition from her parents on 06.12.1819, and married Robert Moffat three weeks later. They had ten children, seven of whom survived into adulthood. She died on 10.01.1871 at Brixton in England.
---
Gender: f

Married to: Moffat Robert (1795-1883), married 1819-1871

Namibia National Archives Database

000233
Moffat, Robert
* 21.12.1795 at Ormiston, Scotland
+ 08.08.1883 at Leigh, England
First entry to Namibia: 1818
Last departure from Namibia: 1819
---
Robert Moffat was born on 21.12.1795 at Ormiston in Scotland. He was a missionary of the London Missionary Society. He reached Namaland in January 1818 and worked among the Orlam Afrikaners. He gained fame with the conversion of the famous outlaw Jager Afrikaner, in whose company he visited Cape Town in 1919, where he married Mary Smith. He did not return to Namaland, but from 1821 onwards, he worked among the Tswana at Kuruman. He left Kuruman for England in 1870 after fifty years of work and study among the Tswana, which led to numerous publications in the Tswana language, including the New Testament and Pilgrim's a Progress. Moffat also published in English about his experiences. In England, he remained active in promoting foreign missions. He died on 08.08.1883 at Leigh in England.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

Married to: Mary Moffat, née Smith (1795-1871), married 1819-1871
Children: Mary Livingstone (married Moffat)(1821-1862)
John Smith Moffat (1835-1918)

Collections/Papers:
1). SOAS: GB 0102 CWM/LMS Africa Personal Box 4 (Collected papers (1819-1970), deposited by various donors)
(There are other repositories with Moffat material, but largely from later periods)
RAW DATA: P.Reiner 1992:424; Lau 1985:V1277; v.Schumann; http://www.mundus.ac.uk/cats/4/245.htm;

001051
Möhlig, Wilhelm J.G., Prof. Dr.
* in Germany
---
Wilhelm J.G. Möhlig obtained his first degree in Law in 1963. He got his doctorate with a dissertation on the Gciriku language in 1967. He received his habilitation at the University of Cologne in 1972. He was a visiting professor of the University of Nairobi from 1973 to 1975, and a full professor at the University of Cologne from 1975 until 1999. He retired 1999. He was the speaker of the Deutsche Forschungs-Gemeinschaft (DFG) special research centre 389 ACACIA from 1995 until 1999. His research interests were Bantuistics, dialectology, oral literature, traditional law. He undertook field research in Namibia (as well as in other southern African countries, East Africa, Sierra Leone). He was the author of numerous publications.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Profession: Anthropologist Linguist

Namibia National Archives Database

001052
Möller, Peter August
* at Västergotland Province, Sweden
First entry to Namibia: 1895
Last departure from Namibia: 1896
---
Peter August Möller became an officer in the Swedish Army. Between 1883 and 1886, he was in the service of the Association internationale du Congo. He was also one of Henry Stanley's assistants. In 1895-96 he travelled through southern Angola and northern Namibia, and wrote a book on this trip entitled "Resa i Afrika genom Angola, Ovampo- och Damaraland", published in 1899.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Winquist: Scandinavians;

002113
Moraliswani, Subya (Masubya) King
[Liswani, traditional title]
*
+ .1996
---
When the Subya (Masubya) leader, Liswani Chikamatondo died in July 1945, Liswani Moraliswani became his successor. In 1975 during the Turnhalle Constituent Assembly, Moraliswani was one of the representatives of the Caprivi Strip. 1976 Mamili Richard Muhinda replaced Moraliswani as Chief Minister of the Lozi. In April 1983 Moraliswani tried unsuccessfully to obtain by court action recognition as paramount chief of all groups in the Eastern Caprivi Strip. This led increasingly to tensions between the Fwe and Subya communities. The Fwe community supported the DTA, while the Subya community supported SWAPO. Moraliswani died in 1996 and was followed by Munitenge Maiba Kisco Liswani III (1996-).

---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002103
Moremi II, Tswana King
*
+ .1890
---
In 1885 a conflict between Lozi King Lewanika and Tswana King Moremi II (1876-1890) was caused about the control over the Mbukushu community in the eastern Kavango. These conflicts were further expanded to the Gciriku and Shambyu communities in the Kavango under Moremi's successor, Tswana King Sekgoma Lethsolathebe (1891-1906). Both kingdoms fought for influence in present-day Caprivi Strip.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000234
Morgenrood, W.D.M.
* 08.09.1821 at Cape Town, South Africa
---
W.D.M. Morgenrood was born on 08.09.1821 at Cape Town in South Africa. He was an agent of the Rhenish Missionary Society at the Cape Colony in South Africa. He received and organised the sending of goods and letters. During the 1850s, he was one of the four persons from the Cape Colony who were seminarists in the mission house.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS

Namibia National Archives Database

000410
Moritz, Eduard, Prof.
*
---
Professor Eduard Moritz was a high school teacher (Oberlehrer) who travelled in Namibia around 1909, published a travel report and an extensive compilation of early travel reports from Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
Profession: Teacher

Namibia National Archives Database

000347
Moritz, Walter
*
First entry to Namibia: 1960
---
Walter Moritz was a Lutheran pastor. He came to Namibia in 1960 as missionary of the Rhenish Missionary Society (later, United Evangelical Mission (VEM) in Wuppertal-Barmen/Germany). After linguistic studies in Swakopmund, Usakos and in South Africa, he worked for three years as a pastor in Wupperthal (Cape Province, South Africa). From 1965-1972, he was stationed in Walvis Bay to serve the Lutheran parishes of Kuisebmond, Narraville, Rooibank and Tamariskia. He had to leave Namibia in 1972 when the South African Government revoked all work permits for pastors of the United Evangelical Mission. Moritz took a special interest in Khoekhoegowab ("Nama/Dama language"), in Nama and Dama culture, historical and onomatic research, and has written extensively about these subjects. He continues to visit Namibia regularly from Germany, where he served parishes in Spenge and is now retired.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary Lutheran pastor

Namibia National Archives Database

001739
Morrell, Benjamin
*
---
Benjamin Morrell was the Captain of the ship "Antarctic" which anchored at the Namibian coast in 1828. He travelled into the interior and wrote a report of the country's resources. His reports led to the guano rush to the Penguin Islands.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: SWA Annual 1972:25;

000582
Morris, Abraham, !Gami-#nun (Bondelswart) Commander
* ca.1872 at Warmbad
+ 29.05.1922 at Bergkamer in the *Haib River Gorge near the Oranje River
---
Abraham Morris was born in ca. 1872 at Warmbad. He was a !Gami-#nun (Bondelswarts) military commander under Jakob Marengo between 1903-1906. During the beginning of the German Nama War 1903-1913, the !Gami-#nun uprising in October 1903, he was Marengo's most important commander. On 25.10.1903 a dispute about judicial power and the right to possess weapons arose between the Bondelswart Nama and the Germans. Bondelswarts Chief Jan Abraham Christian and German District Chief Lieutenant Walter Jobst were killed during a violent clash in Warmbad. The Bondelswarts rose up under the leadership of Johannes Christian, who succeeded his elder brother Abraham Christian, and Leutwein later reported that Jobst was mistaken in his judgement to use violence against Abraham Christian. In the ensuing war against the Bondelswarts, the Germans were supported by Hendrik Witbooi. After the death of Jobst, Lieutenant von der Bussche organised the defence of Warmbad. On 10.12.1903 a battle was waged at the south-eastern edge of the Great Karas Mountains in which H. von Burgsdorff and his Witbooi Nama allies defeated the Bondelswarts under the command of Jakob Marengo and Abraham Morris. The latter, who had a Scottish father and a !Gami-#nun mother became Marengo’s military right hand. Jakob Marengo, together with Morris, continued the war in the Great Karas Mountains where, as reported by Leutwein, Marengo exercised an "unusual human war style". Two days later Lieutenant Böttlin was defeated by the Bondelswarts in the battle of Hartebeestmund at the Oranje River. Böttlin and some of his men were wounded. They were taken across the river to British territory, to the Roman-Catholic mission station at Pella.

During the Great Nama Uprising as from October 1904 he again joined Jakob Marengo. His skillful guerrilla tactics gave the Germans a hard time. On 25.11.1904 the battle of Alurisfontein, south of Warmbad, was fought between the Germans under Captain von Koppy and Lieutenant Count Kageneck and Jakob Marengo with Abraham Morris and Johannes Christian, Captain of the!Gami-#nun. Lieutenant von Heydebreck was killed. The battle ended with heavy losses for the Germans. Two days later Warmbad was attacked by Jakob Marengo and Abraham Morris. On 10.03.1905 Abraham Morris was forced by Captain von Koppy to abandon the Garup waterhole. The battle of Narudas ("Robber Henrick’s Place") was fought against three German sections under Major von Kamptz and Captain Friedrich von Erckert (in presence of the commander of the southern front, Colonel Berthold von Deimling)(coming from the west), Captain von Koppy (coming from the south) and Major von Lengerke (sealing off the east). Jakob Marengo and Abraham Morris were defeated and escaped in the direction of 5Khauxa!nas. Marengo was wounded during the battle. On 21.03.1905, after the battle of Narudas, a three kilometre German column of wagons with captured material headed for Keetmanshoop. In spite of Marengo’s injury, a battle was fought between the Bondelswarts and the Germans at Uchanaris, 60 km south east of Keetmanshoop. The Germans suffered more casualties than they had at Narudas. The Nama managed to recover some of their material losses suffered at Narudas. On 05.08.1905 Abraham Morris attacked the Germans at Wortel (Nomaos). On 13.09.1905 a skirmish was fought at Guigatsis between Morris and the Germans.

After Captain Hendrik Witbooi was killed in action on 29.10.1905 at Vaalgras/Koichas, Morris continued the war. In March 1906 the battle of Wasserfall at the Oranje River was fought by Captain Johannes Christian from the !Gami-#nun, Jakob Marengo and Abraham Morris against the Germans under Beyer. On 08./09.04.1906 the battle of Fettkluft was fought by Jakob Marengo with Abraham Morris and Johannes Christian against the Germans under Heuck, with heavy losses for the Germans. On 23.07.1906 Johannes Christian and Abraham Morris attacked Uhabis. After this skirmish he moved to Steinkopf in the northern Cape Colony. Morris refused to return to Namibia, despite German attempts at negotiating a return to have him under control, as he was considered a threat. Morris served as a scout to British forces in Namibia during World War One.

In April 1922, Abraham Morris, Jakob Marengo's co-commander who had fled German SWA (c. 1906) during the German-Nama War 1903-1913, returned home from exile in South Africa. He crossed the Oranje River at Haibmund. Morris and his party reached Guruchas (|Guruxas) near |Haib on 28.04.1922, where he was greeted by the Bondelswart Captain Jakobus Christian. This was reported to the South African authorities in Warmbad and Windhoek. The SWA Administrator issued a warrant for Morris' arrest. An attempt was made to bring Morris to Warmbad but the !Gami-#nun (Bondelswarts) refused to allow this. Negotiations between the South Africans (Noothout, Superintendent of the Dreihoek reserve and Roman Catholic Father Krolikowski from Guruchas) and the Bondelswarts were stalled. On 25.05.1922 Noothout's house at Dreihoek was raided by the !Gami-#nun. Four days later the !Gami-#nun were attacked by South African soldiers using war planes, bombs and submachine guns, and there were more than 100 casualties on the !Gami-#nun side. Abraham Morris was killed on 29.05.1922 in Bergkamer in the |Haib Gorge near the Oranje River. A famous South African novel, James Ambrose Brown's "The return", was modelled after Morris' life story.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL

RAW DATA: Lau 1995:2543; DSAB III:650; Drechsler 1966:231, 234, 280; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000235
Morris, James
* 08.08.1817 at Ashby de la Zouch, England
+ 16.03.1904 at Maitland, Cape Town
First entry to Namibia: 1841
Last departure from Namibia: 1849
---
James Morris was born on 08.08.1817 at Ashby de la Zouch in England. He was a trader who came to the country from the Cape Colony in South Africa in 1841 or 1844. He established a small venture that sent meat from Walvis Bay to the island of St Helena. At the beginning of 1846, Jonker Afrikaner owed Morris 800 head of cattle, and Jonker's people were also heavily in debt to the trader. When Morris exerted pressure on Jonker to pay his debt, Jonker raided the herds of the Ovaherero. The export of meat to St Helena was ceased shortly afterwards. James Morris handed over his business to his nephew, Thomas Morris, in 1850, and retired to Cape Town. He died on 16.03.1904 at Maitland, Cape Town.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Trader

Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.411
2). Cape Archives: A.610
RAW DATA: Lau 1985:V1277; Tabler 1973:78-79; Esterhuyse 1968:11;

001740
Mortimer, Charles Broughton Gifford
* 16.01.1900 at Hanover, Cape, South Africa
---
Charles Broughton Gifford Mortimer was born on 16.01.1900 at Hanover in the Cape Colony, South Africa. He was educated at the Diocesan College at Rondebosch. He was a solicitor and notary public. He had a law practice in Walvis Bay.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW
Profession: Lawyer

Married to: Pauline Mortimer, née Coetzee, married 1924-
Father: Robert Richmond Mortimer
RAW DATA: WWSA 1929/30;

000105
Moses, Michael Ifingilwa
*
---
Michael Ifingilwa Moses was tried with other Namibians in the Pretoria Terrorism Trial from September 1967 to February 1968. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: PO

Namibia National Archives Database

000583
Mottel, Gert
*
+ 23.10.1880 at Zwartmodder
---
Gert Mottel was probably a member of the Kalkfontein Basters, who became allied to the Witboois. He died on 23.10.1880 at Zwartmodder.
---
Gender: m

Namibia National Archives Database

002308
Mouton, Albert, Baster Captain
*
+
---
After the death of Cornelius Van Wyk on 25.04.1924, Albert Mouton became the third Baster Captain. He kept this position until the South African crushed the Baster Uprising in 1925. In 1924 Baster demands for complete independence of the Rehoboth Gebied were answered by the South African administration by Proclamation No. 31 of 1924 which transferred all powers of the Baster Captain, Raad and Judiciary to the Rehoboth Magistrate. In 1925 the population in the Rehoboth Gebied numbered 3 500 Baster, 2 500 "blacks" and 30 "whites". The Gebied allowed squatting and was a sanctuary to "black" stock owners. This combination together with the independence dreams of the Baster, caused the "Rehoboth Rebellion of 1925". The Rehoboth Baster resisted attempts to do away with their rights to autonomy in terms of Proclamation No.31 of 1924 and kept the position of their Captain, Albert Mouton. On 05.04.1925 South African war planes threatened to attack Rehoboth. There was no bloodshed and a complete surrender followed. Martial law was declared, and 632 people including 289 Baster, 218 Ovaherero, 75 Nama and 50 Dama were detained. Johannes and Samuel Beukes landed up with 42 other Baster before a South African firing squad but were saved when the League of Nations intervened literally at the last minute. After the suppression of the rebellion, the SWA Administration began to move the Ovaherero out of the Gebied. The Ovaherero leader, Festus Kandjou, later complained that "they have been forced to leave their cattle behind". As a consequence of the "Baster Rebellion of 1925", the position of Baster Captain was finally abolished by the South Africans. On 20.09.1926 a Commission of Inquiry under Jacob de Villiers tabled its report on the events in Rehoboth of April 1925. The result was the establishment of an Advisory Council of six members to assist the local magistrate. The Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations informed the SWA Administration that the Baster had no case in terms of their claim for independence. Ben Africa was only in 1977 elected as fourth Baster Captain (until 1979).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000889
Mouton, Christiaan Johannes, Judge
* 30.04.1919 at Farm Johann-Albrechtshöhe
+ 25.06.1998 at Windhoek
---
Christiaan Johannes Mouton was born on the 30.04.1919 at the farm Johann-Albrechtshöhe. He obtained his schooling in Grootfontein and Windhoek. He studied history and political science at Bloemfontein, and law at Pretoria. Mouton practised law at Pretoria from 1945 to 1952. He returned to Namibia as Advocate in 1952. He was a member of the South African Parliament (four years) and a Senator. He was a Judge at the High Court from 1982 to 1987. Mouton was the Ombudsman from 1987 until 1990. He was a member of the Scientific Society, a board member from 1955 until 1957 and President from 1993 until 1995. He published a historical kaleidoscope of Namibia in Afrikaans, "Togte in Trekkersland". He died on 25.06.1998 at Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW
Profession: Lawyer Judge
Functions: President - Namibia Scientific Society - 1993-1995
Ombudsman - Namibia - 1987-1990

Married to: Esther Cecilia Uys Mouton, married 1951-
Father: Pieter Hendrik Mouton
RAW DATA: Mitt.NWG 43,4-6;

002091
Mpande, Uukwangali Queen
[Hompa, traditional title]
*
+ .1886
---
In the Kavango, Uukwangali Queen Mpande succeeded King Mpasi who died in 1880. She was the ninth in the recorded genealogy of the Uukwangali kings and queens. Hompa Mpande ruled the Uukwangali area until her death in 1886. Mpande was followed by King Himarua who ruled until 1910.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002090
Mpasi, Uukwangali King
[Hompa, traditional title]
*
+ .1880
---
In the Kavango, Uukwangali King Mpasi succeeded King Sikongo who died in 1870. He was the eighth in the recorded genealogy of the Uukwangali kings. Hompa Mpasi ruled until his death in 1880. Mpasi was followed by Queen Mpande who ruled until 1886.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002098
Mpasi, Daniel Sitendu, Uukwangali King
[Hompa, traditional title]
*
+
---
In the Kavango, King Mbandu died in 1977. Mbandu was followed by Hompa Daniel Sitendu Mpasi (1977-). He was the sixteenth in the recorded genealogy of the Uukwangali kings.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002088
Mpepo, Uukwangali King
[Hompa, traditional title]
*
+ .1833
---
In the Kavango, Uukwangali King Mpepo overthrew his brother, King Siremo, with assistance of the Uukwanyama community in Ovamboland in 1822. He was the sixth in the recorded genealogy of the Uukwangali kings. During his rule many of his subjects fled the Uukwangali area, due to his ruthless misuse of power. Mpepo was murdered in 1833 and followed by King Sikongo who ruled until 1870.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001032
Mubiana, Stoney
* at Katima Mulilo
+ 02.02.2003 at Windhoek
---
Stoney Mubiana was born at Katima Mulilo. He was a musician from an early age. He joined the SWABC in 1989. He was a popular performer of live music and recorded several albums. He worked as music librarian at the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation. He died on 02.02.2003 at Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MUS

RAW DATA: The Namibian 09.03.2001;

000491
Mudge, Dirk Frederik
* 16.01.1928 at Otjiwarongo
---
Dirk Frederik Mudge was born on 16.01.1928 at Otjiwarongo. He studied at the Stellenbosch University. He was a farmer and politician. He was active in the National Party, Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1961 until 1980. He served on the "white" Executive Committee from 1965 until 1977. He was the co-founder and chairman of the Republican Party (1977) and the DTA. From 01.07.1980 to 18.01.1983 he was the Chairman of the "Council of Ministers". In 983 he was the representative of the DTA in the Multi-Party Conference. He was a Member of the Constituent Assembly from 1989 to 1990 and the First National Assembly 1990-1993. He retired from politics on 04.04.1993. He donated all his personal archive material to the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria and not to the Namibia National Archives.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Politician Farmer

Father:
Collections/Papers:
1). UNISA Library
2). Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks)

002057
Muhera, Gciriku King
*
+ .1879
---
In the Kavango, the Gciriku King Muhera died in 1879. He was the first in the recorded genealogy of the Gciriku kings. Successor was King Nyangana (1879-1924).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002109
Muhinda, Richard, Fwe (Mafwe) King
[Mamili, traditional title]
* at Chinchimani
+ .1987
---
After the death of Fwe (Mafwe) King Simata Simasiku in 1971, he was succeeded by Mamili Richard Muhinda (1971-1987) who originated from Chinchimani. He was the fifth in the recorded genealogy of the Mafwe kings. In 1975 during the Turnhalle Constituent Assembly, Muhinda was one of the Caprivi representatives. 1976 Mamili Richard Muhinda replaced Liswani Moraliswani as Chief Minister of the Lozi. Muhinda was followed by Mamili Boniface Bebi (1987-1999), originating from Linyanti.

---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002192
Mukuejuva, Ovaherero Chief
*
+
---
In ca. 1820 Maharero (or Kamaharero) was born to Ua Tjirue Tjamuaha and his first wife Otjorozumo, daughter of Ndomo, daughter of Peraa, daughter of Mbondo, daughter of Mukuejuva of the eanda yomukueyuva (community or clan).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Traditional leader
Functions: Chief - Ovaherero - before 1800

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002224
Mukulu, Oswin Shifiona, Ovamboland (Ombalantu) King
*
+
---
The Ombalantu King Oswin Shifiona Mukulu rules since 1983.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002275
Mukwambi, Ovamboland (Uukwambi) King
*
+
---
The first Uukwambi King on record was King Mukwambi. He ruled before 1750. The first seven Uukwambi kings cannot be dated. His successor was the second Uukwambi King Nakano.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001743
Mullaschleu
*
---
Pastor of the AMEC in Windhoek before 1953.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL

RAW DATA: Schlosser 1958:115;

001741
Müller
*
---
Lüderitz' manager in Angra Pequeña 1885.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Esterhuyse 1968:103;

001055
Mueller, Franz Ludwig Wilhelm
[Müller, Franz Ludwig Wilhelm]
* 07.09.1850 at Friedrichsthal, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1895
Last departure from Namibia: 1903
---
Franz Ludwig Wilhelm Mueller was born on 07.09.1850 at Friedrichsthal in Germany. He joined the Prussian military in 1868. He came to Namibia 1895 in the rank of Major. He served as Leutwein's deputy in his function as commander of the Schutztruppe. He commanded the campaign against the Swartboois and Northwestern Ovaherero in 1897/98. In 1903, he was transferred to Cameroon to serve as Schutztruppe commander. He retired in 1908 in the rank of Generalmajor. After retirement, he was active in colonial organisations, most prominently as chairman of the Kolonialkriegerdank.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Schutztruppe officer

RAW DATA: Dt. Koloniallexikon; Drechsler 1966:114, 182, 344;

001744
Muller, G.J.E.
* 08.04.1876 at Clausthal, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1907
---
G.J.E. Muller was born on 08.04.1876 at Clausthal in Germany. He came to Namibia (or to South Africa?) in 1907. He was a Technical Assistant at the Mines Department of the SWA Administration.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: WWSA 1929/30;

001742
Müller, H.
*
---
"Kirchenmusikdirektor" of the German Lutheran Church in Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL MUS

Namibia National Archives Database

001053
Müller, H. Peter
* 17.07.1929 at Windhoek
---
H. Peter Müller was born on 17.07.1929 at Windhoek. He was educated at Cape Town. He was the proprietor of Boysen, Wulff Co.
---
Gender: m

Father: Peter Müller (1873-1934)
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001054
Müller, Peter
* .1873 in Germany
+ .1934
First entry to Namibia: 1897
---
Peter Müller was born on 1873 in Germany. He came to Namibia in 1897. He was employed by Boysen, Wulff Co and later took over the firm. He fought in the German Namibian War of 1904. He was the Mayor of Windhoek from 1911 to 1916 and 1920 to 1922. He was the member of numerous advisory bodies and commissions. He died in 1934.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Functions: Member - Gouvernementsrat - 1906-1908
Chairman - Windhoek Chamber of Commerce
Mayor - Windhoek - 1911-1916 + 1920-1922
Member - Advisory Council
Member - Legislative Assembly - 1926-1934

Children: H. Peter Müller
Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.231;

001056
Muller, Gert Johannes
* 07.02.1926 at Prince Albert, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1948
---
Gert Johannes Muller was born on 07.02.1926 at Prince Albert in South Africa. He was an attorney, notary and conveyancer. He came to Namibia in 1948.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW
Profession: Attorney

Married to: Anna Magdalena Muller, née Bothma, married 1949-
Father: Gert Johannes Muller
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001663
Müller, Max
* 20.09.1873
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer

RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:221-222, 228;

01057
Mulongeni, Valentina
* in Bulgaria
---
Valentina Mulongeni is a historian with a MA 1987 degree (University Sofia in Bulgaria) with a thesis on the Namibian liberation movement. She came to Namibia with her husband, Ben Mulongeni. From 1991 to 199? she was the history curator at the National Museum, then Director in the Ministry of Labour in Windhoek.
---
Gender: f
Profession: Historian

Married to: Ben Mulongeni

Namibia National Archives Database

002199
Mungunda, John Samuel Aaron, Ovaherero Chief
*
+
---
Ovaherero Chief John Samuel Aron Mungunda was the Chief in Otjombuindja in the Ozongoto area around 1840. On 12.03.1851 Francis Galton offered to arrange for a peace treaty between the Ovaherero communities of Oove ua Muhoko Kahitjene, one of Jonker’s former allies, and Chief John Samuel Aron Mungunda, but Kahitjene declined the offer. In a subsequent skirmish between Mungunda’s sons and Kahitjene, the latter was killed. The Ovaherero decided that the Mungunda community should settle together with Tjamuaha’s son, Maharero (or Kamaharero).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Traditional leader
Functions: Chief - Ovaherero - around 1840

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000760
Mungunda, Willem, Rev.
* 25.12.1915 at Gemsbokvlei, Gibeon District
+ 22.09.2002
---
Willem Mungunda was born on 25.12.1915 at Gemsbokvlei in the Gibeon District. He was a pastor of the ELCRN Church, a community activist, musician and composer. In the 1950s and 1960s he extended help to abused contract labourers, whom he sheltered and helped get back to northern Namibia. He died on 22.09.2002.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Clergyman

Namibia National Archives Database

002078
Munika, Erwin Mbambo
[Fumu, traditional title]

*
+
---
Fumu Erwin Mbambo Munika was inaugurated as the Chief of the Mbukushu area in the Kavango in 1991. He was the seventeenth in the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings. He resides in Mukwe.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000236
Munnik, James Barry
*
---
James Barry Munnik was an entrepreneur from Cape Town who established a fishery at Walvis Bay in 1858/59, exporting fish. 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 in Walvis Bay.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS

RAW DATA: Wilken et al, 1978:56-58; Berichte, 1853:283;

001745
Murangi, Gottlieb
* in Namibia
---
Herero evangelist
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL

Namibia National Archives Database

002079
Muronga, Frans Haingura
[Hompa, traditional title]

*
+
---
Hompa Frans Haingura Muronga was inaugurated as the Chief of the Mbunza area in the Kavango in 1996.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000237
Murray, Mungo
*
---
Mungo Murray was a Scotchman who hunted in Bechuanaland with William Cotton Oswell in 1845. Together with Oswell, he financed the expedition during which he, Oswell and David Livingstone, reached Lake Ngami in 1849.
---
Gender: m

Namibia National Archives Database

001746
Musgrave, Benjamin d'Urban
*
First entry to Namibia: 1880
Last departure from Namibia: 1882
---
Benjamin d'Urban Musgrave was the representative of the British Government in Okahandja from 1880 to 1882.
---
Gender: m

RAW DATA: Esterhuyse 1968:23, 29-30, 32-34;

002294
Mushindi uaKanene, Ovamboland (Uukwanyama) King
*
+ around 1600
---
The first Uukwanyama King on record was King Kambungu kaMuheya (together with King Mushindi uaKanene in the first line of the Uukwanyama genealogy). He ruled around 1600. The first seven Uukwanyama kings cannot be precisely dated. His successor was the second Uukwanyama King Kavonga kaHaidongo.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001747
Mustakallio, J.
* in Finland
---
Finnish missionary in Ovamboland.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

Namibia National Archives Database

002190
Mutjise, Ovaherero Chief
*
+
---
Setting out from the Kaokoveld, Ovaherero leader Mutjise, son of Mbunga, son of Tjituka, son of Kasupi, son of Vatje, son of Kengeza of the oruzo orwohorongo (community or clan, also religious group from the father’s side, while eanda is a socio-economic group to which the mother belongs), moved to Okahandja (probably after 1785). He was followed by Ovaherero Chief Tjirwe.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Traditional leader
Functions: Chief - Ovaherero - around 1750

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002327
Mutongulume, Maxton Joseph
* 1933
+ 07.04.2004 at Windhoek
---
Maxton Joseph Mutongulume was born in 1933. On 02.08.1957 the Ovamboland People’s Congress (OPC) was launched by Herman Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo in Cape Town (in formal terms the OPC was never constituted). Among the founding members were Simon "Mzee" Kaukungua, Eliazer Tuhadeleni (Kaxumba kaNdola), Peter Hilinganye Mweshihange, Solomon Mifima, Maxton Joseph Mutongulume, Jariretundu Kozonguizi, Emil Appolus, Andreas Shipanga, Ottiliè Schimming and Kenneth Abrahams. The OPC was reconstituted as the Ovamboland People's Organisation (OPO) in 1958. On 19.04.1960 the OPO’s reconstitution as SWAPO was triggered by national leaders such as Sam Nujoma, Mburumba Kerina, Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, Jacob Kuhangua, Solomon Mifima, Paul Helmuth, Andreas Shipanga, Erasmus Erastus Mbumba, Emil Appolus, Maxton Joseph Mutongulume and Carlos Hamatui. As from the early 1960s Mutongulume organised SWAPO's office in Francistown in Botswana. He was elected as Assistant Organising Secretary for the 1969 SWAPO Tanga Consultative Congress. He was for many years (until his death) the Secretary for Transport on the SWAPO Central Committee. He died on 07.04.2004 at Windhoek after a long illness. Mutongulume was buried at the Heroe's Acre in Windhoek with full military honours on 17.04.2004.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Namibia Handbook and Political Who's Who, 1990 (Pütz, Von Egidy and Caplan); Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000934
Mutwa, Prince George
* in Namibia
+ 03.09.2002 in Namibia
---
Mutwa was a pioneer of the communal conservancy movement and chairman of the Salambala Conservancy in Caprivi. He was the leading figure in changing the attitude of people in Caprivi towards the conservation of wildlife, and making wildlife tourism a major income generating factor for local communities. For his effort, he was honoured posthumously with the Namibia Nature Foundation Environmental Award 2002. He died on 03.09.2002.
---

Gender: m

RAW DATA: Allgemeine Zeitung 22.11.2002;

001058
Muyongo, Mishake
[Muyongo, Mishek]
* 28.04.1940 at Linyanti
---
Mishake Muyongo was born on 28.04.1940 at Linyanti. He was educated at the Catholic mission school in Katima Mulilo, then the Gokomero Mission School in Rhodesia (now: Zimbabwe), where he graduated from high school in 1961. He worked as a teacher. In March 1964, he became the co-founder and vice-president of the Caprivi African National Union (CANU). In September 1964, he went into exile to Zambia after a mass demonstration in Katima Mulilo which ended in bloodshed. He negotiated the merger of CANU with SWAPO in Dar-Es-Salaam in November 1964. He was the SWAPO representative in Zambia from 1965 until 1966. He was the SWAPO secretary for education from 1966 until 1970. Muyongo was elected as SWAPO Vice-President at the Tanga Conference in 1970. With his connections to Zambian government circles, he was instrumental in crushing the so-called "Shipanga Rebellion" in 1976. In 1980 he was expelled from SWAPO. He returned to Namibia on 08.07.1985 where he led his faction of CANU into the DTA. He was the DTA Vice President from 1987 until 1992 and DTA President from 1992 to 1999 and presidential candidate for the 1994 Presidential Elections. He was implicated in the bloody secessionist attempt of 1998/99 in the Caprivi Region. Consequently he was relieved of his DTA post, went into exile and found asylum in Denmark.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Politician

RAW DATA: Dickie/Rake 1973; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

002273
Mwaala gwa Nashilongo, Ovamboland (Uukwaluudhi) King
*
+ .1960
---
The eleventh Uukwaluudhi King Omukwaniilwa (traditional title) was Mwaala gwa Nashilongo. He followed Iita ya Nalitoke in 1909. He ruled from 1909 until 1960. He played a major role in contributing to peace, stability and the restoration of human rights in the Uukwaluudhi area. Mwaala gwa Nashilongo died in 1960. His successor was the 12th Uukwaluudhi King Hosea Shikongo Taapopi Shitaatala (since 20.09.1960).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001059
Mwase, Ngila
* .1948 in Tanzania
---
Ngila Mwase studied in Dar-Es-Salaam, Leicester and Newcastle upon Tyne. He was an economist. He taught first at the University of Dar-Es-Salaam, and from 1982 until 1990 at the United Nations Institute for Namibia in Lusaka. He was the author of several studies on the Namibian economy and transport matters.
---
Gender: m

Namibia National Archives Database

002081
Mwengere, Maria

*
+
---
In the Kavango, the Shambyu Queen Maria Mwengere ruled from 1947 until 1987. She was succeeded by Queen Hompa Angelina Matumbo Ribebe (1989-).
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000116
Mweshihange, Peter Hilinganye
[Mueshihange, Peter Hilinganye - alternative spelling]
* 05.05.1930 at Epinga
+ 20.03.1998 at Windhoek
---
Peter Hilinganye Mweshihange was born on 05.05.1930 at Epinga in northern Namibia. His father was Mweshihange Shilema, and his mother was Naemi Mwashekapo Hafeni. He started schooling at the St. Marys' Mission in Odibo, in 1941. In 1946, he left for contract work to Tsumeb, then he became a truck driver and later head of transport services of SWANLA. After work in Johannesburg and Cape Town, where he was involved with the Ovamboland People's Congress (OPC) and the Ovamboland People's Organisation (OPO), he went into exile from Cape Town to Tanganyika in 1960. After studies in Dar-Es-Salaam (1961-1962) and in Ghana (1963-1964), he worked for SWAPO and was elected Secretary for International Relations at the Tanga Congress, 1969/70. He held this post until 1986 when he became SWAPO Secretary for Defence. In 1990, he became Namibia's first Minister of Defence, a post which he held until 1995. In 1996, he became Namibia's first Ambassador to China. On 20.03.1998, he died in Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL MIL DIP

Married to: Julia Mweshihange, married 1985

Collections/Papers:
1). Namibia National Archives Database
2). Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks)

000300
Mweshipandeka sha Shaningika, Ovamboland (Uukwanyama) King
[Tjipandeka - alternative spelling]
* in Namibia? Angola?
+ .1882 in Ondjiva
---
Mweshipandeka sha Shaningika was the eleventh King of Uukwanyama from 1862 until 1882. During his reign the Uukwanyama kingdom experienced a political and economical upswing. He founded the capital Ondjiva (in resent-day Angola). Carl Hugo Hahn visited him during his journey to Ovamboland in August 1866. Ondonga King Shikongo sha Kalulu and several of Nangolo's children had sought refuge with Mweshipandeka after having been ousted by Shipanga shAmukwiita in 1859, despite the fact that Mweshipandeka has assisted Shipanga in doing so. In 1871 the Swedish trader Eriksson, together with the Ovaherero/Ovahimba chiefs Tom Bechuana and Vita Tom visited King Mweshipandeka sha Shaningika in Ondjiva. In the middle of 1871 the Finnish missionary Tolonen obtained permission from Mweshipandeka sha Shaningika to build a house in the Uukwanyama area, but in October the same year he returned to Ondonga because he was not well received in the area. King Mweshipandeka sha Shaningika died in 1882. His successor was the 12th Uukwanyama King Namadi ya Mweihanyeka (1882-1884).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Functions: King - Uukwanyama - 1852-1882

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001031
Mwesihange, Kweni
* at Luanda, Angola
---
Born in exile at Luanda, grew up in Germany, and repatriated to Namibia in 1990. Rap singer.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: MUS

RAW DATA: The Namibian 09.03.2001;

002306
Mwetupunga Shelungu, Cornelius, Ovamboland (Uukwanyama) King
*
+
---
Cornelius Mwetupunga Shelungu is the sixteenth Uukwanyama king and indirect successor of King Mandume ya Ndemufayo who was killed by the South Africans in February 1917. He was sworn in 1998, after the independence of the Republic of Namibia in 1990.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

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