BIOGRAPHIES OF NAMIBIAN
PERSONALITIES
in alphabetical order
KLAUS DIERKS
Copyright © 2003-2004 Dr. Klaus Dierks
R
001118
Rabie, Eric Lynton
* 18.08.1896 at Aberdeen, South Africa
---
Eric Lynton Rabie was born on 18.08.1896 at Aberdeen in South Africa. He was
educated at the Marist Brothers, Uitenhage. He served in World War One. He came to Namibia
in 1941. He was a local Director for the Barclays Bank D.C.O. He was active in various
sports bodies.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Louise Marie Rabie, née Rapmund, married 1925-
Father: C.J. Rabie
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
001787
Radford, David
*
First entry to Namibia: 1860
---
David Radford was a trader in Angra Pequeña since 1862. He was the first European to
settle there (until the 1880s, when Heinrich Vogelsang "bought" Angra Pequeña
for Franz Adolf Eduard Lüderitz).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Father:
RAW DATA: Esterhuyse 1968:39-40; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
001788
Rafalski, Hans
* 20.08.1874 in Germany
+ 24.01.1944 at Berlin, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1904
Last departure from Namibia: 1914
---
Hans Rafalski was born on 20.08.1874 in Germany. He came to Namibia in 1904 as
non-commissioned Schutztruppe officer. After the German-Namibian War had ended, he became
a police officer in the Lüderitzbucht District. He organised the first diamond police
unit. Later, he headed the police school in Windhoek. He went for holiday to Germany in
1914, and was prevented by World War One from returning to Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Children: Hans-Joachim Rafalski (1909-)
Namibia National Archives Database
001726
Raiff, Wilhelm
* .188? in Germany
+ .194?
First entry to Namibia: 1903
Last departure from Namibia: 1919
---
Wilhelm Raiff came to Namibia in 1903, presumably employed by the Otavi Railway. He served
as Schutztruppe soldier in the German Namibian War of 1904. He established a construction
firm in Grootfontein. In the First World War he was a non-commissioned officer in
Nkurenkuru. In 1916 he was jailed by the South African authorities for the illegal
movement of cattle. He escaped from the Grootfontein prison and lived as an outlaw until
his re-capture in October 1917. He was involved in the escape of Feuerstein and Voswinckel
from the Windhoek prison. He was deported to Germany in 1919. There he was trained as an
architect, and established an office of the "Interessenvertretung ehemaliger
Südwestafrikaner" in Berlin. Later he joined the Nazi Reiter-SA and reached the rank
of Standartenführer. He wrote a book "Kämpfe im Busch" about his Namibian
experiences (published 1935).
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: AHK 1975:113-115;
001941
Ramakhutla, Erica
* 18.02.1956 in Namibia
+ 21.04.2003 at Windhoek
---
Erica Ramakhutla was born on 18.02.1956. She was a SWAPO activist and functionary of the
SWAPO Women's Council. She died on 21.04.2003 in Windhoek.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: POL
Namibia National Archives Database
000408
Range, Paul, Dr.
* .1879 at Berlin, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1906
Last departure from Namibia: 1912
---
Paul Range was born in 1879 at Berlin in Germany. He served as a government geologist in
Namibia from 1906 until 1912, also as a reserve officer. He published extensively on the
geology of the country. Later he was a university teacher in Berlin.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: NAT
Profession: Geologist
RAW DATA: W. Tabel: Erlebnisberichte von Forschern und Jägern aus der Kolonialzeit
Südwestafrikas, in: Afrikanischer Heimatkalender 1976, pp.85-120; Fischer 1935:149, 234,
237;
000250
Rath, Anna (Jnr.)
* 29.03.1851 at Otjimbingwe
---
Anna Rath was born on 29.03.1851 at Otjimbingwe. She was the daughter of Johannes and Anna
Rath. She was taken to the Cape Colony by her parents in the late 1858 or early 1859 to
attend school, thus escaping the marine disaster off Walvis Bay in which Johannes Rath
lost his wife and four children on 01.04.1859. She remained at the Cape and became a
teacher there. She was married to the Reverend J.C. Pauw in 1898.
---
Gender: f
Mother: Anna Rath, née Jörris (1822-1859)
Father: Johannes Rath (1816-1903)
RAW DATA: RAW DATA: DSAB II:570;
000251
Rath, Hermann
* .1853
+ 01.04.1859 at Walvis Bay
---
Hermann Rath was born in 1853. He was the eldest son of Johannes and Anna Rath. He drowned
together with his mother and three of Johannes Rath's other children on 01.04.1859 when
the ship in which they were returning from the Cape foundered off Walvis Bay.
---
Gender: m
Mother: Anna Rath, née Jörris (1822-1859)
Father: Johannes Rath (1816-1903)
Namibia National Archives Database
000252
Rath, Johannes
* 31.01.1816 at Vienna, Austria
+ 06.06.1903 at Kuils River, Cape Colony, South Africa
---
Johannes Rath was born on 31.01.1816 at Vienna in Austria. He was a Rhenish Missionary. He
began his career as a weaver, but entered the Rhenish Mission in 1840 and was ordained as
a missionary on 14.08.1844. He travelled together with Heinrich Scheppmann to Cape Town
where he arrived on 19.11.1844. They arrived at Walvis Bay on 04.01.1845. The two
missionaries were the first to use this route to South West Africa. From Walvis Bay they
reached Otjikango (Gross Barmen), where he became an assistant to Carl Hugo Hahn on
09.04.1845. He learnt the Otjiherero language so quickly that he could preach in it by
1847. At the end of 1845 severe droughts caused a shortage of food, but there was no
direct link between Otjikango and Walvis Bay. Rath was asked to go to Walvis Bay via
Windhoek to buy necessities there. He left on 28.01.1846, but there was no way of reaching
Walvis Bay from Windhoek because the Northern Bay Road constructed by Orlam Afrikaner
Chief Jonker Afrikaner was not completed yet (only to be completed by the early 1850s).
Eventually he was forced to travel to Cape Town. Because of difficulties on his journey he
arrived at Otjikango only on 01.12.1846. In 1848 he once again travelled to Cape Town. He
married Anna Jörris of Mettmann near Düsseldorf in Germany, at Walvis Bay on 21.03.1848.
In accordance with the decision of the mission conference at Otjikango in April 1849 Rath
was instructed to establish a mission station between Otjikango and the Atlantic coast. On
09.07.1849 he founded a station at Otjimbingwe on the banks of the Swakop River, on a site
which Rhenish Missionary Heinrich Scheppmann had found suitable in 1845 when seeking a
direct route to Walvis Bay from Otjikango. The Ovaherero Chief Wilhelm Christian Zeraua
promised to settle there and after the first rains in January 1850, the Ovaherero flocked
to Otjimbingwe. There Rath built a simple house of clay bricks and a room (with mere
openings for the door and windows) for services and teaching. Fifty pupils were present on
the first day. After the Orlam Afrikaners under Jonker Afrikaner had attacked Otjimbingwe
at the end of 1852 Rath left for Cape Town in 1853. He returned over land and on his way
worked for seven months in Bethany before reaching Otjimbingwe at the end of 1853. With
Carl Hugo Hahn, the big-game hunter Frederick Joseph Green and George W. Bonfield, Rath
undertook a journey of four months to Ovamboland on 20.05.1857, mainly to extend his
mission work. The journey took the party to Ondonga, where the travellers were forced to
flee for their lives, because of hostilities by the Ondonga community. The two Rhenish
Missionaries got back to Otjimbingwe on 11.09.1857. In October 1858 Rath, accompanied by
his wife and six children, went to Cape Town to arrange the education of the eldest two
and to get his Otjiherero dictionary of 3 900 words printed. On his return journey he was
shipwrecked in Walvis Bay on 01.04.1859, losing his wife and four children in the
disaster. He returned to Otjimbingwe but on 13.06.1861 he left this station and South West
Africa for good. In 1862 he began his long service as a missionary at Sarepta in the Cape
Colony, where he worked until 27.07.1893, when he was succeeded by Rhenish Missionary
Friedrich Eich. On his retirement Rath first went to live at Stellenbosch but after the
marriage of his daughter Anna Rath to the Reverend J.C. Pauw in 1898, he
went to live with his son-in-law at Wellington. While visiting another daughter, Katharina
de Villiers of Kuils Rivier, he died on 06.06.1903 at Kuils River, Cape Colony and
was buried at Sarepta.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married to: Anna Rath, née Jörris (1822-1859), married 1848-1859
Children: Katharina Rath (married de Villiers)(1849-)
Anna Rath (1851-)
Hermann Rath (1853-1859)
Johannes Jr. Rath (18??-1859)
Marie Rath (18??-1859)
Leopold Rath (1858-1859)
RAW DATA: DSAB II:570-571;
002328
Rath, Katharina
* .1849 at Otjimbingwe
+
---
Katharina Rath was born in 1849 at Otjimbingwe. She was the oldest daughter of Johannes
and Anna Rath. She was taken to the Cape Colony by her parents in the late 1858 or early
1859 to attend school, thus escaping the marine disaster off Walvis Bay in which Johannes
Rath lost his wife and four children on 01.04.1859. She married a Mr. de Villiers and
lived at Kuils River in the Cape Colony in South Africa.
---
Gender: f
Mother: Anna Rath, née Jörris (1822-1859)
Father: Johannes Rath (1816-1903)
Namibia National Archives Database
000254
Rath, Leopold
* .1858
+ 01.04.1859 at Walvis Bay
---
Leopold Rath was the youngest child of Johannes and Anna Rath. He drowned together with
his mother and three of Johannes Rath's other children when the ship in which they were
returning from the Cape Colony foundered off Walvis Bay.
---
Gender: m
Mother: Anna Rath, née Jörris (1822-1859)
Father: Johannes Rath (1816-1903)
Namibia National Archives Database
000255
Rath, Marie
*
+ 01.04.1859 at Walvis Bay
---
Marie Rath was one of Johannes and Anna Rath's children who drowned together with his
mother and three of Johannes Rath's other children when the ship in which they were
returning from the Cape Colony foundered off Walvis Bay.
---
Gender: f
Mother: Anna Rath, née Jörris (1822-1859)
Father: Johannes Rath (1816-1903)
Namibia National Archives Database
000029
Ratledge, James Philo
[Ratledge, Jim - ]
* in Canada
+ 20.03.1998 at Somerset West, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1948
---
James Philo Ratledge was born in Canada. He was a senior manager in the Tsumeb Corporation
from 1948-1977. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Tsumeb copper and lead
smelter plants. He was a founder member and first president (from 1969 until 1971) of the
Association of Mining Companies of South West Africa. On his retirement in 1977 he took to
crop farming in the Kombat area. His last years until his death on 20.03.1998 he spent at
Somerset West in South Africa.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EN
Profession: Engineer
Married to: Marlene
Namibia National Archives Database
000256
Rausch, Johann Heinrich Wilhelm
* 10.07.1832 at Siegburg, Germany
+ .1867
---
Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Rausch was born on 10.07.1832 at Siegburg in Germany. He was a
teacher at the school of the Rhenish Missionary Society at Stellenbosch from 1854 to 1866,
whose house at the same time was a hostel for missionary sons who attended the school. In
1866, he joined the Dutch Reformed Church for financial reasons and was stationed at
Victoria West. He was married to Jacoba Hendrika Vos from Stellenbosch on 14.12.1857.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
Profession: Teacher
Married to: Jacoba Hendrika Rausch, née Vos, married 1857-
RAW DATA: Vergissmeinnicht 1893:33; Strassberger 1969:32; von Rohden 1888:113; Faulenbach;
000207
Rautanen, Friederika (Frieda)
[Kleinschmidt, Friederika - birth name]
* 25.04.1854 at Rehoboth
---
Friederika (Frieda) Rautanen, née Kleinschmidt, was born on 25.04.1854 at Rehoboth. She
was the daughter of Franz Heinrich and Hanna Kleinschmidt. She married the Finnish
Missionary Martti Rautanen on 11.09.1872
---
Gender: f
Married to: Martti Rautanen (1845-1926), married 1872-
Mother: Hanna Kleinschmidt, née Schmelen (1819-1884)
Father: Franz Heinrich Kleinschmidt (1812-1864)
RAW DATA: Grönholm 1983:10; Tabler 1972:90; Vergissmeinnicht 1893:20; Faulenbach;
000257
Rautanen, Martti
[Nakambale - Ovambo name]
* 10.11.1845 at Novasolka, Finland
+ 19.10.1926 at Olukonda
---
Martti Rautanen was born on 10.11.1845 at Novasolka in Finland. He was a missionary of the
Finnish Missionary Society and translator of the Bible into Oshindonga. He completed his
training at the mission school in Helsingfors (Helsinki) in 1867. He came to Namibia via
the Cape Colony (arrival in Cape Town: 30.12.1868) with the missionaries Botolf Bernhard
Björklund, Karl August Weikkolin, P. Kurvinen, K.L. Tolonen and four lay brothers on
14.02.1869. Having been taught Otjiherero by Rhenish missionaries under Carl Hugo Hahn at
Otjimbingwe, they resumed their journey, arriving in Ovamboland on 08.07.1870. There
Rautanen and three others began to work in the Uukwambi area. Rautanen soon left to work
alone among the Ongandjera community, where he founded a mission station called Rehoboth
(Okahao), named after the existing Rhenish mission station Rehoboth south of Windhoek. He
married Friederika (Frieda) Kleinschmidt on 11.09.1872, daughter of the Rhenish Missionary
qt Rehoboth (in the south), Heinrich Kleinschmidt. As his wife was German speaking,
Rautanen spoke German at home. Due to the anti-missionary attitudes of the Ongandjera King
Tsheya tsUutshona (1862-1878) and the Uukwambi King Nuyoma (1863-1875), the Finnish
Missionary Society evacuated the mission stations in the Uukwambi and Ongandjera areas in
1873. Thereafter Rautanen worked in Omandonga, the capital of the Ondonga area until 1880.
From there he moved to Olukonda, where he spent the rest of his life. Rautanen became the
counsellor, missionary and personal physician of several successive Ondonga kings:
Kambonde kaNankwaya (1874-1883), Iitana yaNekwiyu (1883-1884) and Kambonde kaMpingana
(1884-1909). In 1882 he became the head of the Finnish missionary work in Ovamboland. His
Ovambo name was Nakambale ("He who carries the (tobacco) basket"). His most
important work was the translation of the Bible into Oshindonga. His translation of
Matthew was published in 1891, then followed Mark (1892), Luke (1895), John (1896) and the
Acts (1897). The complete New Testament was published in 1908. The whole Bible was
available in Oshindonga in 1924. Rautanen also contributed considerably to a mission
journal, Osondaha, which had appeared in Oshindonga since September 1901. In recognition
of his achievements he was awarded an honorary doctorate in theology by the University of
Helsinki in 1925. He died at Olukonda on 19.10.1926. The Rautanens had two sons and three
daughters. Trained as missionaries, the elder son, Karl Christian Reinhold, and the second
eldest daughter, Emelia Johanna, returned to Ovamboland, while the eldest daughter, Anna
Mathilda Rautanen, married Hermann Tönjes, a Rhenish Missionary in the Uukwanyama area of
Ovamboland, who later became commissioner at Lüderitz.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married to: Friederika Rautanen, née Kleinschmidt (1854-), married 1872
RAW DATA: Tabler 1972:90; Grönholm 1983:10; Vergissmeinnicht 1893:16; v.Schumann;
Drechsler 1966:110, 343; DSAB I:665-666;
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks (Rautanen's Grave at Olukonda)
000751
Rautenberg, Hulda Anna Charlotte
* 12.10.1911 at Bergedorf, Germany
+ 18.06.2002 at Flintbek bei Kiel, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1935
Last departure from Namibia: 1961
---
Local historian who published a history of Swakopmund.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: WRI
Namibia National Archives Database
001670
Raven, Alfred von
* 13.09.1877
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:86, 178;
001104
Reddy, Enuga Sreenivasulu
* .1924 in India
---
Enuga Sreenivasulu Reddy became interested in the struggles of the Indian and African
congresses in South Africa while a student at the University of Madras (now: Chennai) in
India. Arriving in New York for further studies in 1946, he met the South African people's
delegation led by A.B. Xuma, and since then was actively involved in supporting their
struggle. He joined the United Nations Secretariat in 1949 und dealt with South Africa and
also with Namibia for most of the 35 years he served as a UN official. From 1963 to 1984,
he was the official in charge of action against Apartheid, as principal secretary of the
Special Committee against Apartheid and later Director of the Centre against Apartheid. He
was Assistant Secretary-General of the UN from 1983 to 1985.
---
Gender: m
Field o f activity: POL
Father:
Collections/Papers:
1). Yale University
2). Nehru Memorial Museum
3). Witwatersrand University Library
4). University of Durban-Westville Library
001789
Redecker, Gottlieb
* 30.04.1871 at Otjimbingwe
+ 21.01.1945 at Gütersloh, Germany
Last departure from Namibia: 1921
---
Gottlieb Redecker was born on 30.04.1871 at Otjimbingwe. He was sent to Germany in 1882,
where he graduated from secondary school and studied civil engineering. He returned in
1896 to construct a wagon factory for the Hälbich family in Otjimbingwe. He went again to
Germany, married Marie Kornfeld and was sent to Namibia again as government construction
engineer (Regierungsbaumeister) in 1899. Redecker built the Christuskirche in Windhoek and
the government offices (Tintenpalast). He returned to Germany in 1921 and worked in a
government office for war damage compensation. He retired in 1931, lived in Berlin and
died in Gütersloh on 21.01.1945 in an air raid during World War Two.
---
Gender: m
Married to: Marie Redecker, née Kornfeld, married 1898
Mother: Lina Redecker, née Gronemeyer (-1882)
Father: Johann Wilhelm Redecker (1836-1911)
RAW DATA: AHK 1978:21-25;
000258
Redecker, Johann Wilhelm
* 29.09.1836 at Jöllenbeck, Germany
+ 27.01.1911 at Otjimbingwe
First entry to Namibia: 1867
---
Johann Wilhelm Redecker was born on 29.09.1836 at Jöllenbeck in Germany. He was a trader
and settler who landed at Walvis Bay on 15.05.1867 as one of Rhenish Missionary Carl Hugo
Hahn's mission colonists. When the mission colony was dissolved in 1874, he started his
own business, and had a store at Otjimbingwe during the 1870s. He was married twice: to
Lina Gronemeyer from Gütersloh on 31.03.1869, and in 1885 again to Anna Maria Husemann.
In all, he had eight children, one of them being the well-known architect Gottlieb
Redecker. He died on 27.01.1911 at Otjimbingwe.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Trader
Married to: <1>Lina Redecker, née Gronemeyer (-1882), married 1869-18822
<2>Anna Maria Redecker, née Husemann (1885)
Children: Gottlieb Redecker (1871-1945)
RAW DATA: Tabler 1972:91; von Schumann 1986:3; Vergissmeinnicht 1893:47; Mossolow 1978:21;
Lau 1989b:191; Drechsler 1966:60, 334;
000259
Redecker, Lina
[Gronemeyer, Lina - birth name]
* at Gütersloh, Germany
+ 02.02.1882
---
First wife of Johann Wilhelm Redecker.
---
Gender: f
Married to: Johann Wilhelm Redecker (1836-1911)
Children: Gottlieb Redecker (1871-1945)
Namibia National Archives Database
002314
Reeh, Günther
* 07.04.1926 at Lautzenbrücken in Germany
+
First entry to Namibia: 1952
Last departure from Namibia: 1971
---
Günther Reeh was born in Lautzenbrücken (Westerwald) in Germany on 07.04.1926. From
April 1939 onwards he received his schooling in some of the "Adolf Hitler
schools" (Krössinsee and Sonthofen in Germany). After World War Two he
decided to become a missionary in the Rhenish Missionary Society in Wuppertal. After his
training he went to Namibia in September 1952. He started his missionary career in
Okahandja where he met Heinrich Vedder. He worked together with Otto Milk from the
"white" Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische Kirche (DELK). Reeh was soon
confronted with the South African Apartheid policy which was, however, condoned by the
majority of German speaking missionaries and clergies. After a short sojourn in Windhoek,
Reeh was transferred to Tsumeb to work in the congregation of the DELK and the Rhenish
Church. 1956 he was transferred back to Windhoek. On 04.10.1957 Rhenish
"black" pastors were opposed to the idea of a Federal Church (as decided during
the Missionary Conference in Okahandja, December 1955) and demanded one single, entirely
united Church, with no division into different population groups, and it should be called
the Evangelical Lutheran Church of SWA (ELC). ELC was constituted at a synod held in
Okahandja. The church was led by Preses Hans Karl Diehl and Günther Reeh (Windhoek),
Hendrik Isaak (Maltahöhe), Andreas Kukuri (he died on 29.12.1966) and Otto Milk
(Okahandja), Daniel Strydom (Rehoboth) and Herrmann Tötemeyer (Keetmanshoop). 1961 Reeh
moved to the Karibib congregation (until 1964 when he moved back to Windhoek, in order to
take over the office of the Secretary of the ELC). On 27.01.1964 Clemence Kapuuo, advisor
to the Ovaherero Chief Hosea Kutako, rejected the South African plan to create Bantustan
according to the Odendaal Plan. The plan was also rejected by the leaders of the two
Lutheran churches: Leonard Auala from the ELOC and Vice Preses Paulus ||Gowaseb and
Secretary-General Günther Reeh from the ELC. In 1965 the All-Africa Lutheran Conference
took place in Addis Ababa. The Namibian delegation consisted of members of the ELOC, Arvo
Eirola and Leonard Auala, as well as members of the ELC, Albert Mouton, Paulus ||Gowaseb,
Joshua Hoebeb and Günther Reeh. On 30.06.1971 Lutheran church leaders Nangolo Leonard
Auala and Paulus ||Gowaseb, supported by Lukas de Vries condemned the contract labour and
the Apartheid system (Open letter of Namibian church leaders to SA Prime Minister Vorster
signed by Auala and ||Gowaseb and allegedly drafted by Günther Reeh)). This protest was
supported by the Roman-Catholic church leaders, Bishop Koppmann from Windhoek and Bishop
Schlotterback from Keetmanshoop. The German Evangelical Lutheran Church (DELK) under Otto
Milk rejected the letter. On 18.08.1971 the church leaders Nangolo Leonard Auala,
supported by Petrus Shipena and Vilho Kaulinge, and Paulus ||Gowaseb, supported by Elifas
Eiseb, Albertus Maasdorp and Günther Reeh, met SA Prime Minister John Vorster in
Windhoek. Vorster tried to defend the South African Apartheid system as a Christian
philosophy. This was rejected by the Namibian church leaders. All these events led to the
South African decision to declare Günther Reeh and his family to "prohibited
immigrants" and a further work permit in Namibia was consequently refused in 1972.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Married: Lieschen Schaberg (01.01.1956-)
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000750
Rehbock, Theodor, Prof. Dr.
* .1864 at Amsterdam, Netherlands
+ .1950
First entry to Namibia: 1896
Last departure from Namibia: 1897
---
Theodor Rehbock was born in 1864 at Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He was a hydraulic
engineer and Professor at the Technische Hochschule (Technical University) in Karlsruhe.
He was on a consultancy trip to Namibia from 1896 to 1897. He travelled widely, especially
in southern Namibia. Many later dam projects in Namibia can be traced back to his
recommendations, laid down in a substantial published report,
"Deutsch-Südwestafrika, seine wirtschaftliche Erschliessung unter besonderer
Berücksichtigung der Nutzbarmachung des Wassers", 1898. Rehbock was also an
excellent photographer. Among his photographs of Nama people, published in a volume
"Deutsch-Südwestafrika: 96 Lichtdrucke...", are outstanding examples of
sensitive portraiture free from the racist attitude which characterised so much of
contemporary colonial photography. He died in 1950.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ENG
Profession: Engineer
RAW DATA: Dt.Koloniallexikon;
000260
Reid, Mr.
*
---
Mr. Reid was a trader who was in the employ of Charles John Andersson in 1852. In 1855, he
was the manager of the Matchless Mine.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Trader
RAW DATA: Lau 1987:103;
001790
Reinecke, Dr.
*
---
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:169, 353;
000409
Reuning, Ernst, Dr.
*
---
Ernst Reuning was a geologist in the service of the Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft für
Südwestafrika. Later he was a university teacher (Privatdozent) at the University of
Giessen.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: NAT
Profession: Geologist
Namibia National Archives Database
001791
Reiss, Leutnant
[Reis, alternative spelling]
*
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:346;
001792
Rethemeier, A.
* .1905 in Germany
---
Missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Namibia National Archives Database
001793
Rethemeier, Hermann
* .1895 in Germany
---
Missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Namibia National Archives Database
000592
Rhodes, Cecil John
* 05.07.1853 at Bishop's Stortford, England
+ 26.03.1902 at Muizenberg, South Africa
---
Cecil John Rhodes was born on 05.07.1853 at Bishop's Stortford in England. He was a
pastor's son who came to South Africa for health reasons. A successful diamond miner, he
went into Cape politics by 1880, invested in the newly-discovered South African gold
fields and subsequently amassed a vast personal fortune, becoming one of the most powerful
men on the subcontinent. He died on 26.03.1902 at Muizenberg in South Africa.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS POL
Namibia National Archives Database
000637
Riarua, Ovaherero Chief
[Amadamap - Nama name]
*
+ 31.05.1899
---
Riarua (Amadamap - Nama name) was Maharero's (Kamaharero) advisor. On 23.08.1880 a
new 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"), Maharero's advisor,
received orders to repel the expected Nama attack. 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. 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 Nama community of the Groot
Doden. The Groot Doden were defeated and dispersed (last descendants live to-day in the
area of Schlip). After the death of Maharero (Kamaharero) in 1890, Samuel Maharero was
recognised by the German authorities as supreme Ovaherero leader on 03.08.1891. This was
not accepted by other Ovaherero leaders, such as Manasse Tyiseseta of Omaruru, Kandji
Tjetjo of Owikokorero and the Ovambanderu leader Kahimemua Nguvauva, as well as Riarua,
Maharero’s former advisor. In April 1894 Chief Kambazembi of the Waterberg attempted
to reconcile Nikodemus Kavikunua and Chief Riarua with Samuel Maharero. He was not
successful. Riarua in alliance with Kandji Tjetjo even raided Samuel’s cattle posts.
However, in June 1894 Theodor Leutwein took Samuel Maharero’s side, stripping Riarua
of all authority during negotiations at Okahandja. On 18.05.1895 Leutwein, Samuel Maharero
and Riarua met the Ovaherero chiefs Kavikunua and Kahimemua at Otjinauanaua. An agreement
was reached which eventually led to the downfall of Nikodemus and Kahimemua in 1896. On
31.05.1899 Riarua (Amadamap) died.
---
Gender: m
Children: Assa Riarua
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000593
Riarua, Asser, Ovaherero Chief
[Riarua, Assa]
* ca.1856
+ .1904 (?) in the Omaheke (?)
---
Asser Riarua was born around 1856. He was the son of Riarua and Nandaura. He was a famous
Ovaherero military leader whose bravery on the battlefield was combined with
highly-respected skills of negotiation and mediation. For instance, on 05.07.1892 Ovaherero and Ovambanderu under the leadership of Assa 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 not
followed up by the German authorities, and Samuel Maharero’s faith in the Germans was
badly shaken. He defended himself against the racist attitude of German settlers and, for
instance, reported that he was roughly evicted from a bakery in Windhoek. He participated
in the German Ovaherero War of 1904-1908. He tried to safeguard German settler women and
children. As an example on 14.01.1904, shortly after the outbreak of the war, he allowed
missionary Eich with his small party of German women and children safe passage from
Waterberg to Okahandja, with the approval of Samuel Maharero. Other headmen such as
Michael Tyiseseta, Ouandja and David Kambazembi agreed to the safe passage. After the
Waterberg Battle in August 1904, he assembled with other Ovaherero leaders at Osombo
Onjatu at the Eiseb omuramba, on his way into Bechuanaland. His further fate could
not be established.
---
Gender: m
Mother: Nandaura
Father: Riarua (Amadamap)
RAW DATA: Pool 1991; Heywood et al. 1992; Drechsler 1966:155, 351; Chronology of Namibian
History, 2003 (Dierks);
002082
Ribebe, Angelina Matumbo
[Hompa, traditional title]
*
+
---
In the Kavango, the Shambyu Queen Hompa Angelina Matumbo Ribebe rules since 1989.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000436
Richter, Dr.
*
First entry to Namibia: March 1893
---
Dr. Richter arrived as first professional doctor in German South West Africa in March
1893.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED
Profession: Medical doctor
RAW DATA: AHK 1982, p.33;
000261
Richter, Albertine
* .1806
+ 14.05.1882 at Wandsbeck, Germany
---
Albertine Richter was the wife of the late Wilhelm Richter, who worked most of his life as
the second in charge of the training institute of the Rhenish Missionary Society.
---
Gender: f
Married to: J. Heinrich Richter (1804-1845)
RAW DATA: Lau 1985:V1288; Faulenbach;
000281
Richter, J. Heinrich
* 11.12.1799 at Belleben/Mansfeld, Germany
+ 05.04.1847
---
Heinrich J. Richter was born on 11.12.1799 at Belleben/Mansfeld, Germany. He was a teacher
and director of the mission training institute from 1827 until 1847 and then director of
the Rhenish Missionary Society from 1842 until his death on 05.04.1847.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
Profession: Teacher
RAW DATA: Lau 1985:V1288; Vergissmeinnicht 1893:8;
000282
Richter, Traugott
*
+ .1880
---
Traugott Richter was a teacher who was sent to the South African Cape Colony by the
Rhenish Missionary Society. It appears that he was already at the Cape before 1877, as he
returned there during that year. In 1880, he was killed in Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
Profession: Teacher
Namibia National Archives Database
000283
Richter, Wilhelm
* .1804
+ 20.06.1845
---
Wilhelm Richter was born in 1804. He was employed by the Rhenish Missionary Society at the
Mission House from 01.09.1834. He worked for most of his life as the second-in-charge of
the training institute of the Rhenish Missionary Society in Germany. He died on
20.06.1845.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
Married to: Albertine Richter (1806-1882)
RAW DATA: Vergissmeinnicht 1893:137; Lau 1985:V1288; Kriele 1928:86;
000594
Ricketts, Edward
[Rickerts, Edward - alternative spelling]
[Rickets, Edward - alternative spelling]
[Rickett, Edward - alternative spelling]
[Rikkets, Edward - alternative spelling]
*
First entry to Namibia: 1853
---
Edward Ricketts, a "coloured" man, was a trader who was based at Tsub|Garis.
According to William Coates Palgrave, he came to
Namibia around 1853. His purchase of land from Moses Witbooi in 1886 was the only one that
was endorsed by Hendrik Witbooi. He died before 1896.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Ellen Ricketts
RAW DATA: NAN BKE 354 SPS.13; Quellen 17:16.7.1886, 13.1.1887; Bochert 1980:44;
000595
Ricketts, Ellen
[Rieth, Ellen - second married name]
*
---
Ellen Rickets was the wife of Edward Ricketts, a "coloured" man, and apparently
a trader in her own right. A widow, she married the German Unteroffizier Fritz Rieth in
1896. Both the Bethany people and Hendrik Witbooi sold land to her in settlement of debts
between 1894 and 1899 - the farms Ausis and Tsub|Garis (Voigtsgrund). However, under
German colonial law her property belonged to her husband and she was not even entitled to
inherit. Her husband died in 1910, a pauper with nothing but debts. Her further fate was
not traced.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Edward Ricketts
Fritz Rieth (-1910)
RAW DATA: NAN ZBU 1974 U.V.v.2; NAN NLA 107 R.12;
001794
Rickmann, Wilhelm
* .1869 in Germany
+ .1908
---
Veterinarian.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: VET
Profession: Veterinarian
RAW DATA: DSAB IV;
001795
Riechmann, Heinrich
* 03.06.1859 at Eikel, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1889
---
Heinrich Riechmann was a missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft. He came to
Namibia 1889. He was stationed in Franzfontein from 1891-.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married to: Hermine Riechmann, née Gudelius, married 1891-
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:125, 314;
000365
Rihs, Walter, Senior
*
First entry to Namibia: 1988
Last departure from Namibia: 1998
---
The Swiss national Walter Rihs Snr., together with his son Walter, set up fraudulent
businesses in Namibia which were linked to attempts by the Swiss arms dealer Juerg Jacomet
to dump nuclear waste in Namibia. Rihs and his wife were deported from Namibia in 1998.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Namibia National Archives Database
000366
Rihs, Walter, Junior
*
+ 25.04.1997
First entry to Namibia: 1988
---
The Swiss national Walter Rihs Jnr., together with his father Walter, set up fraudulent
businesses in Namibia which were linked to attempts by the Swiss arms dealer Juerg Jacomet
to dump nuclear waste in Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Namibia National Archives Database
002022
Rijkvoet, Carel Christoffel
*
First entry to Namibia: 29.09.1761
Last departure from Namibia: 09.02.1762
---
Carel Christoffel Rijkvoet was a participant of a land expedition from the Cape Colony to
Namibia from July 1761 until April 1762. The expedition consisted of its leader Hendrik
Hop, Surveyor Carel Frederik Brink, Naturalist Johan Andreas Auge, Carel Christoffel
Rijkvoet, scout Jacobus Coetzee and twelve other Cape burghers, as well as 68 Basters.
They crossed the Oranje River on 29.09.1761, visited Warmbad, travelled northwards up to
the Xamob (Löwen) River, and turned back on 09.12.1761. On 09.02.1762, they crossed the
Oranje on their way back.
---
Gender: m
Profession: Surgeon
RAW DATA: Esterhuyse 1968:6; Eveleigh pp.92ff; Tabler 1973:58-59;
001796
Riruako, Kuaima, Ovaherero Chief
* 24.04.1935 at Aminuis
---
Kuaima Riruako was born on 24.04.1935 at Aminuis. He is a relative of Hosea Kutako and a
great nephew of Maharero. He went to Standard 6 at the St. Barnabas School at the Old
Location in Windhoek. He received a US High School diploma and and a BA degree (Political
Science and Philosophy) from the New York University in the United States. He was a
founder member of the
National Unity Democratic Organisation (
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: TRA
Married: Contansia Veseevete, three children
RAW DATA: Panorama 85 (1978):19; SWA Annual 1979:157; Namibia Handbook and
Political Who's Who, 1990 (Pütz, Von Egidy and Caplan); Chronology of Namibian History,
2003 (Dierks);
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
001121
Rissik, Alec Elias
* 27.11.1906 at Middelburg, South Africa
---
Alec Elias Rissik was born on 27.11.1906 at Middelburg in South Africa. He was educated at
the Middelburg High School. He was an Attorney-at-Law and Notary Public at Keetmanshoop.
He became Senior Partner of Rissik Cox of Keetmanshoop and Karasburg. He was a Director of
Excelsior Holdings (Pty) Ltd and the Chairperson of the Keetmanshoop Ratepayers
Association.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW
Profession: Lawyer
Married to: Violet Maud Rissik, née Harris, married 1936-
Father: Solomon Rissik
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
000284
Ritter, Carl Gustav
* 25.04.1824 at Frankfurt, Germany
+ 23.09.1899 at Cape Town, South Africa
---
Carl Gustav Ritter was born on 25.04.1824 at Frankfurt in Germany. He was the treasurer of
the Rhenish Missionary Society who came to South Africa in 1866 and held the position
until 1875. In May 1867, he visited Otjimbingwe and other mission stations in the country
on an inspection tour. Although Ritter was responsible for the financial matters of the
Rhenish Missionary Society in southern Africa, missionary Carl Hugo Hahn felt that he
interfered too much in missionary work itself, and this also contributed to the fact that
Hahn eventually left the Society. He was married to Susanna Johanna Lückhoff, eldest
daughter of the Rhenish Missionary Paulus Daniel Lückhoff, on 03.12.1867. He died on
23.09.1899 at Cape Town.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Married to: Susanna Johanna Ritter, née Lückhoff (1841-), married 1867-
RAW DATA: Vergissmeinnicht 1893:45,122; Vedder 1985:499; Diehl 1973:188; v.Schumann;
Faulenbach;
001672
Ritter, Hermann
* 21.08.1873
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:79-80;
000285
Ritter, Susanne Johanna
* 28.02.1841 at Stellenbosch
---
Susanne Johanna Ritter was born on 28.02.1841 at Stellenbosch in South Africa. She was the
second child of Paulus Daniel Lückhoff, a missionary of the Rhenish Mission Society at
Stellenbosch. Married Carl Gustav Ritter on 03.12.1867.
---
Gender: f
Married to: Carl Gustav Ritter (1824-1899), married 1867
Father: Paulus Daniel Lückhoff (1803-1891)
Namibia National Archives Database
001797
Robb
*
---
Trader in Hereroland ca.1890.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
RAW DATA: Esterhuyse 1968:23;
001122
Robbertse, Joseph Jacobus
* 11.04.1925 at Naboomspruit, South Africa
---
Joseph Jacobus Robbertse was born on 11.04.1925 at Naboomspruit in South Africa. He was
educated at the Brixton Primary School and the Parktown Boys High School in Johannesburg.
He joined Nedbank in 1943. He was the Manager of Nedbank in Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Banker
Married to: Anne Robbertse, née van Greunen, married 1946-
Father: Joseph Jacobus Robbertse
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
001123
Robert, Alun
*
---
Alun Robert was a researcher and writer on Namibia. He specialised on the implementation
of UNCN Decree No. 1 on the Protection of Namibia's natural resources. He worked as
co-researcher for the UK Granada TV documentary "Follow the yellowcake road" and
wrote "The Rössing File".
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
000596
Robertson
[Robizoon - alternative spelling]
*
---
A 19th century trader associated with Robert Lewis.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
RAW DATA: Quellen 6:29.10.1891;
000077
Rodenwoldt, Volker
* 21.05.1919 at Grootfontein
+
---
Volker Rodenwoldt was born on 21.05.1919 in Grootfontein. He received his schooling in
Grootfontein and Windhoek (1938 Abitur). Between 1939 and 1946, during World War Two, he
was interned in Andalusia and Baviaanspoort in South Africa. He returned to Namibia in
1947 and became a businessman. He was the Mayor of Karibib from 1973-19??. He served as
Chairperson of the Deutscher Schulverein Karibib and was a promoter for German language
rights in Namibia. He was a founding member of the Interessengemeinschaft
Deutschsprachiger Südwester (IG).
---
Gender: m
Functions: Mayor - Karibib - 1973-19??
Married to: Irmgard Rodenwoldt, née Meyer
Namibia National Archives Database
001673
Röder, Kurt
* 09.08.1881
+ 19.10.1914 at Naulila, Angola
---
Kurt Röder was born on 09.08.1881. He was a Schutztruppe soldier. He was killed at
Naulila in Angola by Portuguese forces on 19.10.1914.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:114;
001674
Rogge, Johannes
* 25.08.1865
+ 01.1905 in the Namib Desert
---
Johannes Rogge was born on 25.08.1865. He was a Schutztruppe officer. He died of exposure
in the Namib Desert in January 1905.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:220;
001798
Rohden, Ludwig von
[Rhoden - faulty spelling]
* in Germany
---
Fourth mission inspector of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Namibia National Archives Database
001124
Rohrbach, Paul
* 29.06.1869 at Irgen, Latvia
+ .1956 in Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1903
---
Paul Rohrbach was born on 29.06.1869 at Irgen in Latvia. He was a traveller, theologian,
journalist, writer of travelogues, and German chauvinist political essays. He was sent to
German South-West Africa as Government Commissioner for settlement in 1903. He took part
in the 1904 German Ovaherero War, and was then tasked to chair the commission to determine
damage payments to settlers after the war. He died in 1956 in Germany.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: WRI
Profession: Writer
Collections/Papers:
1 (Main part of personal papers apparently lost in World War II)
2). Bundesarchiv Koblenz: Kleine Erwerbungen (Remaining papers, 1915-1954)
3). Bundesarchiv Berlin (Personalakten)
4). Personenarchiv des HWWA (material about R.)
5). Familienarchiv
RAW DATA: Mommsen 1,I; Dt.Koloniallexikon; Drechsler 1966:17, 11411, 147, 156, 295,
314-315, 325-326, 329, 345, 347-348, 350-352, 354-355;
001799
Roiha, Yrjö
* in Finland
---
Finnish missionary.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Namibia National Archives Database
001800
Rolfs, Abraham
[Rolf, Abraham - alternative spelling]
*
+ .1909 in Namibia
---
Abraham Rolfs was a subcommander of Jakob Marengo. In December
1908, a Bondelswart unit was established under his command. Rolf resumed the struggle
against German colonialism and undertook several successful raids against German farms in
Namaland. The Germans under the command of Major Baerecke tried to pursue Rolf. At the
beginning of January 1909, faced with overwhelming German superiority (Major Baerecke),
the Bondelswart unit under the command of Abraham Rolf crossed the Oranje River and
withdrew to British-ruled territory. On crossing the border they told a British police
officer that "they would surrender to the Cape Government if they are given
assurances that they would not be extradited. Otherwise they would fight to the
last". During the middle of 1909 and after German-British negotiations, the
Bondelswart unit under the command of Abraham Rolf who had surrendered to the British
authorities in South Africa at the beginning of the year, was turned over to the Germans.
Of the ten Nama, six, including Abraham Rolf, were sentenced to death (they were publicly
executed in Keetmanshoop) while four were condemned to life imprisonment and ordered to be
kept in chains. Additionally, each of the condemned was given 100 lashes with the whip.
However, the four Nama who had been given life sentences managed to escape from jail in
Karibib in December 1909.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:271-272, 360; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
001125
Roll, Johannes Richard Gunter
* 04.10.1905 in Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1931
---
Johannes Richard Gunter Roll was born on 04.10.1905 in Germany. He was educated at the
Realgymnasium Dresden. He came to Namibia in 1931. He was a businessman and Director of
the Hotel Fürstenhof, S.S.A Fibre (Pty) Ltd., Platex (Pty) Ltd., Durwin Estates,
Priflinger & Roll and Spil (Pty) Ltd. He served as President of the Rotary Club, the
Windhoek Chamber of Commerce and served as Chairperson of the Institute of Estate Agents
and Auctioneers SWA Branch.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Margarethe Roll, née Ahrens, married 1935
Father: Richard Roll
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
000619
Römer, Ernst
* 07.07.1884 at Biebrich, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1912
---
Ernst Römer was born on 07.07.1884 at Biebrich in Germany. He came to Namibia in 1912. He
served as "Hausvater" of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft in Otjimbingwe.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Married to: Rosa Römer, née Huppert, married 1913-
Namibia National Archives Database
000526
Rooman, Abraham
*
---
One of the Witboois who left Gibeon with Hendrik Witbooi in 1884.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Quellen 17;
000597
Rooman, Nikolaas
[|Khobeb - Nama name]
*
---
According to Budack (1972:164), Nikolaas Roman's Nama name was |Khobeb. He married Alwina
Byl or !Oses. Obviously the Roomans were a large and respected Witbooi family, closely
attached to the Rhenish Mission. It seems that they originally came from Berseba. However,
the name has also been traced in Little Namaqualand.
---
Gender: m
Married to: Alwina Rooman, née Byl
RAW DATA: Cape Archives 1/SBK, 1855; Quellen 16:25.11.1868;
000598
Rooman, Ruben
*
---
Ruben Rooman was a church elder at Gibeon, together with Hendrik Witbooi. In 1884 he came
to share the missionaries' condemnation of Hendrik Witbooi and heavily criticised him when
Witbooi finally left Gibeon in 1885. Ruben remained the pillar of Rhenish Missionary
Heinrich Gottlieb Friedrich Rust's efforts among the small remaining congregation, despite
his apparently very unsettled domestic life. When the Gibeon mission station was dissolved
in 1887, Ruben stayed on, in charge of the mission buildings.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Quellen 17:15.3.1883, 22.11.1884, 17.1.1885, 11.11.1887;
001126
Roos, Gendrick Petrus Coetzee
* 04.03.1911 at Kimberley, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1950
---
Gendrick Petrus Coetzee Roos was born on 04.03.1911 at Kimberley in South Africa. He was
educated at the Kimberley High School. He came to Namibia in 1950. He was the Organising
Manager of the African Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (SWA).
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001127
Roos, Johannes Stefanus
* 21.02.1927 at Bloemhof, South Africa
---
Johannes Stefanus Roos was born on 21.02.1927 at Bloemhof in South Africa. He was educated
at the Christiana High School and the Pretoria University. He was a businessman. He served
as Director and General Manager of Barswa Motors and as Director of Barlows SWA Ltd.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Elizabeth Margaretha Roos, née Potgieter, married 1952-
Father: Johannes Stefanus Roos
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
001801
Roos, T.
*
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
001128
Rossouw, Francois Marthinus
* 05.08.1937 at Paarl, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1962
---
Francois Marthinus Rossouw was born on 05.08.1937 at Paarl in South Africa. He was
educated at the Paarl Gymnasium and the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria. He
came to Namibia during 1962 as manager of the Walvis Bay office of E.R. Syfret Co. (until
1968). He was a businessman with interests in various fishing and canning companies.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Rita Rossouw, née van der Merwe, married 1960-
Father: Francois Jacobus Rossouw
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
000078
Rother, Friedel
* .1915 at Moshi, Tanzania
+ 31.01.2004 at Windhoek
---
Friedel Rother was born in 1915 in Moshi in Tanzania of German parents. She received her
schooling in Germany. From 1936 to 1939 she was trained as a nurse in Weimar. She served
as a nurse during World War Two and worked in various German hospitals. She was qualified
as a midwife in Göttingen (1949). From 1950 until 1954 she was a midwife in the
Elisabeth-Haus in Windhoek. She returned to Germany. In 1963 she became the head nurse of
the Universitäts-Frauenklinik in Marburg. She served on various international missions.
From 1969 until 1981 she wa the head nurse in the Elisabeth-Haus in Windhoek. In 1981 she
retired in Windhoek. She died on 31.01.2004 in the Susanne Grau Old Age Home at Windhoek.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: ME
Profession: Midwife
Namibia National Archives Database
001675
Rothmaler, Werner
* 21.01.1877
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:230-231, 247;
000079
Rotmann, Klaus Wolfgang Gerhard
* 04.10.1945 at Osnabrück, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1950
---
Klaus Wolfgang Gerhard Rotmann was born on 04.10.1945 at Osnabrück in Germany. He came to
Namibia with his parents in 1950. He received his schooling at the Deutsche Schule
Lüderitzbucht. He studied medicine in Pretoria 1964/65. He received from 1966 to 1968
commercial training in Johannesburg. He completed further studies at the University of
South Africa (UNISA) (B.Com.Hons.). Since 1973 he was the Managing Director of the TAURUS
group of companies. He is married to Gisela (née Kiesbauer).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BU
Profession: Businessman
Functions: Managing Director - TAURUS
Married to: Gisela Rotmann, née Kiesbauer
Namibia National Archives Database
002068
Rukonga, Mbukushu Queen
*
+ before 1850
---
In the Kavango, one of the earliest known Mbukushu Queens was Rukonga. She was the seventh
in the recorded genealogy of the Mbukushu kings and queens. She succeeded King Mbungu. No
life dates could be traced so far. Successor was King Diyeve I (before 1850).
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
002323
Rukoro, Vekuii Reinhard
* 11.11.1954 at Otjiwarongo
---
Vekuii Reinhard Rukoro was born on 11.11.1954 at Otjiwarongo. He received his primary
schooling at Swakopmund and the Goas Primary School at Karibib. He matriculated at the
Döbra Training College near Windhoek in 1974. He worked as Law Clerk for Lorentz &
Bone Attorneys in Windhoek in 1975/76. Rukoro was a founding president of the Namibia
Black Students Organisation in 1975. He joined the South West
Africa National Union (SWANU) in 1975. He was co-opted as Deputy
Secretary-General of SWANU in the same year. He headed the Adult Education Centre of the
Christian Centre - later the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) - from 1976 until 1978.
From 1978 until 1980 he was the full time Namibia National Front (NNF) Secretary for
Information and Publicity. While in the NNF he travelled widely in Europe and the United
States of America holding talks with, among others, David Owen, Lord Carrington, Cyrus
Vance, Andrew Young, Kurt Waldheim, P.W. Botha and Kenneth Kaunda. He was the SWANU
Secretary-General from 1976 until 1980 when he resigned from this position. He was a
member of the SWANU delegations during the 1978/79 negotiations with the Western Five
Contact Group in New York and Geneva. He left Namibia in 1980 to study law in the United
Kingdom. He received his LL.B. (Hons.) degree from the University of Warwick in the United
Kingdom in 1983. In 1984 he was called to the Bar of England and Wales. He returned to
Windhoek later that year as Director of the Legal Aid and Community Advice Bureau in
Windhoek and ran the SWANU office until 1986. He was re-elected to the position to
Secretary-General of SWANU in 1984 after the SWANU leadership had split. He was the SWANU
delegate to the 1986 |Ai||gams Conference. He was working on various human rights projects
- including Namibia and South Africa - for the International Rights Law Group in
Washington, DC, in 1987. He was an assistant to the Senior Legal Advisor in the UN Legal
Division in New York in 1987, which was mainly concerned with human rights in Namibia. He
was a lecturer of the Denison University Summer Programme for South African lawyers in the
USA in 1987. He obtained the Utter Barrister's Degree from the Council of Legal Education
and Gray's Inn of Court in London in 1987. He received his LL.M. (International Law and
Human Rights Law) from the Washington College of Law at the American University in
Washington DC in 1987. Rukoro was elected as SWANU President in 1988 and as new NNF
President in 1989. In this position he was elected into the Constituent Assembly in 1989
where he played a leading role in drafting the Constitution for the Republic of Namibia.
He became a Member of the National Assembly in 1990, first for the NNF and later for
SWAPO. He remained in the National Assembly until 20.03.2000 when he returned to private
practice. On 21.03.1990 he was appointed as Deputy Minister for Justice and remained in
this position until 20.03.1995. On 21.03.1995 he was appointed as Namibia's Attorney
General, until 20.03.2000. After 2000 he became the Managing Director for Sanlam Namibia
and Chairman for Air Namibia. He resigned his position as Air
Namibia’s Chairman in July 2004.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL LAW
RAW DATA: Namibia Handbook and Political Who's Who, 1990 (Pütz, Von Egidy and Caplan);
Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000398
Rümann, Wilhelm
* .1881
---
Wilhelm Rümann joined the German navy during the 1890s. He served in Namibia in the 4th
field company under Ritter von Epp during the German Namibian War 1904-1905. During World
War I, he commanded a torpedo-boat flotilla and retired as Rear-Admiral. He joined the
Nazi party in 1930, and became the senior manager of the Reichskolonialbund in 1936.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Gann: Rulers;
001129
Rumpf, Wolfgang
* 29.12.1936 at Pirmasens, Germany
---
Wolfgang Rumpf was born on 29.12.1936 at Pirmasens in Germany. He studied forestry. He
received his doctorate in 1964 from the University in München. He was teaching at the
Fachhochschule Rheinland-Pfalz. Since 1980 he was a Member of the German Parliament for
the F.D.P. He was a staunch supporter of the South African attempts for an "internal
solution" in Namibia.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Kürschners Dt.Bundestag 1983;
001802
Runck
* in Germany
---
Distriktschef of Warmbad, 1907-1910 and of Gobabis, 1913-1915.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ADM
RAW DATA: Hubatsch;
001676
Runkel, Hermann
* 19.11.1879
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:138;
002324
Ruppel, Hartmut Friedrich Ernst
* 04.05.1954 at Hannover, Germany
---
Hartmut Friedrich Ernst Ruppel was born on 04.05.1954 at Hannover in Germany. He received
his schooling in Otjiwarongo and Windhoek. He obtained his B.A. and LL.B. from the
University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. He joined the SWAPO Party in the 1970s. After
his law studies he was an attorney with Lorentz and Bone in Windhoek. He was elected into
the Constituent Assembly in 1989 where he played a leading role in drafting the
Constitution for the Republic of Namibia. He was a Member of the National Assembly and
Namibia's Attorney General from 1990 until 1995. He is a Member of the Central Committee
of SWAPO. In 1995 he returned to private practice again and works with Lorentz and Bone in
Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL LAW
RAW DATA: WWSA 1995/96; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
001803
Rust, Friedrich (Jnr.)
* 04.05.1883 at Gibeon
+ 30.07.1977 at Bellville (South Africa)
---
Friedrich Rust (Jnr.) was born on 04.05.1883 at Gibeon. He was a missionary of the
Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft. He was sent to Namibia in 1912. He was stationed at
Keetmanshoop. He was married with Emma Rust, née Wandres on 20.07.1920 at Stellenbosch in
South Africa. He died on 30.07.1977 at Bellville in South Africa.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married: Emma Rust, née Wandres on 20.07.1920 at Stellenbosch in South Africa
Mother: Agnes Rust, née Sapel
Father: Heinrich Gottlieb Friedrich Rust (1850-1894)
RAW DATA: Erich Rust and Namibia National Archives Database
000080
Rust, Hans-Joachim, Dr.
* 24.11.1900 at Berlin, Germany
+ 10.08.1987 at Windhoek
First entry to Namibia: 1932
---
Hans-Joachim Rust was born on 24.11.1900 at Berlin in Germany. He studied various
disciplines. He was the editor of "Zeitschrift für Geopolitik" and visited
Namibia 1932/33. He was an assistant lecturer at the University Marburg
(Staatswissenschaftliches Seminar). He was then working for the
"Reichsarbeitsgemeinschaft für Raumforschung". He had his military service in
World War II, i.a. in the General Staff of German Air Force. He emigrated to Namibia in
1951, worked in the karakul trade and in the Department of Water Affairs, then for 19
years as Secretary of the SWA Scientific Society. He died on 10.08.1987 at Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Profession: Geographer
Functions: Secretary - SWA Scientific Society - 1960-1987
RAW DATA: Mitteilungen Nam.Sci.Soc. 43:7-12(2002):39;
000599
Rust, Heinrich Gottlieb Friedrich (Snr.)
* 23.02.1850 at near Lübbecke, Germany
+ 30.03.1894 at Gochas
---
Heinrich Gottlieb Friedrich Rust (Snr.) was born on 23.02.1850 near Lübbecke in Germany.
He was a missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft at Gibeon from 1879 (succeeding
Rhenish Missionary Olpp) until 1887. After the station was officially abandoned by the RMS
on 20.10.1887, he established a new mission station at Gochas on 30.06.1889, among
!Khara-khoen (Franzman Nama) Captain Simon Koper and his people. He died there five years
later in a fever epidemic on 30.03.1894.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married to: Agnes Rust, née Sapel, married 1881-
Children: Friedrich Rust (1883-)
RAW DATA: Quellen 17: Introduction; Vergissmeinnicht 1893:67;
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
001130
Ryan, Terence William
* 31.01.1913 at Pretoria, South Africa
---
Founder (1946) and managing director of Terry's Motors Ltd., Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Diana Ryan, née Thorpe, married 1938-
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
000034
Rylander, Berit
*
First entry to Namibia: 1990
Last departure from Namibia: 1995
---
Berit Rylander was SIDA programme officer in Angola, from 1985 to 1990, and was in this
position locally responsible for Swedish assistance for SWAPO. In 1990, she came to
Namibia and worked until 1995 as a foreign aid advisor to the National Planning
Commission. She accompanied her husband Sten Rylander, the Swedish Ambassador to Angola
and Namibia, respectively.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: DI
Functions: Programme Officer to Angola - SIDA - 1985-1990
Advisor on Development Cooperation - National Planning Commission - 1990-1995
Married to: Sten Rylander
Namibia National Archives Database
000033
Rylander, Sten
*
First entry to Namibia: 1990
Last departure from Namibia: 1995
---
Sten Rylander served as Swedish Ambassador to Angola from 1985 until 1990, were he was
involved in the negotiation process on Namibian independence and Cuban troop withdrawal.
He then came to Namibia as the first Swedish Ambassador from 1990 to 1995.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: DI
Profession: Diplomat
Functions: Ambassador to Namibia - Sweden - 1990-1995
Married to: Berit Rylander
Namibia National Archives Database
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