BIOGRAPHIES OF NAMIBIAN
PERSONALITIES
in alphabetical order
KLAUS DIERKS
Copyright © 2003-2004 Dr. Klaus Dierks
L
000993
Lafrenz, Edmund Georg Ludwig
* 13.08.1925 at Kiel, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1952
---
Edmund Georg Ludwig Lafrenz was born on 13.08.1925 at Kiel in Germany. He was educated at
Rendsburg and Eckernförde in Germany. He was a civil engineer by profession. He served in
the German Army during World War Two. He came to Namibia in 1952. He was a director of
various civil engineering, especially in the roads sector, companies.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS ENG
Profession: Civil Engineer Businessman
Married to: Lieselotte Lafrenz, née Müller, married 1957-
Father: E. Lafrenz
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
000226
Lambert, Amraal, Kai|khauan Captain (Khauas Nama)
[#Gai-|nub - Nama name]
[Lamberts, Amraal - alternative spelling]
* ca.1774 in the Clanwilliam District, South Africa
+ 13.02.1864 at Gobabis
First entry to Namibia: 1814
---
Amraal Lambert (1814-1864), the Kai|khauan Captain (Khauas-Nama), was born ca.1774 in the
Clanwilliam District in South Africa. He was a cousin of Jonker Afrikaner. His Nama name
was #Gai-|nub. He was the first in the recorded genealogy of the Kai|khauan captains. He
came to Namaland from the Cape Colony in 1814 together with London Missionary Johann
Heinrich Schmelen, who baptised him at Bethany in 1815, and stayed with Schmelen for ca.
14 years. He led the Orlam group which became known as Kai|khauan (later also called
"Khauas Nama"). In about 1840, he moved to Naosanabis (today Leonardville) with
his followers. In 1841 he concluded a peace treaty with the Kai||khaun leader, ||Oaseb.
However, Amraal abandoned the settlement of Naosanabis in 1855 and moved to Gobabis.
In January 1858 he was one of the signatories to the Peace Accord of Hoachanas. At the end
of the 1850s he was one of the allies of Jonker Afrikaner of the Orlam Afrikaners. During
a smallpox epidemic in 1864 he and most of his family died (Amraal Lambert died on
13.02.1864 at Gobabis). He was followed by Andreas Lambert !Nanib (1864-1894).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Functions: Captain - Kai|khauan 1814-1864
RAW DATA: P. Reiner 1992:423; Lau 1989:306; DSAB III:21-22; Chronology of Namibian
History, 2003 (Dierks);
000573
Lambert, Andreas, Kai|khauan Captain (Khauas Nama)
[Lamberts, Andries - alternative spelling]
[!Nanib - Nama name]
* ca. 1844
+ 08.03.1894 at Naosanabis (present-day Leonardville)
---
As a young man of 20, Andreas Lambert became the leader of the Kai|khauan, a then powerful
polity also referred to as the Gobabis people, Lambert's people, or Khauas Nama, when
Captain Amraal Lambert (#Gai-|nub)(1814-1864) and almost his entire family died of
smallpox in 1864. He was the second in the recorded genealogy of the Kai|khauan captains.
The Kai|khauan, occupying a strategic kind of "border post" on the main trade
route to Ngamiland, had a reputation for fierceness and, occasionally, recklessness.
Hendrik Witbooi's arms supply arrangements were partly based on Lambert's support, at
least from 1889. Lambert never signed a "protection treaty" with the Germans. He
was executed by Theodor Leutwein two months after the latter's arrival, on 08.03.1894 at
Naosanabis (present-day Leonardville), and replaced by his brother Eduard Lambert
(1894-1896). Claims of legality were maintained by a so-called "trial" listing
Lambert's "crimes". It is clear from the records that Leutwein used the
opportunity to execute an example by pouncing upon a small and militarily weaker
community.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Functions: Kaptein - Kai¦khaun - 1864-1894
RAW DATA: Lau 1995:241; Bley 1971:10-11; Esterhuyse 1968:203-4; Drechsler 1966:86-87, 94;
Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000575
Lambert, Eduard, Kai|khauan Captain (Khauas Nama)
*
+ 06.04.1896 at Gobabis
---
Eduard Lambert was the brother and successor of Kai|khauan Captain Andreas Lambert
(!Nanib). When on 08.03.1894 German troops under the command of Theodor Leutwein executed
Andreas Lambert, they installed Eduard Lambert as new captain. He was the third and last
in the recorded genealogy of the Kai|khauan captains. He allied himself with Nikodemus
Kavikunua and the Ovambanderu community under Kahimemua Nguvauva in their uprising against
the Germans, and fell in the battle at Gobabis on 06.04.1896 (on the German side
Lieutenant Lampe fell). His death signalled the end of the Kai|khauan as a polity. The
survivors were captured, deported into a concentration camp in Windhoek, and expropriated.
Karl Dove wrote in the Deutsche Kolonialzeitung: "It can only be hoped, that the
Imperial Governor is not hesitating ... to bring all Khauas ... to the gallows".
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Functions: Captain - Kai|khauan - 1894-1896
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000574
Lambert, Jakob
*
---
At least two persons of this name were traced: one was at one stage closely attached to
the congregation at Bethany, while the other was one of Andreas Lambert's men, a
'veldkornet' at Gobabis in 1880. The Lambert mentioned in Witbooi's journal (diary entry
15.10.1888-10.08.1889) seems to have been the latter.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001633
Lang, Ferdinand
* 24.05.1862 at Nümbrecht/Köln, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1891
---
Ferdinand Lang was born on 24.05.1862 at Nümbrecht/Köln in Germany. He was a missionary
of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft, sent to Namibia in 1891. He was stationed at
Otjihaenena, later at Tsumeb where he operated the mission press.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary Printer
Married to: Maria Lang, née Müller, married 1893-
Namibia National Archives Database
001634
Lange, Ms.
*
---
Ms. Lange was a farmer's wife from Klein-Barmen. She was alleged to have been killed in
the German-Ovaherero War 1904 by Ovaherero soldiers, an atrocity story which was later
found untrue.
---
Gender: f
Married to: Charlotte Krenz, née Nickel, married 1928-
Mother: Mary Francis Krenz, née Talbot-Bowe
Father: Friedrich Krenz
RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:170;
002038
Langenhorn
*
---
Trader's assistant working for Andersson in 1861.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:66;
000994
Langlet, Joachim-Friedrich, Prof.
*
+ 02.09.1979 in Germany
---
Joachim-Friedrich Langlet served as a managing director of SWA Karakul Breeders
Association from 1937 to 1940. Later he became professor of animal breeding at the Kiel
University in Germany and was active in the Deutsch-Südafrikanische Gesellschaft. He died
on 02.09.1979 in Germany.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Afrika-Post 1/1980;
002039
Larsen, Hans
* in Denmark
First entry to Namibia: 1843
Last departure from Namibia: 1852
---
Hans Larsen was a hunter, trader and farmer. He was a Danish sailor who left his ship at
Walvis Bay in 1843 and entered the service of the firm Dixon and Morris. Afterwards he
became a freelance hunter, trader and cattle farmer. He acted as transport manager for
Galton. He went with Allen and Andersson overland to Cape Town with their livestock in
1852, and from there in 1853 left for Australia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:66-67;
000995
Lategan, W.J.
* 25.06.1901 at Vredendal, South Africa
---
W.J. Lategan was born on 25.06.1901 at Vredendal in South Africa. He was educated in
Vanrhijnsdorp in the Cape Colony. He had his military service during World War Two. He was
a Member of the Executive Committees of the V.N.S.W. Party and of the SWA Landbou Unie.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: AGR POL
Profession: Farmer Politician
Married to: Aletta Johanna Lategan, née Mostert, married 1928-
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
002040
Latham, Ms.
*
First entry to Namibia: 12.1843
---
Ms. Latham was the eldest daughter of trader Dixon, she came with him to Namibia across
the Oranje River in 1843. She married his employee William Latham around 1846.
---
Gender: f
Married to: William Latham
Father: Peter Dixon
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:67;
000227
Latham, William
*
First entry to Namibia: 1845
---
William Latham was a trader, farmer and fisherman who came to Namibia from Britain around
1845. He worked for the trader Peter Dixon at Sandfontein, and married his eldest
daughter. Aaron de Pass had commenced fishing operations at Walvis Bay in 1852, while
Barry Munnik from Cape Town had established himself in this industry in early 1859.
William Latham was fishing there in the 1860s. The fish was generally dried and then
exported to Mauritius. Owing to the inadequate infrastructure, there was too much sand in
the dried fish. As a result the prices received for the final fish product were so low
that the venture did not prove economically feasible. Small-scale fishing operations and
whaling did, however, continue. Aaron de Pass was married to Esther da Costa. Later,
Latham was employed by Charles John Andersson. During the 1860s, he participated in
military and political actions against the Orlam Afrikaners, and suffered considerable
losses as a result.
---
Gender: m
Married to: ? Latham, née Dixon, married 1846?-
Namibia National Archives Database
000379
Latvio, Ilenikelao Nhinda
* 01.04.1960 at Engela
+ 28.06.2000 at London, UK
---
Ilenikelao Nhinda Latvio was born on 01.04.1960 at Engela. In the early 1990s, he was a
controversial figure on the Namibian political scene after launching a short-lived party
dedicated to women's issues called Namibia Women Action for Equality Party (Nawafep). She
died on 28.06.2000 while studying in London in the United Kingdom.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: POL
Namibia National Archives Database
001062
Lau, Brigitte
* in Germany
+ 02.11.1996 near Wilhelmstal
---
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: HIS
Profession: Historian
Mother: Leonore Lau
Father: Hans Lau (-1996)
000996
Laubscher, Gideon Johannes Christiaan
* 26.08.1924 in the Clanwilliam District, South Africa
---
Gideon Johannes Christiaan Laubscher was born on 26.08.1924 in the Clanwilliam District in
South Africa. He was educated at the Clanwilliam High School and Stellenbosch University.
He was a Chartered Accountant. He came to Namibia on 01.04.1954. He was the Secretary to
the Boere Finansierings Korporasie, Damara Meat Packers, Apex Slaghuise and Ossa Bonemeal
Factory.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman
Father: Jacobus Martin Laubscher
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
000997
Laubscher, Heleon Hendrikus
* 29.12.1929 at Vredenburg, South Africa
---
Heleon Hendrikus Laubscher was born on 29.12.1929 at Vredenburg in South Africa. He was
educated at the Vredenburg High School and the University of Cape Town (M.B., Ch.B.). He
came to Namibia in 1954. He was a part-time Military Officer at the Walvis Bay Military
Base from 1961 onwards. He was a part-time Medical Superintendent at the Walvis Bay State
Hospital from 1965 to 1972. He was a Councillor in the Walvis Bay Municipality from 1967-
and Mayor of Walvis Bay from 1970 to 1974.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED POL
Profession: Medical doctor
Functions: Mayor - Walvis Bay - 1970-1974
Councillor - Walvis Bay
Married to: Lourina Laubscher, née Neethling, married 1953-
Father: Jacob Laubscher
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
001635
Lauenstein, Dieter, Dr.
*
---
Dieter Lauenstein was a wealthy conservative German philosopher. He bought the German
daily "Allgemeine Zeitung" in 1978 with financial backing from the German CSU
Party (Hanns-Seidel Foundation) and ousted its editor Kurt Dahlmann in order to bring the
newspaper on a more conservative, pro-South African, pro-Apartheid and anti-Independence
course.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001636
Laurmaa, Erkki
[Lehto, Erkki]
* in Finland
---
Finnish missionary.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Namibia National Archives Database
002041
Lawton, Thomas
*
First entry to Namibia: 1845
Last departure from Namibia: 1846
---
Thomas Lawton was a Cape Town-based merchant who backed the trading ventures of Dixon and
Morris in Namibia between 1843 and 1850. He went to Namibia himself in 1845-46.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:67-68;
001002
Le Roex, Henry Denyssen, Dr.
* 06.11.1916 at Labasa, Fiji
First entry to Namibia: 1967
---
Henry Denyssen Le Roex was born on 06.11.1916 at Labasa on the Fiji Island. He was
educated at the Grey College Bloemfontein, the UNISA and the University of Pretoria in
South Africa. He was a geologist. He came to Namibia in 1967.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Profession: Geologist
Married to: Aline Dennis Le Roex, née Miller, married 1949-
Father: F.W.J. Le Roex
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
000576
Lebe, Klaas
*
---
Klaas Lebe was a "Provisi onder-kaptein" of Hendrik Witbooi at Gibeon. The title
indicates that he had quartermaster functions at Gibeon similar to Keister's position at
Hoornkrans.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
000998
Lee, Richard Borshay, Prof. Dr.
*
---
Richard Borshay Lee was a professor of anthropology at the University of Toronto in
Canada. He researched among the !Kung San of Botswana and published extensively. He was a
co-founder of the Kalahari Peoples Fund (KPF) and of Anthropologists for Radical Political
Action (ARPA). He was active in the Toronto Committee for the Liberation of Southern
Africa (TCLSAC).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Namibia National Archives Database
002042
Leen, Carl L.
*
---
Carl L. Leen was a trader, probably a Swede, who had a store near Rautanen's mission in
Ondonga together with Carlsson in 1880.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:68;
001638
Lefebvre, Rolf
* 07.06.1887 in India
---
Rolf Lefebvre was born on 07.06.1887 in India. He was educated at the Victoria College in
Jersey in the United Kingdom. He came to South Africa in 1903. Later he served as a civil
servant in Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ADM
Married to: Caroline Lefebvre, née Herford, married 1915-
Father: P. Horton Lefebvre
RAW DATA: WWSA 1929/30;
001639
Lehmann, F. Rudolf, Prof.
* in Germany
---
Served 1946-1949 as government ethnologist in Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Profession: Ethnologist
Namibia National Archives Database
001640
Leipoldt, Wilhelm
* 24.09.1794 at Elberfeld, Germany
+ 05.02.1842 at Elberfeld, Germany
---
Wilhelm Leipoldt was born on 24.09.1794 at Elberfeld in Germany. He was a founding member
and director of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft, 1828-1842. He died on 05.02.1842 at
Elberfeld.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Namibia National Archives Database
001642
Lemke, Bruno
[Ngovo - other name]
*
---
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
000876
Lemmer, Cecil Joseph Cloete, Dr.
* .1900 at Bloemfontein, South Africa
+ 29.12.1955 at Johannesburg, South Africa
---
Cecil Joseph Cloete Lemmer was born in 1900 at Bloemfontein in South Africa. He was
educated at the Grey University College in South Africa. He was a teacher and later an
Inspector of Schools. He was the editor of Educa from 1933-. He was a founding member of
the SWA Scientific Society, served as its secretary and as President from 1937 until 1939.
He was a founder and first chairman of the SWA Monuments Commission from 1949-. He
retired in 1955 and died in the same year [?]. He was a collector of books and manuscripts
on Namibian history, and his material - among it autographs of Namibian leaders such as
Hendrik Witbooi - was purchased from the family for the National Archives of Namibia where
it is preserved as "Lemmer Collection".
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
Profession: Teacher
Functions: Chairman - Monuments Commission - 1949-
President - SWA Scientific Society - 1937-1939
Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: A.23 (Newspaper cuttings, manuscripts, minutes and correspondence of the
Historical Monuments Commission 1951-1952, Minutes of SWA Place Names Committee 1954)
RAW DATA: Mitt.NWG 43,4-6;
000999
Lennox, George St. Leger Gordon
[Smith, Scotty - alias]
*
---
George St. Leger Gordon Lennox was a trader in South Africa and British Bechuanaland. He
was allegedly involved in gunrunning for Hendrik Witbooi and Jakob Marengo during the
German Namibian War between 1903 and 1908.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: DSAB I,470; Standard Encyclopedia of Southern Africa ed.6, p.584; F.C.
Metrovich: Scotty Smith;
001000
Lenssen-Erz, Tilman, Dr.
* .1955 in Germany
---
Tilman Lenssen-Erz was born in 1955 in Germany. He is an Africanist and pre-historian.
Since 1986 he is the compiler of the monograph series "The rock paintings of the
Upper Brandberg" at the Heinrich-Barth-Institut of the University of Cologne in
Germany. He undertook numerous research visits to Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Profession: Archaeologist
Married to: Marie-Theres Erz
Namibia National Archives Database
001001
Lenz, Friedrich
* 09.11.1846 at Pflugrade, Pomerania, Germany (Now: Poland)
---
Friedrich Lenz was born on 09.11.1846 at Pflugrade, Pomerania in Germany (Now: Poland). As
a managing director of the firm Lenz and Company and chairman of the board of the Deutsche
Kolonial Eisenbahn Bau und Betriebs-Gesellschaft (D.K.E.B.B.G.), he directed the
construction of the Lüderitzbucht-Aus, Aus-Keetmanshoop, Seeheim-Kalkfontein Süd and
Keetmanshoop-Narib (where the North-South railway line from Keetmanshoop met the northern
section which was built from Windhoek to Narib by the Bau- und Betriebskonsortium
Bachstein and Koppel between 1910 and 1912) railways in Namibia from 1906 to 1911.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Dt. Koloniallexikon;
000275
Leutwein, Theodor Gotthilf
* 09.05.1849 at Strümpfelbronn, Germany
+ 13.04.1921 at Freiburg, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1894
Last departure from Namibia: 1905
---
Theodor Gotthilf Leutwein was born on 09.05.1849 at Strümpfelbronn in Germany. He was a
pastor's son. In February 1868 he joined the Prussian Army, where he was promoted to
Second Lieutenant (15.10.1869), Lieutenant (12.04.1877), Captain (15.01.1884), Major
(27.01.1893), Lieutenant-Colonel (22.05.1899), Colonel (16.06.1901), and Major-General
(22.04.1905). During this period he served in various regiments but also attended the
Military Academy in Berlin, and tutored at a military college in Freiburg. In November
1893 Leutwein was seconded to the German Foreign Office and sent to German South West
Africa, officially to "report" but, unofficially, to take over from Kurt von
François. On 31.12.1893/01.01.1894 he arrived in the Protectorate. He was nominated as Landeshauptmann of the colony (By Imperial Order he was
appointed as "Governor" on 18.04.1898). After Von Francois left the territory in
August 1894, he also became the commander of the Schutztruppe. His task was to
ensure "colonialism without bloodshed". Leutwein established a decentralised
administration and opened three regional offices in Windhoek (Friedrich von Lindequist,
also responsible for Otjimbingwe), Otjimbingwe and Keetmanshoop (Gustav Duft and later
Golinelli). In January 1894 he 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. In February 1894 he met Samuel Maharero in Okahandja for the
first time. On 24.02.1894 Leutwein and Von Francois attacked the Khauas Nama at Aais
(confluence of White Nossob and Black Nossob Rivers) and Naosanabis (present-day
Leonardville) on the Nossob River and forced them into subjugation. On
19.03.1894 the Khauas Nama Chief Andreas Lambert (!Nanib) was
executed after a court-martial trial on order of Leutwein. The reason was that he - like
Hendrik Witbooi - refused to sign a protection treaty with the Germans. Eduard Lambert
succeeded him and was forced to sign a protection treaty with the Germans on 20.03. Leutwein's
first main achievement was a military campaign against Hendrik Witbooi. On 27.08.1894 he attacked the Witbooi Nama under Hendrik Witbooi in the Naukluft Mountains. After
the Naukluft Battle both armies were exhausted. The Germans suffered many casualties (27%
losses). Leutwein noted that strategically little had been won. The Witbooi force was
inside the mountain and the Germans were outside when Witbooi offered a conditional
surrender which Leutwein immediately accepted. A protection treaty was signed 13 days
later. The Witboois were allowed to possess arms and have a certain degree of autonomy.
The treaty was respected for 10 years in which Witbooi recognised German
suzerainty. 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. Four days later, the Dama leader Cornelius ||Goreseb was installed by
Leutwein as the first paramount chief of the Dama (Berg Damara) in Okombahe in order to
weaken the Ovaherero position of Manasse of Omaruru. The Ovaherero leader at Okombahe,
Daniel Kariko, was deposed from his position as chief. Later differences between Kariko
and Manasse Tyiseseta were exploited by Leutwein and led to the complete downfall of
Kariko in 1896. On 06.12.1894 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. On
22.12.1894 Samuel Maharero requested Leutwein to shift the southern border. A serious
clash of interests between the Ovaherero and Germans was inevitable. It was only a
question of time. In January 1895 Leutwein led a "punitive expedition" in
alliance with Hendrik Witbooi against the Khauas and Fransman Nama and later the
Bondelswarts in the south, which led to the defeat of all these groups. The expedition
against the Khauas Nama was provoked by a German patrol (under the command of the Aais
station commander, Bohr) which had killed three unarmed Khauas Nama at Aais (13.09.1894).
On 15.06.1895 Leutwein concluded a treaty with Ovambanderu Chief Nikodemus Kavikunua which
enforced harsh border control between Ovambanderu and German settler areas. Kavikunua
sought a closer relationship with Samuel Maharero, thus breaking with his college,
Kahimemua Nguvauva. 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 27.08.1895
Leutwein concluded a treaty with Samuel Maharero at Grootfontein for the establishment of
the northern border of Hereroland. During April 1896 a confrontation relating to the
treatment of Namibian indigenes ensued between Leutwein and the Rhenish Missionary
Friedrich Wilhelm Gottlieb Viehe. Leutwein expressed that "if a Negro has done wrong,
forceful action is of more use than too much mildness." 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 Ovambanderu chiefs. In the ensuing war between
Germans and Ovambanderu, 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 many 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 who were the allies of the Ovambanderu,
ceased to exist as a political entity. All surviving Khauas Nama were taken to Windhoek
where they are placed in a concentration camp and are 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. In 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. Amongst the German settlers, the
most important impact of the rinderpest was that they gained access to land which had
hitherto been inaccessible to them. The German punitive measures against those who were
accused of having "revolted" in 1896, together with the rinderpest, depleted the
cattle herds along the White Nossob and Seeis rivers to such an extent that large parts of
Hereroland were left open and ungrazed. Consequent high prices for beef encouraged German
farmers to go into stock farming. A further consequence of the rinderpest epidemic was the
near collapse of the freight transport between the coast and the inland. The authorities
therefore agreed to build a railway line between Swakopmund and Windhoek. With assistance
of the colonial director Oswald von Richthofen and the commander of the Military Railway
Brigade in Berlin, Nonus von Rössing, the beginning of the construction of the railway
project was initiated for the same year. Not only economic but also political arguments
initiated the development of railways in SWA. Already in 1896 Leutwein wrote to the German
Chancellor: "not the unlimited increase of the Schutztruppe but the construction of
railway lines" should be used to strengthen the German power base in the colonies. In
November 1899 a quarrel broke out between Samuel Maharero and Michael, son of Manasse
Tyiseseta of Omaruru. Leutwein intervened and explained that Samuel had no direct
authority over Michael’s people. It became now clear that the German authorities only
supported Samuel against his fellow Ovaherero leaders as long as it suited German
interests. In February 1901 the Rhenish Mission Inspector Schreiber asked for the
establishment of "native reserves" in Hereroland. Leutwein, however, was not in
favour of this. In February 1902, Leutwein still not in a hurry to establish "native
reserves" in Hereroland, gave orders to investigate the possibilities for reserves in
the Windhoek, Omaruru, Karibib and Gobabis districts. 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. 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 on 25.10.1903. The Bondelswarts rose 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. Leutwein issued a decree, placing a reward of 500 marks for
the capture of every Bondelswart involved in the shoot-out, and a reward of 2 000 marks
for "whoever brings in the head of the new captain." The Bondelswart Uprising of
1903 marked the beginning of the devastating German Namibian War from 1903 to 1908, and in
isolated cases until 1913, with the tragic consequences for the Namibian nation.
During his ten years of effective colonial leadership, Leutwein established the administrative and economic infrastructure of the new settler colony. His policies against the African population, called the "Leutwein System" and characterised by a mixture of diplomacy, divide-and-rule and military coercion, were heavily criticised by settlers in his own time as being too lenient against "the natives". In 1904, the Ovaherero and Nama wars marked both the collapse of Leutwein's government policies, as well as the end of his career.
During the middle of 1903 Leutwein personally intervened
in the Bondelswarts Uprising and travelled to Keetmanshoop. On 12.12.1903 Leutwein
mobilised troop reinforcements from Omaruru in order to wage a two-front war against the
Bondelswarts – a northern front under the command of Captain Joachim von Heydebreck
at Groendorn (also Wasserfall), west of the Great Karas Mountains, and a southern front at
the Oranje River under the command of Captain von Fiedler. These plans did not materialise
due to the outbreak of the Great Resistance War of the Ovaherero in January 1904. On
27.01.1904, in the Peace of Kalkfontein, Leutwein made peace with the Bondelswarts in
order to avoid a war on two fronts. Von Fiedler had to supervise the conditions of the
peace accord. Von Heydebreck did the same in the Great Karas Mountains. The Bondelswarts
had to hand over all their arms. From the Great Karas Mountains Von Heydebreck moved north
in order to join the war against the Ovaherero. On the way back he disarmed the Kai5khaun under Manasse !Noreseb from
Hoachanas who showed interest in joining the Ovaherero in their resistance war. The German
colonial forces established a strong military station at Hoachanas. After the outbreak of
the Nama-German War in October 1904 the Kai5khaun joined Hendrik Witbooi. After the defeat, the traditional ethnic structures
were disbanded and all communal land confiscated as punishment for the
"rebellion". Hoachanas ceased to exist as an important Nama community centre. On
11.02.1904 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 the middle of 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. Rhenish Missionary Kuhlmann managed to meet Samuel at Otjosonjati where
Samuel gave the impression that he would like to end the war. On 23.02.1904 Leutwein
warned against a policy of exterminating the Ovaherero. On 13.04.1904 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 decisions. However, on 19.04.1904, 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." At the end of
May 1904 Leutwein, shortly before the arrival of General Lothar von Trotha, 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. Leutwein was consequently dismissed as
commander of the Schutztruppe in June 1904, and as Governor towards the end of 1904, and
replaced by General von Trotha. He left German South West Africa in December 1904, spurned
by the majority of the settlers and disfavoured by the German Emperor Wilhelm II. In
August 1905 he retired and lived in southern Germany until his death. He was a supporter
of the "Nationalliberale Partei". In 1906, he published his autobiographical
"Elf Jahre als Gouverneur in Deutsch-Südwestafrika", a major historical source
on that period. He died on 13.04.1921 at Freiburg.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL ADM POL
Profession: Military officer
Functions: Landeshauptmann - Deutsch-Südwestafrika - 1895-
Gouverneur - Deutsch-Südwestafrika - -1905
Children: Paul Leutwein (1882-1956)
Collections/Papers:
1). Lost in private custody in Silesia during World War II (according to Mommsen 1,II);
destroyed in family custody around 1970 (according to Sudholt 1975)(main part of private
papers)
2). Bundesarchiv Koblenz: NL 145 (Remainder of personal papers as part of Nachlass Paul
Leutwein)
3). Bundesarchiv Lichterfelde: RKA Schutzgebietsakten DSWA (Personnel files)
RAW DATA: Gann: Rulers; Mommsen 1,II; Sudholt 1975; Drechsler 1966:passim; Hubatsch;
Fischer 1935:65, 69, 71, 88, 95, 124, 257; Hintrager 1955; Kosch. Bd.II:761; Dt.Biogr.Jb.
1927:183-187; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
001003
Leutwein, Paul, Dr.
* .1882 at Berlin, Germany
+ .1956
First entry to Namibia: 1903
Last departure from Namibia: 1904
---
Paul Leutwein was born in 1882 in Berlin in Germany. He was the son of Governor Theodor
Leutwein. He joined the Baden Army in Germany in 1901. 1903, while on a visit to Namibia,
he volunteered at the outbreak of the 1904 War and fought as lieutenant in the
Schutztruppe for German SWA. He returned to Germany by the end of 1904. He retired in 1908
and studied law (doctorate 1911). During 1918/19 he served in the counterrevolutionary
"Freikorps Lützow" in Berlin. He was a prolific colonial writer, active in the
Deutschnationale Volkspartei and in the German colonial movement. He founded and served as
President of the "Kolonialer Volksbund" from 1931 to 1936. He died in 1956.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL WRI
Profession: Military officer Writer
Married to: <1>? Leutwein
<2>Gertrud Leutwein
Father: Theodor Leutwein (1849-1921)
Collections/Papers:
1). Lost in private custody in Silesia during World War II (Personal papers including
diaries from his time in Namibia, extensive correspondence)
2). Bundesarchiv Koblenz (Personal papers, including manuscripts; files and
correspondence; photographs; fragments from his father's papers)
RAW DATA: Mommsen 1, II; AHK 1975:86-89;
001643
Levaillant, François
[Le Vaillant, François - alternative spelling]
* .1753
+ .1824
First entry to Namibia: 1783
Last departure from Namibia: 1783
---
François Levaillant was born in 1753. He was one of the earliest European travellers to
Namibia and the northern Cape, from 1781 to 1784. Although his presence in Namibia has
been questioned, as some of his accounts and maps look rather fictitious, there can be
little doubt that he actually crossed the Oranje River into Namibia. His superbly
illustrated books are one of the earliest published sources on the northern Cape and
southern Namibia, and remarkable for their appreciation of the African people and lack of
racial prejudice. He died in 1824.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001004
Levinson, Jack Louis
*
---
Jack Louis Levinson was a businessman with extensive interests in mining and finance. He
was a Director of SWA Lithium Mines and others. He was the husband of writer and arts
patron Olga Levinson.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman
Functions: Mayor - Windhoek - 1963-1965
Councillor - Windhoek City Council - 1955-
Married to: Olga May Levinson, née Cohen, married 1943-
Children: Orde Levinson
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959,1974;
000071
Levinson, Olga
[Cohen, Olga - birth name]
* in South Africa
+ in South Africa
---
Olga Levinson was born in Transvaal in South Africa. She studied English and Arts at the
Wits University in Johannesburg (BA). She was a Fellow and Licentiate of Dramatic Arts,
Trinity College (London). She moved to Windhoek in ??, where she lived in the Heynitzburg
Castle. As a wealthy patron of the arts, she was the "grande dame" of Windhoek's
high society from the 1950ies to the 1970ies. She was the author of numerous popular books
on history and art. From 1957 to 1976 she was the President of the Arts Association of
SWA. She initiated the building of the Theatre and Arts Gallery in Windhoek. From 1963 to
1965 she was the Mayoress of Windhoek. She was the founder of the "Cercle
Francais", founder member of SWAPAC and its chairperson for opera and ballet, board
member of the SWABC, founder member and board member of the !Kung San Foundation. She was
a freelance worker for the SABC ("Woman's World" series), produced and directed
a film about the painter "Adolph Jentzsch" as well as a script for the film
"Diamonds in the desert". She was married to Jack Levinson. She moved back to
South Africa and died in ..., 19??.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: WRI ART
Functions: President - Arts Association of SWA - 1957-1976
Mayor - Windhoek - 1963-1965
Married to: Jack Louis Levinson, married 1943-
Father: Edward Cohen
Children: Orde Levinson
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;
002102
Lewanika, Lozi (Barotse) King
*
+ .1909
---
Lozi King Lewanika from the Barotse Kingdom in current-day Zambia (1864-1909) deposed
Kololo King Mbololo in 1864. 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). Lewanika appointed the Fwe (Mafwe)
Chief Simata Kabende (1864-1914) to administer the western areas of to-day's Caprivi
Strip. Simata got the honourary Lozi title Mamili. Mamili Simata Kabende
ruled the Caprivi Strip with inclusion of the Mafwe, Mayuni, Mayeyi, Totela and Mbukushu
communities under Lozi (also called Luyi people in the Luyana Kingdom) control, with the
capital Linyanti. Since Lewanika's time the Lozi language is spoken in many parts of the
Caprivi Strip, northern Botswana and western Zambia. In 1885 a conflict between 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. King Lewanika died in 1909.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000498
Lewis, Robert
* 06.1841 at London, England
+ .1894 at Rietfontein
First entry to Namibia: 1858
---
Robert Lewis was born in June 1841 at London in the United Kingdom. He came to Namibia in
1858 to hunt and trade. He worked with James Todd and De Pass, Spence Co. By 1868 he was
managing the Ebony Mine. In the 1870s and 1880s he traded in Otjimbingwe and became famous
as advisor and arms supplier to Maharero, who also gave him several mining concessions.
His anti-German feelings and intrigues in the 1880s made him a much-discussed man in
missionary and official German documents. After Germany has declared South West Africa its
protectorate, he agitated for the annexation of Hereroland by the Cape Colony. He was
deported by the German authorities in 1889. Coming from Bechuanaland on an arms trade
mission, he was killed in November or December 1894 at Rietfontein by a leopard he had
wounded. He was married to Mary Findon from Cape Town in approximately 1875. They had five
children.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Mary Lewis, née Findon, married 1975-
RAW DATA: P.Reiner 1992:424; Lau 1985:V1274; Lau 1989:307; Tabler 1973:68; Otto-Reiner
1991; Esterhuyse 1968:10, 12; Drechsler 1966:52-53, 55-56, 58, 62, 310, 333;
000383
Lichtenecker, Hans
* 26.01.1891
+ 25.01.1988 at Gotha, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1909
---
Hans Lichtenecker was born in Germany on 26.01.1891. He came to Namibia in 1909 as a farm
apprentice, and bought a farm at the Naukluft in 1914, but was repatriated to Germany in
1919. In 1931, he returned temporarily to Namibia to make plaster casts of the faces and
body parts of live persons, in particular San and Nama. This served the purposes of
physical anthropology and was done for the controversial anthropologist, Prof. Dr. Eugen
Fischer. Lichtenecker died on 25.01.1988 in Gotha in Germany. His anthropological
collection was purchased in 1980 by the State Museum (now National Museum) in Windhoek.
Other copies of his casts are held by the Namibia Scientific Society.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ART
Profession: Artist
RAW DATA: The inventory and correspondence regarding the museum acquisition should be
consulted!;
001005
Lichtman, Joseph Alexander, Dr.
* 15.01.1918 at Cape Town, South Africa
---
Joseph Alexander Lichtman was born on 15.01.1918 at Cape Town in South Africa. He was
educated at Colesburg and Cape Town. He was a medical doctor and district surgeon at
Outjo.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED
Profession: Medical doctor
Functions: District surgeon - Outjo
Married to: Stella Juliet Lichtman, née Shapiro, married 1946-
Father: Marks Lichtman
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959, 1974;
000757
Lidchi, Diane
[Kahan, Diane - birth name]
* .1931 at Aus
+ 25.07.2002 at Windhoek
---
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Maurice Lidchi
Mother: Clara Kahan
Father: Mose Kahan
RAW DATA: Obituary in The Namibian, 01.08.2002;
000845
Liebenberg, John
* at Johannesburg, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1979
---
John Liebenberg came to Namibia in 1979 in the employment of the postal service. He became
press photographer for "The Namibian". During the second half of the 1980s, his
powerful visual images became the most damning indictments against South African
colonialism, social conditions in Namibia, and the war in Angola. His photos made him
known and acclaimed world-wide, and their international impact can only be compared to
that of John Muafangejo. In the 1990s, he returned to Johannesburg, where he lives as a
free-lance photographer.
---
Gender: m
Profession: Photographer
Namibia National Archives Database
002106
Lifasi, Simata, Fwe (Mafwe) King
[Mamili, traditional title]
* at Makalani
+ .1931
---
After the death of Fwe (Mafwe) King Simata Kabende in 1914, he was succeeded by Mamili
Lifasi Simata (1914-1931) who originated from Makalani. He was the second in the
recorded genealogy of the Mafwe kings. Lifasi was followed by Mamili Simata
Lifasi (1931-1944), also originating from Makalani.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000752
Likando, Ernest Simasiku
* 28.02.1952
+ 14.08.2002
---
Ernest Simasiku Likando was born on 28.02.1952. He was a politician and local historian
for the Caprivi Region. He was in exile from ???-1989. He worked for the Ministry of
Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation and was SWAPO Co-ordinator for Katima Mulilo in
2000. He died on 14.08.2002.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Namibia National Archives Database
00072
Lilienthal, Adelheid
* at Windhoek
---
Adelheid Lilienthal was born in Windhoek. She received her schooling in Swakopmund (Matric
1960). She studied painting, graphics and art history at the Akademie der Bildenden
Künste at Stuttgart in Germany from 1960 until 1965, and qualified as
"Gebrauchsgrafikerin" (1966) and art teacher (1969). She returned to Namibia in
1970. She served as an art teacher at the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS) in Windhoek
from 1976 to 1980. She is known for her paintings, book illustrations, stage decorations
and graphic art as well as for her cartoons for the "Namibia Nachrichten" from
1984 until 1992. Since 1982 she is a board member of the Arts Association. She married
Konrad Lilienthal in 1970.
---
Gender: f
Field of activity: ART
Profession: Artist
Married to: Konrad Lilienthal, married 1970
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000073
Lilienthal, Konrad
* 28.09.1934 at Schröttersburg, Germany (today Poland)
+ 05.08.2001 at Windhoek
First entry to Namibia: 1970
---
Konrad Lilienthal was born in Schröttersburg (Germany, today Poland) on 28.09.1934. He
received his schooling in Nienburg (Weser) and vocational training as carpenter. He
studied engineering, law and economics at the Stuttgart Technical University (Dipl.-Ing.).
He came to Namibia in 1970 to work as town engineer in Swakopmund. He moved to Windhoek in
1976. He was an engineer in private business and farmer. He was a founding member and
Chairman of the Interessengemeinschaft Deutschsprachiger Südwester (IG). He published the
liberal weekly newspaper Namibia Nachrichten from 1984 until 1992. He married Adelheid
Lilienthal in 1970. He died on 05.08.2001 at Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ENG POL
Profession: Civil engineer
Functions: Chairman - Interessengemeinschaft Deutschsprachiger Südwester
Married to: Adelheid Lilienthal, married 1970
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
001646
Lind, Wilhelm
* 30.07.1883 at Wattenscheid, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1913
---
Wilhelm Lind was born on 30.07.1883 at Wattenscheid in Germany. He was a missionary of the
Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft. He came to Namibia 1913 and was based at Rietfontein.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married to: Bertha Lind, née Winkel, married 1914-
Namibia National Archives Database
000387
Lindequist, Friedrich von, Dr.
* 15.09.1862 at Wostevitz, Germany
+ 25.06.1945 at Macherslust near Eberswalde, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1894
Last departure from Namibia: 1907
---
Friedrich von Lindequist was born on 15.09.1862 at Wostevitz in Germany. He studied law.
Since 1886 he served in the German government service. He came to Namibia as a judge in
1894. He was the German Consul General in Cape Town from 1900 until 1903. He served as
Governor of German SWA from 1905 to 1907, then returned to Germany. He was an
Unterstaatssekretär (Under Secretary of State) of the Reichskolonialamt from 1907 until
1910. In this position he undertook a study trip to German East Africa (1908) about
settlement opportunities. He became Staatssekretär (succeeding Dernburg) in the same
office from 1910 to 1911. He resigned on 03.11.1911 because of disagreement with the
German-French agreement on Morocco. During his period as a governor, he was instrumental
in introducing karakul breeding to Namibia. He was active in the German colonial movement
and various chauvinist organisations. After World War One, he became the Vice-President of
the Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft, President of the Deutscher Seeverein and the Chairman
of the Deutscher Schutzbund. He died on 25.06.1945 at Macherslust near Eberswalde.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW ADM
Profession: Lawyer
Functions: Generalkonsul - Cape Town - 1900-1903
Gouverneur - German South West Africa - 1905-1907
Unterstaatssekretär - Reichskolonialamt - 1907-1910
Staatssekretär - Reichskolonialamt - 1910-1911
Präsident - Deutscher Seeverein
Vizepräsident - Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft
Vorsitzender - Deutscher Schutzbund
Collections/Papers:
1). War loss in private custody, 1945 (Main part of papers)
2). Bundesarchiv Koblenz: Kleine Erwerbungen (Manuscripts: Als Generalkonsul in Kapstadt
1900-1903; Südwestafrikanische Erlebnisse 1895-1906)
3). Bundesarchiv Lichterfelde: RKA Schutzgebietsakten DSWA (Personnel files)
4). HWWA: Personenarchiv
RAW DATA: Mommsen 1,I; Gann: Rulers; Dt. Koloniallexikon; Nuhn 1988; Hubatsch; Hintrager
1955; Leutwein 1906; Jacob 1938; Drechsler 1966;
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks (Visit to Usakos, 1906)
001006
Lindholm, Oscar
*
First entry to Namibia: 1854
---
Oscar Lindholm was a servant, trader and trader's assistant. He was a Swede who perhaps
first came to South Africa with Wahlberg late in 1853, for he was with Wahlberg, Green and
Bonfield on their journey to Ngamiland during 1854-56 that ended with Wahlberg's death.
Lindholm married one of Stewardson's daughters at Cape Town in July or August 1863, and in
1864 he was managing Andersson's store in Otjimbingwe. Lindholm was living at Omaruru as a
trader in 1874 and 1876. In August 1877 he was at Stromboom's station at Lake Ngami.
Lindholm departed back for Hereroland on 08.11.1877, but later that month he was stopped
at Ghanzi by a bad case of malaria. His son Friedrich later became a transport driver at
Omaruru.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Trader
Married to: ? Lindholm, née Stewardson, married 1863-
Children: Friedrich Lindholm
RAW DATA: Otto-Reiner 1991; Bourquin 1969; Tabler 1973; W.B.Lord T. Baines, Shifts and
expedients of camp life, travel and exploration (London 1876): 133; Chapman 1971; Chapman
Accession (NAN); Wallis 1936: 336; McKiernan 1954: 134, 146, 147;
002043
Lingram, James
*
+ .1878 at Walvis Bay
---
James Lingram was a man of Swedish and English parentage who died at Walvis Bay in 1878.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:71;
000577
Links, David
*
---
David Links was a bearer of various offices under Hendrik Witbooi. He was married to
Kaatje and had three children with her.
---
Gender: m
Married to: Kaatje Links
Namibia National Archives Database
001647
Links, Jacob
* in South Africa
+ .1825 at Dabegabis near Warmbad
---
Jacob Links was the assistant of missionary Threlfall of the London Missionary Society. He
was murdered with him at Dabegabis near Warmbad in 1825.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Namibia National Archives Database
001649
Links, Johannes
*
---
Johannes Links was a Nama schoolmaster in Warmbad in 1903. He joined Jakob Marengo in 1905
during the German Namibian War 1903 to 1908.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
RAW DATA: JBRMG 1903:15, 1905:21;
001650
Links, Johannes
*
---
Teacher of the AMEC in Gibeon 1953.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: EDU
RAW DATA: Schlosser 1958:117;
001651
Links, Paul
*
---
According to Esterhuyse (1968), Paul Links was a Captain of the ||Hawoben
(Veldskoendragers) in 1884. However, the Captain of the Veldskoendragers at the time was
Karl Hendrik Ses (!Nanib #karib #Arisemab)(1865-1887). Lau (1995:242) mentioned a Paul
Links as a "well-known leader based at the Oranje River in mid-19th century",
possibly of a subgroup of Veldschoendragers (?).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: TRA
RAW DATA: Esterhuyse 1968:72, 79; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000578
Links, Thomas
*
---
Thomas Links was a highly-placed official under Hendrik Witbooi, possibly related to Paul
Links, a well-known leader with a following of about 500-600 people based at the Oranje
River in the mid-1800s. Thomas was married to Katharina and had three children.
---
Gender: m
Married to: Katharina Links
Namibia National Archives Database
001007
Linning, Kurt Heinrich Theodor
* 15.02.1905 at Kiel, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1954
---
Kurt Heinrich Theodor Linning was born on 15.02.1905 at Kiel in Germany. He was educated
at Kiel. He was a banker in Germany, London (United Kingdom) and South Africa before
coming to Namibia in 1954.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Banker
Functions: Vice-President - Windhoek Show Society - (1959)
Married to: Erna Linning, née Pawlowski
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
000935
List, Carl
* in Germany
+ .1959 in Namibia
First entry to Namibia: 1906
---
Carl List was born in Germany. He came to Namibia in 1906 as an employee of the Berliner
Bank. He established the Deutsche Bank in Swakopmund and Lüderitzbucht. During World War
One, he was interned in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He returned to Lüderitzbucht in
1918. In 1919, Carl List and Ohlthaver sold the Deutsche Afrika Bank to Barclays Bank, and
established the firm "Ohlthaver & List" (OL). In 1924, Carl List bought the
majority of shares in OL. In 1936, he bought the farm Midgard.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman
Married to: Paula List, married 1913-
Children: Lorie List (1913-)
Ursel List (1914-)
Karl Werner Rudolph List (1921-2002)
RAW DATA: AZ 11.4.2002;
000936
List, Karl Werner Rudolph
* 15.04.1921 at Windhoek
+ 09.04.2002 at Windhoek
---
Karl Werner Rudolph List was born on 15.04.1921 at Windhoek as son of the banker Carl
List, whose firm Ohlthaver & List he inherited. He received his schooling in Windhoek
with the Abitur in 1938 at the Deutsche Oberrealschule. In 1939, he was sent by his father
to study karakul and cattle breeding at Duwisib. During World War Two he was "farm
interned" as manager of the Midgard farm from 1939 to 1945. He married his second
wife Hilde in 1957, who became an active and acknowledged partner in his business
ventures. In 1963, Carl List House was built and List bought shares in various smaller
breweries to establish South West Breweries. In 1964, he took over the chairmanship of the
Ohlthaver & List Group. In the following years, the group diversified into retailing
(Model Supermarket), shipbuilding, fishing, engineering, meat processing, and tourism.
List demonstrated faith in the future of the independent Republic of Namibia by starting
to build Mokuti Lodge and the Wernhil shopping centre complex shortly before independence.
He developed a close relationship with President Sam Nujoma who honoured his loyalty to
Namibia. He died on 09.04.2002 at Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman
Married to: <1>Margarethe List, née Fortmüller
<2>Hilde List, married 1957-
Father: Carl List (-1959)
Children: Monika List
Carl Ludwig List
Sibylle List
Christa List
RAW DATA: Special supplement of Allgemeine Zeitung and Die Republikein, 16.04.2002;
002114
Liswani III, Maiba Kisco, Subya (Masubya) King
[Munitenge, traditional title]
*
+ .
---
Liswani Moraliswani died in 1996. He was followed by Munitenge
Maiba Kisco Liswani III (1996-). He resides in the Subya capital Bukalo.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
000499
Livingstone, David
* 19.03.1813 at Blantyre, Scotland
+ 01.05.1873 at Lake Bangwelu, Zambia
---
David Livingstone was born on 19.03.1813 at Blantyre in Scotland. He was a determined
traveller and missionary. Livingstone became legendary during his life-time and was the
first to bring to Europe information on Central Africa and its inhabitants. Together with
William Cotton Oswell and Mungo Murray, he reached Lake Ngami in 1849. He also travelled
through what is now the Caprivi Strip in 1851, 1853 and 1855. He was married to Mary, the
eldest daughter of missionary Moffat, in 1844. They had five children. He died on
01.05.1873 at Lake Bangwelu in present-day Zambia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Married to: Mary Livingstone, née Moffat (1821-1862), married 1844-
Collections/Papers:
1). SOAS: GB 0102 CWM/LMS Africa Miscellaneous Livingstone (Correspondence 1834-1950s of
and relating to Livingstone; official LMS papers relating to L.; LMS reference collection
on L.; Bruce Livingstone Collection)
RAW DATA: P.Reiner 1992:424; Lau 1989:307; Field 1972:704; Tabler 1966:126; Tabler
1973:71;
001652
Loch, Henry, Sir
*
---
Governor of the Cape Colony in 1896.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
RAW DATA: Bülow 1896:28;
001653
Loeber, Wilhelm
* .1907 in Germany
---
Missionary of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Namibia National Archives Database
001698
Logan, Richard
[Logan, Dick - colloquial name]
* in USA
---
American geographer who researched in Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Profession: Geographer
Married to: Stella Logan
Namibia National Archives Database
001009
Lombard, Hans Philip, Dr.
* 15.04.1916 at Graaff-Reinet, South Africa
---
Hans Philip Lombard was born on 15.04.1916 at Graaff-Reinet in South Africa. He was
educated at Graaff-Reinet and the University of Cape Town. He was a medical practitioner.
He was a Member of the SWA Legislative Assembly and Member of the SWA Executive Committee.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MED
Married to: Delia Joan Lombard, née Courtney-Clarke, married 1940-
Father: Anton Christoffel Lombard
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
001010
Loopuyt, Jan Marie
* 28.08.1901 at Rondebosch, South Africa
---
Jan Marie Loopuyt was born on 28.08.1901 at Rondebosch in South Africa. He was educated at
Rondebosch, Delft University in Holland, and the University of Cape Town. He was a civil
engineer. He was the Chief Roads Engineer of the Roads Branch of the SWA Administration in
the 1950s and early 1960s. He was the Chairman of the SWA Road Transportation Board. He
was active in sports and in Boy Scouts movement
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ENG
Profession: Engineer
Functions: Chief Roads Engineer - SWA Administration
Chairman - SWA Road Transportation Board
Married to: Lydia Loopuyt, née Bennett, married 1931-
Father: Jacob Loopuyt
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
001654
Lösch, Alexander
* 12.11.1885
+ 19.10.1914 at Naulila, Angola
---
Alexander Lösch was born on 12.11.1885 in Germany. He was a Schutztruppe officer. He was
killed at Naulila in Angola by Portuguese forces on 19.10.1914.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:114;
001699
Loteryman, Jacob
* 10.10.1887 at Utrecht, Netherlands
---
Wine and spirit merchant and farmer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Married to: Jacoba Cristina Loteryman, née Pieterse, married 1908-
RAW DATA: WWSA 1929/30;
001700
Loth, Heinrich
* in Germany
---
German Africanist historian. Wrote about Namibian precolonial and colonial history.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: HIS
Profession: Historian
Namibia National Archives Database
001011
Loubser, N.E.
* 21.01.1908 at Strand, South Africa
---
N.E. Loubser was born on 21.01.1908 at Strand in South Africa. He was educated at Somerset
West. He was the Proprietor of the Grossherzog Hotel in Windhoek.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman
Married to: Ernstine Loubser, née Liebenberg, married 1936
Father: Nico Loubser
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;
002044
Lourens
* in South Africa
---
Lourens was a hunter. He was a Boer who was part of the infamous hunting party under
H. van Zyl that in 1877 killed a herd of 103 elephants in one day at Olifants Pan. He is
also documented hunting near the Okavango River at Andara in 1878.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Table 1973:71;
002045
Louw, Adriaan
*
First entry to Namibia: 1791
Last departure from Namibia: 1792
---
Accompanied Willem van Reenen on his expedition to Namibia in 1791-92.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Tabler 1973:72;
001701
Louw, Peter
[Louw, Taffy - colloquial name]
*
---
Prospector, became rich through sale of his uranium claims.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001012
Louw, Tielmann
* .?.1940
+ 09.1987 in Windhoek
---
Attorney-General in SWA since 1985 until his death in September 1987.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW
Profession: Lawyer
Functions: Attorney-general - SWA
RAW DATA: Namibia-Pressedienst 21.09.87;
001702
Louw, Wallenstein
* .1915
---
Policeman in the rank of major-general, headed the SWA Police in 1973-1975.
---
Gender: m
Namibia National Archives Database
001013
Louw, Walter
* in Namibia
---
Walter Louw received his schooling in Keetmanshoop (Matric 1957). He studied anthropology
at Stellenbosch and Port Elizabeth (MA degree 1962 with a thesis on the socio-political
system of the Ongandjera community). He worked as a researcher for the South African
Bureau for Racial Affairs from 1963 until 1967 and as the Oshakati representative of the
Department of Information from 1968 to 1970. He worked for the Oshiwambo Service of Radio
Bantu from 1970 to 1972 and as public relations officer of the Bantu Investment
Corporation from 1973- .
---
Gender: m
Profession: Anthropologist
Namibia National Archives Database
000381
Louw, Willem
* .1914 in South Africa
+ 29.12.2000 at Strand, South Africa
First entry to Namibia: 1920
---
Willem Louw was born in 1914 in South Africa. He became a Namibian businessman, farmer and
politician (National Party) who from 1961 to 1977 served in the Senate of the South
African Parliament.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Functions: Senator for South West Africa - South African Parliament - 1961-1976
Married to: "Bokkie" Louw
RAW DATA: Obituary: Republikein 17.01.2001;
001014
Louwrens, ?
* at Heillbron, South Africa
---
Louwrens graduated with a B.Sc. (Mech.Eng.) from the University of Cape Town in 1935. He
joined De Beers Consolidated Mines in 1936. He was the General Manager of Consolidated
Diamond Mines from 1946- .
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: ENG
Profession: Engineer
RAW DATA: SWA Annual 1954;
001655
Lübben, Gerold
* 30.03.1879
+ 08.09.1914
---
Schutztruppe officer.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer
RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:233;
001703
Lübbert, Erich
* in Germany
---
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Wissenschaftliche Forschung in Südwestafrika (1962):9-11;
001015
Lubowski, Anton Theodor August Wilfried
* 03.02.1953 in Namibia
+ 12.09.1989 at Windhoek
---
Anton Lubowski was born on 03.02.1953 in Namibia. He studied law at Stellenbosch and Cape
Town Universities and received the B.A. and LL.B. degrees. As an advocate he was a Member
of the Windhoek Bar. He defended political prisoners and got involved with the Namibian
trade union movement in the capacity of Secretary of Finance and Administration of the
National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW). He joined SWAPO officially in 1984. Before 1989
he had no official party position but he made frequently public statements on behalf of
SWAPO. He initiated the NAMLAW Project, a legal research organisation to draft legislation
for Namibia after Independence. He received the Austrian Bruno Kreisky Price for
Achievements in Human Rights. As a SWAPO activist he was detained six times by the South
African authorities. In 1989 he became Deputy Secretary for Finance and Administration in
the SWAPO Election Directorate. Shortly before his death he became a Member of the SWAPO
Central Committee. He was murdered in front of his home in Windhoek, presumably by a South
African hit squad (probably by an Irish mercenary, Donald Acheson), during the
independence election campaign on 12.09.1989.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW POL
Profession: Lawyer
Married to: Gabrielle Lubowski, née Schuster
Mother: Molly Lubowski
Father: Wilfried Lubowski
Children: Almo Lubowski; Nadia Lubowski
RAW DATA: Namibia Handbook and Political Who's Who, 1990 (Pütz, Von Egidy and Caplan);
001016
Lucas, Alexander
* 23.02.1857 at Elberfeld, Germany
---
Lucas Alexander was born on 23.02.1857 at Elberfeld in Germany. He was a representative of
the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Gesellschaft in Zanzibar from 1885 to 1886. He co-founded a
number of colonial companies, mostly with East African interests, but also the
Aussenkjer-Land- und Minen-Gesellschaft operating in Namibia.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman
RAW DATA: Dt. Koloniallexikon;
000228
Lückhoff, Paulus Daniel
* 27.09.1803 at Elberfeld, Germany
+ 28.12.1891 at Stellenbosch, South Africa
---
Paulus Daniel Lückhoff was born on 27.09.1803 at Elberfeld in Germany. He was a church
minister and teacher of the Rhenish Missionary Society. He established a mission station
at Stellenbosch. For many years, his house was the centre of the Rhenish Missionary
Society in South Africa. He was married to Johanna Susanna Albertyn from the Cape Colony.
They had four children. He died on 28.12.1891 at Stellenbosch.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Married to: Johanna Susanna Lückhoff, née Albertyn
Namibia National Archives Database
001704
Lüderitz, August
* at Bremen, Germany
First entry to Namibia: 1884
---
August Lüderitz was a brother of Franz Adolf Eduard Lüderitz. He travelled to Namibia in
1884 with the "Elizabeth" on behalf of his brother. His photographs are
important pictorial documents of the early colonial period.
---
Gender: m
RAW DATA: Esterhuyse 1968:67;
000358
Lüderitz, Franz Adolf Eduard
* 16.07.1834 at Bremen, Germany
+ 10.1886 at unknown, Namibia
First entry to Namibia: 1883
---
Franz Adolf Eduard Lüderitz was born on 16.07.1834 into a family of tobacco merchants of
Bremen. He lived for years in the USA and took over the family business in 1878. He
started the German rush for colonies by acquiring land and mining rights near Angra
Pequeña in Namibia in 1883 and succeeded to have this land put under the
"protection" of the German Empire. On 16.11.1882 he planned
to erect a station on Africa’s south-west coast and asked Bismarck for protection.
Bismarck replied affirmatively, provided that Lüderitz would not come into conflict with
the rights of other parties. Lüderitz as well as some employees of his
travelled through southern and central Namibia to explore business opportunities and to
conclude treaties with various Namibian communities. On 01.05.1883 Heinrich
Vogelsang, Lüderitz’s employee, "bought" Angra Pequeña and surroundings
from Nama Captain Joseph Frederiks II ( !Korebeb-5Naixab) (1880-1893) of Bethany. This
fraudulent treaty of May 1883 also dubbed the "mile scam", gained notoriety
because of conflicting interpretations of the term "geographical mile (7,41 km)"
and "English mile (1,609 km)". On 12.05.1883 the German
flag was hoisted at Angra Pequeña (Fort Vogelsang). On 25.08.1883 a coastal strip from the Oranje River to 26° south latitude was purchased by
Vogelsang for Lüderitz’s firm (at a cost of £500 plus 60 Wesley-Richard rifles). On
the 11.10.1883 Lüderitz visited Angra Pequeña for the first time, and on 25.11.1883
Lüderitz reached Bethany. On 24.04.1884 Germany promised to protect the territory sold to
Lüderitz and thus supported this colonialist venture. In April 1884 Lüderitz organised a
mining expedition under the leadership of C. Hoepfner in order to investigate the minerals
potential in the territory. Participants are the geologists and mining engineers Waldemar
Belck, A. Schenck, Mertens, Gürich, Prescher and Spengler. On 07.08.1884 the German flag
was officially hoisted at Angra Pequeña (German battleships "Leipzig" (Captain
Herbig) and "Elisabeth" (Captain Schering)). On 19.08.1884 a private treaty was
agreed between Lüderitz and Piet ||Haibeb of the Topnaar in Scheppmannsdorf. This treaty
included all mining rights. Ludwig Koch became Lüderitz’s authorised agent to
conclude all treaties. During September 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. In December 1884
Lüderitz erected trading posts at Angra Pequeña, Bethany, Kubub (near Aus) and Aus. They
all made losses. On 01.02.1885 Lüderitz's vessel "Tilly" sank off the coast of
Angra Pequeña. The speculative investments in "Lüderitzland", as
the area became known for a while, drained Lüderitz's means, not knowing that
"his" land included the richest alluvial diamond deposits on earth. He went
bankrupt and had to sell his rights to a consortium which later transferred them to the
Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft für Südwest-Afrika. Lüderitz disappeared without a trace,
together with his companion and pilot Steingröver, while apparently trying to sail the
ocean from the Oranje River mouth to Angra Pequeña in a small, not seaworthy vessel in
1886. The German authorities later renamed Angra Pequeña in his honour to Lüderitzbucht.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Merchant
Collections/Papers:
1). Staatsarchiv Bremen: Nichtamtl.Schriftgut 7,15
2). NAN: A.375
3). NAN: A.260
4). Bundesarchiv Lichterfelde: Reichskolonialamt 1994-2009 Lüderitzakten
5). Bundesarchiv Lichterfelde: Reichskolonialamt 2027 Tod des A. Lüderitz
RAW DATA: Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks
000023
Ludwig, Dieter
* 14.07.1951 at Usakos
---
Dieter Ludwig was born on 14.07.1951 at Usakos. He received his schooling in Windhoek
(Orban School, St.Paul's) and in Natal, South Africa. He was trained as a joiner, working
in the private sector and for the Windhoek Municipality. Since 1967 he is a member of the
Ornithological Working Group, since 1982 their chairman.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: Zoology
Profession: Joiner
Functions: Chairman - Ornithological Working Group of the SWA Scientific Society - 1982-
Board member - Namibia Scientific Society - 1996-
Namibia National Archives Database
000125
Lukas, Adam
*
---
Witbooi council member and also holder of religious office (ouderling). Married to Maria.
---
Gender: m
Married to: Maria
Namibia National Archives Database
001705
Luschan, Felix von, Prof.
* 11.08.1854 at Hollabrunn, Austria
+ .1924
---
Felix von Luschan was born on 11.08.1854 at Hollabrunn in Austria. He studied medicine in
Vienna and anthropology in Paris. 1885 he was an assistant at the Museum für Völkerkunde
in Berlin, and from 1904 until 1911 Director of the museum. He became Professor at the
University of Berlin in 1911. He undertook numerous scientific travels to the Middle East
and Egypt. 1905 he travelled to South Africa, where he took special interest in the
physical anthropology of the Khoisan.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Profession: Anthropologist
Namibia National Archives Database
000229
Lutz, Johann Heinrich
* 03.01.1812 at Rheineck, Germany
+ 17.09.1887
---
Johann Heinrich Lutz was born on 03.01.1812 at Rheineck in Germany. He was a Rhenish
missionary at Ebenezer (1841-1845) and Amandelboom (1845-1875) in South Africa. He
returned to Europe in 1875. He married twice, to Caroline Seringhaus on 19.09.1846, with
six children, and to Babette Kuhn on 27.02.1862, with one child. He died on 17.09.1887.
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary
Married to: <1>Caroline Lutz, née Seringhaus, married 1846-1859
<2>Babette Lutz, née Kuhn, married 1862-
Namibia National Archives Database
001706
Lux, Dr.
* in Germany
---
Veterinarian, Distriktchef of Bethany 1914.
---
Gender: m
Profession: Veterinarian
RAW DATA: Hubatsch;
 TO
"K" |
