BIOGRAPHIES OF NAMIBIAN PERSONALITIES
in alphabetical order

KLAUS DIERKS
Copyright © 2003-2004 Dr. Klaus Dierks

Z

000633
Zaal, Jakob
*
---
Jakob Zaal was an officer under Hendrik Witbooi. The Zaal family is documented as being members of the Gibeon congregation since at least 1874. A Jacobus Zaal was born to Johannes and Sofia Zaal on 22.08.1872. According to Conradt, he was also chief of provisions at Hoornkrans.
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Gender: m

Namibia National Archives Database

000340
Zaby, Alfred, O.M.I.
* 12.11.1926 at Friedberg, Germany
+ 26.12.2002 at Döbra
First entry to Namibia: 1957
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Alfred Zaby was born on 12.11.1926 at Friedberg in Germany. He came to Namibia in 1957 as a Catholic Missionary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) order, worked as a teacher in Döbra, then as a priest in Gobabis and Otjiwarongo, since 1972 in Okombahe, then at Khorixas. Since 1981 he worked at Anamulenge. He wrote on ethnographical topics. Of particular interest is his authoritative work on the ethnography and history of the Riemvasmaak people, who were forcibly removed from Riemvasmaak (South Africa) to Damaraland in 1973.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Catholic Missionary

RAW DATA: Namibiana I,2; Namibiana IV,1;

000043
Zachariah, Lazarus
*
---
Lazarus Zachariah was arrested in 1966 and detained without trial for 21 months, including 14 months' solitary imprisonment. He was tried with other Namibians in the Pretoria Terrorism Trial, between September 1967 and February 1968. He was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment on Robben Island.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

Collections/Papers:
1). NAN: PRI 3/16 (Prison file)

000332
Zahn, Gustav Adolf
* 15.04.1808 at Wasserthalleben, Schwarzburg, Germany
+ 08.03.1890 at Steinthal, Ceres, South Africa
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Gustav Adolf Zahn was born on 15.04.1808 at Wasserthalleben, Schwarzburg in Germany. He was one of the first missionaries of the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft to come to South Africa. Zahn was appointed Superintendent of the Rhenish Mission congregations in the Cape Colony in 1850, and held this position until his retirement in 1866. He was married to Francina Hendrika Helena Vos from Tulbagh on 04.02.1835. They had four children.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: REL
Profession: Missionary

Married to: Francina Hendrika Helena Zahn, née Vos, married 1835-

Namibia National Archives Database

000333
Zahn, Johannes
* 1843 at Tulbagh, South Africa
---
Johannes Zahn was born in 1843 at Tulbagh in South Africa. He was the third child of Gustav Adolf and Francina Hendrika Helena Zahn. After initially assisting his father at Tulbagh, he became a teacher at the Rhenish Missionary Society's Boy's School at Stellenbosch in 1881. In 1882, however, he left the RMS, joined the Dutch Reformed Church, and became pastor in Cape Town. He was married to Martha Pilgram on 03.04.1878.
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Gender: m

Field of activity: EDU
Profession: Teacher

Married to: Martha Zahn, née Pilgram, married 1878

Namibia National Archives Database

001696
Zawada, Felix
* 02.10.1878
+ 06.08.1914
---
Felix Zawada was born on 02.10.1878. He was a Schutztruppe officer. He died on 06.08.1914.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL
Profession: Military officer

RAW DATA: Fischer 1935:221;

001938
Zeidler, Wolfgang
* in Germany
+ in Germany
---
Wolfgang Zeidler was a Judge of the German Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht). He was an active supporter of the South African attempts for an "internal solution" in Namibia.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW
Profession: Jurist

RAW DATA: Informationsdienst Südliches Afrika 5/1985;

000854
Zelle, Erich
* at Berlin, Germany
+ .1969
First entry to Namibia: 1906
---
Erich Zelle studied geophysics in Germany, but broke off and emigrated to Namibia in 1906. He had various odd jobs until in 1920 he was appointed government meteorologist until his retirement in 1944. He was very active in the SWA Scientific Society, which he served as librarian, secretary, and President (1939-1947).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: SCI
Functions: President - SWA Scientific Society - 1939-1947

Married to: Elisabeth Zelle, née Brose
Father: Friedrich Zelle
RAW DATA: Mitt.SWAWG 43,4-6; WWSA 1959;

002206
Zeraua, Christian Eerike, Ovaherero Chief
*
---
Ombara (traditional title) Christian Eerike Zeraua is the current Ovaherero Chief at Omatjette (since 1997).
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Gender: m
Field of activity: POL

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

000334
Zeraua, Christian Wilhelm, Ovaherero Chief
* at Otjimbingwe
+ 29.11.1876 at Omaruru
---
Christian Wilhelm Zeraua was a famous Ovaherero leader at Otjimbingwe. Zeraua, who rose to prominence in the 1850s as a leader of the Ovaherero, was a central figure in the process by which the Ovaherero were armed - or armed themselves - with guns. He remained closely associated with the European traders. Zeraua was the third son of Zemburuka and Zaapi, he had at least four sons himself (Kambata, Zacharias, Elias and Cornelius) and several daughters, one of them Albertine, who later married Manasse Tyiseseta. He and his lineage are much praised in Ovaherero traditions. Although he had consistently refused to be converted to Christianity, he requested Rhenish Missionary Viehe to baptise him with the names Christian Wilhelm in 1876, close to his death. He was the first Omuherero to be buried in a coffin, which is why the Ovaherero refer to that year as the "Year of the Coffin" ("ojotjikesa"). Although the Ovaherero leader Christian Wilhelm Zeraua was Maharero’s senior, he declined in 1863 the leadership and Maharero became the supreme Ovaherero Chief. In 1867, he moved to Omaruru owing to the drought. In September 1876 the Ovaherero chiefs and William Coates Palgrave, Special Representative of the Cape Colony, hold the Main Conference of Okahandja. The letter to Cape Governor Barkly was signed by Maharero, Christian Wilhelm Zeraua from Omaruru, the Ovambanderu Chief, Salomo Aponda from Otjikango and Wilhelm Maharero, oldest son of Maharero. As witnesses the letter is also signed by missionaries Peter Heinrich Brincker, Carl Ludwig Hermann Hegner and Botolf Bernhard Björklund, and traders Heinrich Kleinschmidt, Robert Lewis and J.J. Christie. Christian Wilhelm Zeraua died in Omaruru on 29.11.1876. He was succeeded by Manasse Tyiseseta (resp. Chief Tjaherani according to other sources).
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Gender: m
Field of activity: POL
Profession: Traditional leader

Children: Kambata
Zacharias
Elias
Cornelius
Albertine

RAW DATA: P.Reiner 1992:444; Lau 1989:318; Otto-Reiner 1991; v.Schumannn 1986; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

000604
Zeraua, Zacharias, Ovaherero Chief
*
+ 09.03.1915 at Otjimbingwe
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Zacharias Zeraua was the son of Christian Wilhelm Zeraua (+ 1876), leader of the Ovaherero of Otjimbingwe and surroundings. On 26.11.1894 Leutwein persuaded Samuel Maharero and Zacharias Zeraua of Otjimbingwe to meet Manasse Tyiseseta at Omaruru to seek agreement between the Ovaherero leaders. Leutwein’s demonstration of power led to the downfall of Manasse’s independent position and to the establishment of a German military garrison at Omaruru. In 1903 "White" infringers of the law were increasingly favoured by the German law courts. The most sensational case was the initial dismissal of a certain Dietrich after the murder of the daughter-in-law of the Otjimbingwe Chief, Zacharias Zeraua. The Ovaherero unleashed a storm of protest. The re-trial found Dietrich guilty and he was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. Zeraua took part in the German-Namibian War of 1904. On 23.01.1904 the Ovaherero of Otjimbingwe under Chief Zacharias Zeraua started fighting. On 16.02. Lieutenant Gygas defeated the Otjimbingwe Ovaherero under Zeraua in the battle of Lievenberg. In March Theodor Leutwein reported that Samuel Maharero was positioned along the line of Otjosazu, Okatumba at the Swakop River and Katjapia (with ±1 000 rifles); that Chief Michael Tyiseseta was moving from the Etjo Mountains in an eastward direction (with ±500 rifles); that the Tjetjo community had retreated from Kehoro at the Black Nossob River in the direction of the Onjati Mountains (with ±1 000 rifles); and that more Ovaherero under the command of Zacharias Zeraua (with ±1 000 rifles) could be found in the area of Otjimbingwe at the Sney River, and at Lievenberg and Oruware at the Swakop River. At the end of March Zeraua left the area of Oruware and moved via Teufelsbach to the east. Thereafter he joined the Otjimbingwe and Omaruru Ovaherero at Samuel Maharero's station at Ongandjira in the upper Swakop valley. After the Waterberg Battle in August, the Ovaherero assembled at Okahandja North between the Omatako omuramba and the Eiseb omuramba (September 1904). They fled further via Otjinene, Epata, Osombo-Windimbe (Ozombo ja Windimba) and Erindi-Ombahe, following the course of the Eiseb omuramba. Zacharias Zeraua from Otjimbingwe reported later that the chiefs Samuel Maharero from Okahandja, Banjo from Otjombonde, David and Salatiel Kambazembi from Waterberg, Ouandja from Otjikururume, Kayata from Otjihaenena, Michael Tyiseseta from Omaruru, Katjahingi and Assa Riarua had assembled at Osombo Onjatu at the Eiseb omuramba. During December 1904, in consequence of the imperial order to pardon all Ovaherero who had put down their arms, Ludwig von Estorff, who was at this stage stationed at Owinauanaua at the Eiseb omuramba, called upon the Ovaherero to surrender and promised to spare their lives and resettle them in the areas from which they originally came. But Von Trotha reacted to Von Estorff by saying "You have nothing to promise." One of the leaders who trusted Von Estorff’s promise was Chief Zacharias Zeraua from Otjimbingwe. In breach of Von Estorff’s promise, Zeraua was not permitted to return to Otjimbingwe. Instead in captivity Zeraua was immediately interrogated and charged with instigating the murder of "white" settlers. Later in Court (22.05.1905) Zeraua stated under oath: "Before the beginning of the war I did not hold meetings with the captains in Okahandja, therefore I knew nothing of an impending war. I also did not receive a letter from Samuel that he wanted to make war." Zacharias Zeraua died on 09.03.1915 at Otjimbingwe.
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Gender: m

Father: Christian Wilhelm Zeraua (-1876)

RAW DATA: Lenssen 1994:240; Otto 1979:40; Drechsler 1966:154. 165, 350; JBRMG 1905:27; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);

001939
Ziegler, Lieutenant
* in Germany
---
Lieutenant Ziegler was a Schutztruppe officer and Distriktchef (where?).
---
Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL ADM

RAW DATA: Drechsler 1966:123. 346;

001271
Zielske, Fritz
* 04.07.1917 at Warsaw, Poland
First entry to Namibia: 1951
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Fritz Zielske was born on 04.07.1917 at Warsaw in Poland. He served in the German Army in a parachute brigade between 1937 and 1945. He came to Namibia in 1951. He was a Building contractor and director of F. Zielske (Pty) Ltd. He was married to Marga Zielske, née Sonnenberg in 1948.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman

Married to: Marga Zielske, née Sonnenberg, married 1948-
Father: Otto Zielske
RAW DATA: WWSA 1974;

001272
Zimmer, Karl
* 29.06.1913 at Swakopmund
---
Karl Zimmer was born on 29.06.1913 at Swakopmund. He was educated in Windhoek. He was a Businessman, director of Eduard Zimmer (Pty) Ltd. and Zimmer Investment (Pty) Ltd. He was appointed as a member of the SWA Tourism Board. He was married to Agnes Zimmer, née Bokelmann (-1969) in 1938.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: BUS
Profession: Businessman

Married to: Agnes Zimmer, née Bokelmann (-1969), married 1938-
Father: Eduard Zimmer
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959; WWSA 1974;

001273
Zimmermann, Alfred, Dr.
[Charpentier - pseudonym]
* 08.05.1859 at Frankenstein (Schlesien), Germany (now Poland)
+ .1925
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Alfred Zimmermann (Charpentier) was born on 08.05.1859 at Frankenstein (Schlesien) in Germany (now Poland). He studied history and administration. He worked from 1883 to 1900 for the German Foreign Office, since 1893 in the Colonial Department. Between 1901 and 1904 he was a Colonial Councillor of the German Embassy in London. He retired in 1904, lived in Berlin and wrote extensively about colonial history and politics, some of it under the pseudonym Charpentier. He never visited Namibia.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: ADM WRI

Collections/Papers:
1). Bundesarchiv Berlin (?? (1937 Reichsarchiv Potsdam; 1945 to Russia; 1960 returned to DZA Potsdam))
2). Staatsbibliothek Preuss. Kulturbesitz Berlin (Reisebilder)
RAW DATA: Mommsen 1,I; Dt.Koloniallexikon;

001274
Zorn, Philipp, Prof.
* .1850 in Germany
+ .1928
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Philipp Zorn was a professor of state and international law at the University of Bonn. He was a Representative of Germany at the Hague peace conferences. He published i.a. about colonial law.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: LAW
Profession: Jurist

Collections/Papers:
1 (Correspondence destroyed by himself)
2). Bundesarchiv Koblenz (Memoirs; diaries 1916-1918; reports from the Hague conferences; some correspondence)
RAW DATA: Mommsen 1,I;

001275
Zschokke, Markus, Dr.
* 18.06.1893 at Basel, Switzerland
First entry to Namibia: 03.1927
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Markus  Zschokke was born on 18.06.1893 at Basel in Switzerland. He was educated at the Humanistisches Gymnasium Basel, studied veterinary medicine at the Universities Basel and Zürich, with a doctorate at Zürich in 1919. He was a research officer at Onderstepoort, South Africa in 1920. He was a farmer in South Africa from 1922 to 1927. He served as State Veterinarian in Namibia between 1927 and 1953. He was active in the SWA Scientific Society. After retirement, he lived in Grootfontein. He was married to Hildegard Zschokke, née Boehning.
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Gender: m
Field of activity: VET
Profession: Veterinarian
Functions: State Veterinarian - 1927-1953

Married to: Hildegard Zschokke, née Boehning
RAW DATA: WWSA 1959;

001940
Zürn, Lieutenant
* in Germany
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Lieutenant Zürn was a Schutztruppe officer. He was the Distriktschef in Okahandja in the decisive year 1904 (from 1901). On 31.07.1902 Zürn relieved the rising pressure by German traders on Samuel Maharero to pay his debts by declaring that "while Samuel himself still has unpaid debts, he could not accept responsibility for the debts of others". In December 1903 the first "native reserve" for the Ovaherero was created at Otjimbingwe. Further reserves were envisaged for Okahandja, Waterberg and Gobabis. Okahandja District Chief Zürn’s undiplomatic negotiation style for the establishment of the envisaged Okahandja reserve border was one of the reasons for the outbreak of the Ovaherero-German War of January 1904. In the case of the delimitation of the Waterberg reserve border, Zürn even forged the signatures of the Ovaherero leaders. This was another cause for the outbreak of the war. At the end of December 1903 Samuel Maharero allegedly took the decision to fight the Germans. There is, however, evidence that the Ovaherero had no intentions to wage a war against the Germans. The war was rather inflamed by the provocative approach of the German settlers and the aggressive attitude of Zürn. The war took place due to loss of control and ownership of traditional land (German native reserve policy), usury by traders, increasing debts, cases of rape, the sale of alcohol, the increasing ill-treatment of Ovaherero and threats to Samuel Maharero’s life (by Okahandja District Chief Zürn. Missionary Wandres reported Gustav Duft saying: "If Zürn had not been in Okahandja, then the issue would not have developed in the manner that it did"). Zürn was later threatened with a German court martial because he was held responsible for the outbreak of the war. On 06.03.1904 Samuel Maharero wrote a letter to Theodor Leutwein (letter from Otjosonjati): "And finally at dawn [11.01.1904] he [Zürn] added soldiers to the fort [Okahandja] ... and called me, but if I had come they would have shot me. Because I realised this I fled. Then Leutnant Zürn sent people of the gun on my path to follow me and shoot me. This incensed me and consequently I killed the whites [Mr. and Mrs. Dickmann as well as settler Kuntze] which had damaged us, because my death was ordered. This I heard from a white man present here named M. von Michaelis. This is how the war began. It was initiated by the traders and Zürn. I indicate how the war started, it is not mine. Question the traders and Leutnant Zürn as to their war, when they have told you then we can talk about it. The present war is that of Zürn [Otjiherero: Nambano ovita ovia Zürn].
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Gender: m
Field of activity: MIL ADM

RAW DATA: Hubatsch; Gewald 1996: passim; Drechsler 1966:145, 147, 348; Chronology of Namibian History, 2003 (Dierks);