Hendrik Witbooi (Namaqua chief)

Hendrik Witbooi (c. 1830 – 29 October 1905) was a chief of the ǀKhowesin people, a sub-tribe of the Khoikhoi. He lived in present-day Namibia. Witbooi is regarded as one of the national heroes of Namibia. His face is portrayed on the obverse of all N$50, N$100 and N$200 Namibian dollar banknotes.

King Hendrik Witbooi (also spelt Witboi) was also known by the Nama name ǃNanseb gaib ǀGâbemab (the captain who disappears in the grass, a reference to his guerrilla war tactics), the Herero name Korota, the Herero pejorative Otjikorota, and the nickname Kort.

The family of Hendrik Witbooi made its mark as important members of Nama tribes. His grandfather, David Witbooi, was Chief of the tribe, who led the tribe across the Orange River into Namaland. His father, Moses Witbooi, was also a Chief of the tribe. His uncle, Jonker Afrikaner, was also a well-known Nama Chief, and opponent of Hendrik Witbooi. Jonker Afrikaner was in turn the son of the famous Jager Afrikaner. Hendrik Witbooi himself had seven sons and five daughters, including his son Isaak Witbooi.

Witbooi was born circa 1830 in Pella, Northern Cape, in the Cape Colony, today part of South Africa. He was educated as a Lutheran by German missionary Johannes Olp, and was well-versed in many languages, including his native Nama. He was a member of the Nama people, also known as the Khoikhoi.

The ǀKhowesin Nama and other Nama tribes often fought amongst each other and with Herero tribes. After almost being killed in a conflict with the Hereros, he had a vision that he had been chosen by God to lead his people north.

...
Wikipedia