Heather Erdmann
Rehoboth – Vice President Lucia Witbooi this week officially handed over the keys to the house of the late Kaptein Hans Diergaardt to the Baster Traditional Authority in Rehoboth.
The symbolic event, held in Block D, also saw the renaming of Banhoff Street to Kaptein Hans Diergaardt Street in honour of the late Baster leader’s legacy.
Kaptein Johannes Gerard Adolph Diergaardt, widely known as Hans Diergaardt, was the fifth Kaptein of the Baster community and a prominent politician. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 71.
For many years, the house he lived in remained government property—until last week, when it was officially returned to the traditional authority.
“This is a moment of historical significance and symbolic justice for the return of the Kaptein’s house to its rightful owners—the Rehoboth community,” said Vice President Witbooi. “The house is far more than stones and cement; it stands as a symbol of resilience, unity, and the industrious spirit of the Baster people.”
Witbooi added that history cannot erase rightful ownership, and that “it is only prudent, just and proper that this property be restored to the community to whom it truly belongs.”
Johanna van Wyk, a member of the Diergaardt family, expressed the family’s gratitude to the government for recognising their leader after 35 years of waiting.
“Kaptein Hans Diergaardt was dear to our hearts. There was no one I knew who had as much love for Rehoboth and its people as he did. He lived for his people and died poor because of his devotion to them. Therefore, we honour his legacy,” she said.
The Kaptein’s house and the newly named street now stand as enduring reminders of Rehoboth’s resilience, leadership, and the unyielding spirit of the Baster people.
The day’s events brought together community members, traditional leaders, and government officials, including Hardap Governor Riaan McNab, former Hardap Governor Salmon April, Baster Kaptein Jacky Britz, Rehoboth Mayor Justin Coetzee, Deputy Mayor Venus Klazen, Rehoboth CEO Ronald Windswaai, members of the Baster Captains Council (chaired by Albert Alberts), and Rehoboth Town Councillors, among others.
Mayor Coetzee described the occasion as “a moment of restoration—a bridge connecting the past and the present, and a testament to the enduring legacy of the Baster community.”
“We, as Rehoboth, must uphold the dignity and unity to stand together with the leadership and legacy our Kaptein left behind,” he said.
The twin ceremonies symbolised the long-awaited recognition of the Rehoboth Baster community’s cultural and historical heritage—a tribute to a leader who helped shape their identity and vision more than three decades ago. “The contribution of the Baster community to our nation’s story cannot be measured merely by history books,” Coetzee continued. “It lives in the character of this town, in the dignity of its people, and in the spirit and service that continue to guide us. The handover is not just the return of property—it is the return of recognition. It tells the community that your heritage is valued, your story is honoured, and your leadership remains part of Namibia’s journey,” he added.
Amid songs, speeches, and visible emotion, residents expressed gratitude and hope that the moment would strengthen unity and preserve the town’s proud history for generations to come.
-herdmann@nepc.com.na
Photo: Heather Erdmann