• Jonker Afrikaner founded ‘Winterhoek’ •
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From the 1820s onwards, advancing OvaHerero and OvaMbanderu encountered Naman groups in the centre of what is now Namibia. This led to conflicts over water sources, grazing areas and livestock.
The Kaiǁkhaun Naman (‘Red Nation’), who were living in the area at the time, were particularly affected. Kaiǁkhaun Kaptein (also: Gaob, Chief) ǁOaseb called on Kaptein Jonker Afrikaner (also known as ǀHara-mûb or ǀHôa-ǀaramab) for help.
Jonker was the youngest son of Kaptein Jager Afrikaner (ǀHôaǀarab), who helped build the fortified settlement of ǁKhauxa!nas in 1798. He moved north with part of the Afrikaner Oorlam.
Jonker obtained horses, rifles, ammunition and ox carts from traders in the Cape Colony. He paid mainly with cattle, which were in high demand in the growing colony.
With his powerful troop (‘komando’), tactical skills and alliances, Jonker prevailed in conflicts with other Nama and Oorlam groups. He captured cattle and also collected tribute, enabling him to continue to supply himself with weapons and ammunition. His successes earned him more and more followers.
By 1840, Jonker Afrikaner was considered the most powerful Kaptein in Great Namaqualand. The request for help from Kaiǁkhaun Kaptein ǁOaseb in the conflict with OvaHerero and OvaMbanderu probably came at an opportune moment for him.
Because both had large herds of cattle and small livestock. They were also unmounted and armed only with throwing club and spear, as well as bow and arrow. This made it easy for Jonker’s ‘komandos’ to drive off their livestock. At the same time, they pushed the OvaHerero back north.
Winterhoek became a centre of trade and power
In 1840, Jonker Afrikaner settled in a valley north of the Auas Mountains. Hot springs on a hillside provided tasty water all year round. In Namagowab, the place was called |Aeǁgams (hot water), while the OvaHerero referred to it as Otjomuise (place of steam).
But Jonker named the place ‘Winterhoek’ (Afrikaans: winter corner). Perhaps because it reminded him of the Winterhoek Mountains near his birthplace Tulbagh in the Cape Colony. ‘Winterhoek’ soon became ‘Windhoek’ (Afrikaans: wind(y) corner).
The settlement was located where Klein Windhoek is today. In 1842, around 2,000 people lived there. Jonker Afrikaner had a chapel built and, as no missionary was assigned to him, conducted church services himself.
During the 1840s, ‘Winterhoek’/Windhoek grew and developed into a centre of trade and power. It was situated at the intersection of two trade routes and in the centre of Great Namaqualand and Hereroland regions.
Sources:
Jonker Afrikaner, founder of ‘Winterhoek’, which was located in the valley of present-day Klein Windhoek. Woodcut after a drawing by Charles Andersson, printed in his book “Lake Ngami” (1856), p. 235. Source: PDF download on Darwin-Online.org.uk
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