The Undefeated - Nama In Botswana (Part 2)

Our last instalment noted that the Nama community at Lokgwabe was founded by the legendary early 20th century Nama resistance figure Simon !Gomkab Kooper.

From 1863 until his death, Kooper was the head – “Gaob” or “Kaptein” - of the Kharakhoen (Kai//khuan) or “Fransmen” branch of the Nama (Namaqua or Nama-Khoe). 

While Kooper’s death and burial at Lokgwabe in January 1913 is documented, the date of his birth at Pella, located just south of the Orange River in what is now the Northern Cape is uncertain. One can, however, confirm that by the 1850s he was with his father Kaptein Piet Kooper in central Namibia.

Editor's Comment
Routine child vaccination imperative

The recent Vaccination Day in Motokwe, orchestrated through collaborative efforts between UNICEF, USAID, BRCS, and the Ministry of Health, underscores a commendable stride towards fortifying child health services.The painful reality as reflected by the Ministry of Health's data regarding the decline in routine immunisation coverage since the onset of the pandemic, is a cause for concern.It underscores the urgent need to address the...

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