Staff Reporter
THE commemoration of the Battle of Sam Khubis continued in Rehoboth today, marking the 1915 battle between the German colonial army and the Baster community, who had fled to their last stronghold at Sam Khubis in fear of total annihilation by the German forces.
Although the battle occurred on 8 May 1915, it has been officially commemorated since 1977.
The conflict originated when German colonial authorities breached the Baster Corps agreement, which assured the Basters that their military unit would serve only within Rehoboth and not be used against South African forces.
However, they were forced to guard South African prisoners of war and patrol the Walvis Bay border—then South African territory. In response, Kaptein Cornelius van Wyk and several council members met with a South African general in Swakopmund, seeking to explain their coerced cooperation with the Germans and their unwillingness to engage in conflict with South African forces.
Tensions escalated in April 1915, when the German authorities demanded that Baster troops be deployed to Otjiwarongo to guard prisoners of war. They gave the Baster Council a three-day ultimatum: comply or surrender all weapons. Meanwhile, German forces began secretly disarming Baster soldiers at Sandputs, leading to an escape attempt in which one soldier was killed and another fled to alert the council. Simultaneous disarmament efforts took place in Rehoboth, sparking armed skirmishes and casualties on both sides.
The Baster Council travelled to Windhoek in an attempt to de-escalate the conflict but were denied an audience. Upon their return, German troops occupied Rehoboth as the Baster population fled towards the western and southern borders. On 22 April 1915, the German authorities declared the 1885 Treaty null and void and deployed additional troops to the region.
As a result, many Baster families fled to Sam Khubis, approximately 80 km southwest of Rehoboth, which was seen as a defensible refuge. Many were killed during the flight, including several of Kaptein van Wyk’s children, who were murdered by German forces.
On the morning of 8 May 1915, German troops launched an attack on Sam Khubis, where about 800 armed Basters stood in defence of their people. The battle raged until evening, and though the Basters feared defeat and annihilation the following day, the German forces unexpectedly withdrew, leaving the Basters relieved and hopeful.
People gathered at the Sam Khubis site yesterday and today to commemorate the occasion with ceremonies focused on reflection, prayer, sermons, choir singing, wreath-laying, and moments of silence.
