Namibia: new visa requirements for non-reciprocating countries

Namibia will officially enforce its visa requirement for non-reciprocating countries from April 1, 2025, while also increasing the cost of visa fees for travellers from non-African Union (AU) Member States.

In May, Namibia’s Cabinet controversially approved the introduction of a visa requirement for 31 previously visa-exempt countries, including top tourism source markets such as Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Travellers from the affected countries will now be required to apply for a visa on arrival.

The implementation modalities were announced by Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) on social media on Saturday, June 29.

“Countries that have not reciprocated Namibia’s gesture of visa exemption will qualify for a visa on arrival and online application effective April 1, 2025,” the Ministry posted.

Industry concerns

A number of industry leaders have spoken out about this new visa requirement. This includes the SADC Business Council Tourism  Alliance that says it could severely hamper the country's tourism industry and economic growth.

According to a recent statement by the Council Alliance, this policy shift appears to contradict Namibia Airports Company’s recently launched air access strategy, “Air Connect Namibia”, aimed at increasing international flights and connectivity.

“A restrictive visa regime can negatively impact the entire tourism value chain,” says Natalia Rosa, Project Lead for the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance. “It hinders not only leisure travel but also business travel, conferences, events, education, and trade, thereby limiting overall economic growth and development,” she added.

Instead of tightening visa restrictions, said Rosa, Namibia could explore alternative solutions such as implementing more efficient visa processing systems (e.g. e-visas), targeted visa waivers for specific groups, or enhanced security measures at borders.

Gitta Paetzold, CEO of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), agreed, telling Tourism Update in response to the news last month that the decision flies in the face of significant strides made by the private sector and government to present Namibia as open, easily-accessible and welcoming to travellers and investors.

“For a number of years now, the Namibian tourism private sector and the MHAISS have collaborated in a concerted program to enhance Namibia’s attractiveness to both tourists and potential investors, easing Namibia's visa regime, introducing visas on arrival for some countries and adding to the list of visa-exempt countries,” said Paetzold.

Which countries are affected?

Effective from the same date, all travellers from non-AU countries will need to pay a N$1 600 (€82) visa fee.

The list of countries affected by the change is as follows:

Armenia

Austria

Azerbajian

Belarus

Belgium

Canada

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Moldova

Netherlands

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Ukraine

United Kingdom

United States of America

Uzbekistan

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South Africa: Emperor Alexander, Fusilier & Kakapo shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 25:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1835: Emperor Alexander, this wooden sailing vessel was condemned in Table Bay in the Western Cape. It had reportedly run aground at the Cape of Good Hope.

1865: Fusilier, this British sail-driven ship (rigging unknown) wrecked at the Bluff in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. It entered Durban looking for medical supplies and water as smallpox had broken out on board and claimed the lives of almost 200 people. Whilst anchored, its cables parted in a north-easterly gale and although sail was successfully made, it struck the rocks at the foot of the Bluff and wrecked. In total 20 Indian emigrants lost their lives when the ship went down. The survivors were quarantined at the Old Fort and guarded by the 99th Regiment.

1900: Kakapo, this steam-powered British freighter ran aground and wrecked at the southern end of Long Beach near Kommetjie on the southern peninsula in the Western Cape.

The Kakapo (1900) in 2023

It was on its maiden voyage, being delivered to its new owners, from England to Australia. During poor visibility in a north westerly gale, the captain reportedly mistook Chapman’s Peak for Cape Point and ran hard aground on to the beach.

The Kakapo (1900) in 2014

There was no loss of life as the crew came ashore safely. The captain refused to answer questions as to what led to the incident and did not let people on board. Several attempts were made to refloat the freighter at the time, but it proved impossible. There were rumours that someone lived on board for a few years afterwards as smoke could sometimes be seen coming from the funnel.

The Kakapo (1900) being swallowed by the sands, exact date unknown

Gradually though, winter storms pushed the vessel further inland. Later on, its steel plating was removed by the railway board after World War I and this was erected on Fish Hoek beach as a barrier to stop sand from blowing onto the railway lines. Today, the Kakapo’s structure remains visible, in situ, near where it wrecked, with the boiler and ribs a prominent sight. Locals and tourists alike can often be found posing around the remains, but caution is advised as the area is considered a high-crime area.

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South Africa: Oosterland, Waddingsveen, Ashleigh Brook, Itzehoe & Natal shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 24:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1697: Two Dutch East Indiamen, the Oosterland and Waddingsveen, were lost on the same day during a strong gale in Table Bay in the Western Cape, just north of the Salt River mouth.

Two examples of complete Chinese blue-and-white porcelain artifacts that were excavated from Oosterland. They date to the Kangxi period (1662–1722 CE) and were probably private trade goods

Reports vary, but it is believed that no more than 17 of the approximately 400 people that were on board both vessels survived. Both wrecks were subject to an archaeological excavation during the late 1980s/early 1990s. The excavations lead to the discovery of many artefacts that lay preserved under the shifting sands of Table Bay which, because of the artefacts being found in context by archaeologists, helped to further our knowledge of what life was like on board these ships and to give a clearer picture of what goods were being traded between Europe, Southern Africa and the Far East.

1890: Ashleigh Brook, this British iron steam-powered ship wrecked at Dassen Island in the Western Cape in the early hours of the morning.

1911: Itzehoe, this German steam-powered cargo ship ran aground and wrecked on the rocks at Cape Recife in the Eastern Cape. The tug Sir Frederick tried to pull it off, but this was to no avail.

The Itzehoe (1911), aground with the Cape Recife lighthouse in the background

When it became clear that the ship would be lost, lighters were dispatched to get most of the cargo off before the weather turned. It later broke its back and was slowly taken by the sea. Parts of the hull are still visible today and are found at a depth of about 7 m.

1914: Natal, this steam-powered Norwegian whaler ran aground and wrecked on Robben Island in the Western Cape while chasing whales in a thick fog.

1981: A SAAF Douglas DC-3 (registration no. 6878) was destroyed in a fire on this day at the Johannesburg-Rand Germiston Airport in Gauteng while it was being serviced.

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South Africa: Papa Risetto, Mabel, Seier & Sceptre shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage 

May 23:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1888: Papa Risetto, this Italian sailing barque foundered in a hurricane near Morgan's Bay in the Eastern Cape. The crew was rescued by the Myvanwy and taken to Durban.

1909: Mabel, this wooden British cutter capsized outside of Salamander Bay in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. Three people drowned during the wrecking.

1910: Seier, this wooden Norwegian sailing barque struck a rock west of Walker Point near Knysna and was beached two hours later in Buffalo Bay in the Western Cape. It was carrying creosote as cargo when it wrecked which harmed the marine live all the way from Sedgefield to Knysna.

1925: Sceptre, this steam-powered British cargo ship struck a submerged object at 21:10 the night of the 22nd near Struisbaai in the Western Cape.

A porcelain washbasin which was salvaged from the Sceptre (1925) and is on display at the Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum

At 09:30 on the 23rd the captain abandoned ship with his crew, and they were picked up by the SS Mineric and were landed at Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. As for the fate of the Sceptre, it came lose and ran aground, wrecking about 900 m off Northumberland Point and by the 27th had broken its back.

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South Africa: Sterrenschans, Zeeland, Badger, Alice, Sea Service, An-Hung 1, P1551 & Majimoto shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Karimona shipwreck in Namibia in 1978

May 22:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1793: A north-westerly gale struck Table Bay in the Western Cape and claimed two Dutch vessels on this day, leading both to wrecking on the shore:

• Sterrenschans, a brigantine (probably a ‘hoeker’);

• Zeeland, an East Indiaman

1833: Badger, this vessel wrecked in Simon's Bay in False Bay in the Western Cape. Very little is known about it.

1964: Alice, this motor-powered vessel was lost near Arniston in the Western Cape.

1988: Sea Service, this motor-powered launch foundered off Mouille Point in Table Bay in the Western Cape.

1990: An-Hung 1, this motor-powered Taiwanese trawler ran aground and wrecked after its engines failed at Gruis Beach, near Pearly Beach in the Western Cape.

2002: P1551, this motor-powered rescue launch encountered engine failure and drifted ashore, to become a wreck, near Scarborough off the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape.

2021: Majimoto, this South African yacht lost its rudder and wrecked just north of the Great Kei River Mouth in the Eastern Cape.

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South Africa: De Buys, Duinbeek, Flora, Goudriaan, Iepenrode, Paddenburg, Rodenrijs, Victoria, Westerwijk, Adele, Oakburn & Araxos shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 21:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1737: A north-westerly gale in Table Bay resulted in the wrecking of eight homeward bound, heavily laden Dutch East Indiaman vessels. These wrecks resulted in the combined loss of approximately 208 lives and £160,000 (a lot more in today’s money) worth of cargo. It is believed that this event’s heavy loss of life and cargo fuelled the need for the construction of Cape Town’s breakwater:

• De Buys, was driven ashore and wrecked near the Salt River mouth after its cables parted with only five survivors.

• Duinbeek, wrecked near the Salt River mouth with only a handful of survivors (exact number varies by source).

• Flora, wrecked near the Salt River mouth with only six of the crew of 140 surviving.

• Goudriaan, wrecked in the Salt River mouth without a loss of life.

• Iepenrode/Ypenrode, wrecked near the Salt River mouth with many lives being lost (exact number unknown but most sources list that the loss of life was great).

• Paddenburg, wrecked near the Salt River mouth with most of the crew surviving. A giant wave threw the Paddenburg over the other vessels that wrecked in the vicinity.

• Rodenrijs, wrecked near the Salt River mouth with the loss of six lives.

• Victoria, wrecked on Woodstock beach with nearly all the crew surviving. It was the smallest of the vessels that wrecked in the gale as it served as a packet in the Cape.

• Westerwijk, wrecked near the Salt River mouth with only a few lives being lost (exact number unknown).

1888: Adele, this South African sailing schooner's cables parted while loading guano and it ran ashore, wrecking on Dyer Island in the Western Cape.

1906: Oakburn, this steam-powered British cargo ship wrecked at 06:30 in thick fog due to a strong inset current near Duiker Point in the Western Cape. Two lives were lost during the wrecking event.

The Oakburn (1906) going under

On the 27th of June, 1994, the BOS 400 wrecked on top of the where the wreck of the Oakburn lies in Maori Bay. The Oakburn is deteriorating fast, with the BOS 400 slowly falling apart above it, and there is usually a strong surge, so much care should be taken when planning a dive on the site. The maximum depth on the Oakburn is about 22 m with many sections of the bow, and boilers still visible amongst the more modern wreckage of the BOS 400.

Structure of the Oakburn (1906) visible underneath the BOS 400

1972: Margaret A, this motor-powered South African fishing vessel ran aground and was lost near Morgan’s Bay in the Eastern Cape.

1979: Araxos, this motor-powered Greek freighter was scrapped in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape because of a fire that broke out in the crew’s quarters.

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South Africa: Prins Willem I, Elvira, Nebo & Mariposa shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 20:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1819: Prins Willem I, this wooden Dutch brig was struck by lightning and subsequently became a wreck after being stranded on Woodstock Beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape.

1855: Elvira, this wooden British sailing barque struck Robben Island during the night and then drifted onto the beach where it wrecked.

1884: Nebo, this steam-powered British freighter struck the northern edge of Aliwal shoal off KwaZulu-Natal at 8:20 in the morning.

Some diving charters advertise diving on the Nebo (1884) as one of the few wreck dives where there are so many fish

It was badly holed and foundered at around 12:00 just over 1 km from the Mahlongwa River mouth. Some reports indicate that two people drowned, but the Durban Port Captain reported no loss of life.

Divers around the stern section of the Nebo (1884), with the propeller

Over the coming weeks, thousands of railway sleepers washed up along the coastline. The wreck site can be dived and lies at around 27 m in depth, and forms part of the Aliwal Shoal dive sites. The wreck lies upside down with most of the large structure still intact which attracts much marine life.

1900: Mariposa, this British steel-hulled steam-powered vessel caught alight and burned with its cargo of hay for four days before being left to become a wreck in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.

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South Africa: La Maréchale, Meridian, La Souvenance & Basuto Coast shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 19:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history”

1660: La Maréchale, this wooden French sailing sloop wrecked in Table Bay in the Western Cape. It arrived on the 9th of May, but by the 16th, a north-westerly picked up which turned to a gale by the 18th. Then, on this day, all three of its anchor cables parted and it ran aground near the Salt river mouth. Although attempts were made to launch its boats and rafts, these were carried away as soon as they hit the water. A cask floated ashore containing letters which begged the VOC for help. Van Riebeeck sent assistance and by the following day, all on board were brought to safety and its cargo salved, with its cannons being used at the Castle. Some of its timbers were salved and used for construction before the remainder of the remains were burned on the 5th of March 1662. All members of the crew joined the service of the VOC and some of the passengers spent an entire year at the Cape before finding passage back to Europe. As far as we are aware, this is the only 17th Century French wreck on our coastline.

1828: Meridian, this wooden British sailing brig was lost on the East side of Silversand Bay, in Betty’s Bay in the Western Cape. It had come into Simon’s Bay for repairs and when it left for Table Bay, it somehow managed to wreck on the other side of False Bay.

1871: La Souvenance, this wooden French sailing barque wrecked on a reef near the Ratel River mouth in the Western Cape. After searching for several days for the wreck, it was eventually found after bodies had started to wash up on the nearby beaches. Not one survivor of the 420 people that were on board was found.

1954: Basuto Coast, this motor-powered South African coaster ran aground and wrecked during a storm at the swimming pool pavilion in Sea Point in the Western Cape.

The Basuto Coast (1954) after it ran aground

The vessel was cut up and removed within a few weeks. The wrecking resulted in the loss of one life, a fireman who fell off a ladder and drowned whilst trying to rescue those on board.

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South Africa: Farleton, Jane, Pacquet Real, Rambler, Thorne, Courier, Oostewal & Perelberg shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Shipwreck, Skeleton Coast, Namibia

May 18:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history” 

1818: A north-westerly gale blew into Table Bay in the Western Cape resulting in the wrecking of 4 vessels:

• Farleton, this British sailing brig was driven ashore, becoming a wreck and eventually breaking up.

• Jane, this British sailing snow was driven ashore near the castle, where it wrecked.

• Pacquet Real, this Portuguese brig (a slaver) was driven ashore and wrecked. It was on a voyage from Mozambique to the Bahamas with 167 enslaved people on board when it was put in quarantine in Table Bay. The gale drove it ashore where it broke up rapidly with a heavy loss of life. During the 1950s an excavation at Fort Knokke revealed a mass grave containing approximately 19 skeletons. These remains were analysed in 1996 and were thought to have been victims of this wreck.

• Rambler, this wooden British sailing schooner was driven ashore to become a wreck in Table Bay.

1831: Thorne, this wooden British sailing vessel wrecked after encountering thick fog near Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape.

1852: Courier, this wooden British sailing schooner ran ashore and wrecked near Imhoff Battery in Table Bay in the Western Cape after its cables parted in a north-westerly gale.

1954: Two motor-powered whalers, the Oostewal and Perelberg were driven ashore to become wrecks near Meeuw Island in the Langebaan Lagoon in the Western Cape. They were stationed at Donkergat before the whaling operations ceased.

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South Africa: Good Hope, Avenhoorn, Catherine Isabella, Eve, Shrimp, Shrimp, Josephine, Alacrity, Rubia, Lebu & Disa shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 17:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history” 

1685: Good Hope, this wooden British sailing ketch was driven onto the rocks by a squall while trying to warp over the bar to enter the bay at Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The 24 survivors constructed a decked boat, which nine men and the master used to reach Mozambique. Later, four were rescued by a British ketch that entered the bay looking for fresh meat, and of the remaining 10 people, five died of dysentery. The last five, after waiting ashore for nine months, were found by the survivors of the wrecks of the Bona Ventura (1686) and the Stavenisse (1686). Together the survivors, using the remains of the Good Hope, built the boat Centaurus over the next eight months. With three of the survivors of the Good Hope wreck staying behind because they enjoyed life with the local people, the rest left for the Cape of Good Hope on the 17th of February 1687. On the first of March 1687, they safely arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Governor at the time, Simon van der Stel, had the Centaurus refitted and sent back to look for more survivors of other wrecks. 

1788: Avenhoorn, this Dutch East Indiaman wrecked at night in a north-westerly gale on Woodstock beach in Table Bay in the Western Cape. 

1845: A north-westerly gale claimed two vessels off the west coast in the Western Cape: 

• Catherine Isabella, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked when its cables parted, just north of the Olifantsriver mouth. One man drowned whilst trying to land. 

• Eve, this wooden British sailing brig’s cables parted and it wrecked at Paternoster. 

1854: Shrimp, this sailing schooner was lost near Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape. 

1855: Josephine, this sailing schooner wrecked on rocks about 16km west of Cape Recife in the Eastern Cape. 

1857: Maria, this South African sailing barque, a sealer registered in Cape Town, wrecked after its cables parted in a storm on the eastern side of the Prince Edwards Islands. The crew was marooned on the island and only returned to Cape Town seven months later.  

1865: The Great Gale of 1865

A historical image depicting the aftermath of the Great Gale of 1865 in Table Bay

On the 17th May 1865 a severe storm blew into the southern Cape of South Africa. Cape Town and the ships sheltering in or near Table Bay were badly affected with at least 15 vessels believed to have wrecked and at least 60 people losing their lives as a result. Photos of the aftermath of the storm depict the devastation caused to the ships and show many of them stranded high on the beach or wrecked in the waters: 

• Alacrity, a British sailing barque, wrecked beyond the military hospital, no lives lost.

• RMS Athens, an iron British steam-and-sail-driven mail ship (barque), wrecked between Mouille Point and Green Point. All 30 that were on board drowned. Wreckage is still visible at the site, at an average depth of about 7m, but it has becoming heavily encrusted with marine life.

Wreck of the R.M.S. Athens (1865) in Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, illustrated London News (29 July 1865)

• Benjamin Miller, a sailing schooner, wrecked with no loss of life.

• City of Peterborough, a British sailing barque, wrecked in an area which is now part of the Royal Cape Yacht Basin. It was reported that the cries of the people on board could be heard from the shore, but that they could not be helped. All 18 that were on board were lost including the captain, his wife, and child.

Another historical image depicting the aftermath of the Great Gale of 1865 in Table Bay

• Clipper, a wooden sailing schooner, wrecked with no loss of life.

• Deane, a British sailing barque, wrecked with no loss of life.

• Esther, a German sailing brig, wrecked on Woodstock beach with no loss of life.

• Fernande, a Danish sailing schooner, wrecked near the castle, with no loss of life.

• Isabel, a British sailing schooner, wrecked near the castle, with no loss of life.

• Jane, a British sailing brig, wrecked opposite the castle.

• Kehrweider, a German sailing brig, wrecked with a cargo of timber, with no loss of life. Its captain, Johann Parow was taken care of by a family, and he married the family’s only daughter, Johanna Timmerman. They eventually moved north of Cape Town and started selling land in the Tyger Valley area, with the area now having captain Parow as its namesake.

• Royal Arthur, a British sailing barque, wrecked with a cargo of timber, with no loss of life.

• Stag, a British steam-powered cargo ship, was lost whilst rendering assistance to other vessels in distress, with the loss of 12 lives.

• Star of the West, an iron British sailing barque, wrecked with no lives lost.

• Water Kelpie, a sailing cutter, wrecked with no lives lost.

1899: Lebu, this iron Norwegian sailing barque foundered after striking wreckage off Cape Recife in the Eastern Cape. All on board were rescued by the tug Sir Frederick.

1901: Rubia, this wooden Norwegian sailing barque wrecked near Cove Rock, near East London in the Eastern Cape. It was run ashore after it was discovered that it was leaking. All seven on board lost their lives during the wrecking. The alternative date of wrecking is reported to be on the 4th of May.

1943: Northmoor, this steam-powered British cargo ship was sunk by the German submarine U-198 off Port Edward in KwaZulu-Natal. Eleven crew and one gunner were lost with the survivors being picked up by HMS St. Loman and landed at Durban.

The Northmoor (1943) in Vancouver, Canada, date unknown

1958: Disa, this motor-powered South African fishing vessel was scuttled in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape.

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South Africa: Drietal Handelaars, Alicia Jane, Tonga, Queen, R A C Smith, Gilia & New Mexico shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 16:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history” 

1789: Drietal Handelaars, this wooden Dutch Frigate dragged its anchors in a south-easterly gale and wrecked on rocks in False Bay in the Western Cape.

A pen drawing of the Drietal Handelaars (1789), finished as a watercolour, in 1789 by Hendrik Jansen Nagtegaal

1845: Alicia Jane, this wooden sailing brig was loading guano when its cables parted in a north-westerly gale and it was blown ashore on Paternoster beach in the Western Cape where it is assumed to have become a wreck.

1875: Tonga, this wooden British sailing schooner was driven onto rocks just north of the Lovu/Illovu River in KwaZulu-Natal. After being salvaged, a small store was erected near the stream where it wrecked, and its cargo was sold to locals who came from far and wide. It is believed that this is the reason the area today is called “Winkelspruit”, which translates from Afrikaans to ‘stream-store.’

1882: Queen, this South African sailing schooner was transporting a cargo of grain when it wrecked near Hondeklipbaai (Hondeklip Bay) in the Northern Cape.

1898: R A C Smith, this wooden American sailing barquentine wrecked on account of a faulty compass in very heavy weather near the Sundays River mouth in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. The captain and second mate were lost during the wrecking event.

1973: Gilia, this motor-powered fishing vessel collided with the Oceano Antarctico about 10 km west of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape and the Gilia promptly foundered.

1988: An Avex Dornier DO.28D Skyservant (registration no. ZS-PRW) encountered engine failure over Mossel Bay in the Western Cape and during the forced landing, struck the roof of a house, with the airplane crashing and being written off. The fates of any occupants are unknown.

An image of ZS-PRW, date and location unknown

2002: New Mexico, this South African fishing vessel wrecked on Dassen Island off the west coast in the Western Cape.

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South Africa: Soudan & Gulliver shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 15:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history” 

1942: Soudan, this British steam-powered cargo ship sunk after striking a mine which was most likely laid by the Doggerbank, off Cape Agulhas in the Western Cape. One life was lost because of this event.

The Soudan (1942), date and location unknown

1948: City of Durban, this Mercury Aviation Services Douglas DC-3 (registration no. ZS-BWY) crashed into Spitzberg, near the town of Vrede in the Free State during bad weather. All thirteen occupants died in the crash.

City of Durban/Mercury Airways Douglas DC-3 (ZS-BWY) crash site

City of Durban/Mercury Airways Douglas DC-3 (ZS-BWY) in what is believed to be modern day Namibia, from the National Archives of Namibia

1986: Gulliver, this South African yacht wrecked near Slangkop Lighthouse in Kommetjie, on the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape.

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South Africa: Endeavor, Balaklava & Lizzie shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

Elena V shipwreck near Luderitz, Namibia

May 14:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history” 

1812: Endeavor, this British sailing sloop wrecked in St. Helena Bay in the Western Cape. 

1867: Balaklava, this wooden barque struck Roman Rock and sank shortly thereafter in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. The crew tried to get it to safety and a tug carrying a special pump from the fire brigade was on its way when it suddenly started sinking. The tug managed to rescue all on board. 

1885: Lizzie, this steam-powered British mail tender wrecked on the west bank of the Buffalo River, near the breakwater in East London in the Eastern Cape.

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South Africa: George, Essex, Regular, River Plate & Thames/SATS General Botha shipwrecks

SAHRA Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage

May 13:

“This day in our shipwreck and aeronautical wreck history” 

1831: George, this wooden sailing cutter parted its cables in a gale and ran ashore at about 16:00, becoming a total wreck, on Dyer Island in the Western Cape. 

1832: Essex, this wooden British whaler wrecked in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. An alternative date of wrecking is given as the 22nd of June. 

1843: Regular, this wooden sailing vessel sprang a leak and was abandoned before running aground and becoming a wreck in Table Bay in the Western Cape. 

1878: River Plate, this sailing schooner was lost while attempting to enter Buffeljagsbaai, west of Quoin Point in the Western Cape. 

1947: Thames/SATS General Botha, this steam-powered South African cruiser was scuttled by gunfire in False Bay in the Western Cape. It was laid down in 1884 for the Royal Navy as the HMS Thames and was sold to a South African entrepreneur in 1920, who bought it in memory of his son who had died in the First World War.

The view of a diver at the bow of the SATS General Botha (1947) at about 54 m in depth

He named it General Botha and donated it to a trust with the stipulation that it be used for nautical training for those who would go on to serve on ships of the British Empire. During the Second World War the Royal Navy chartered the vessel and it assumed its previous name of HMS Thames, now serving as an accommodation and prison ship.

The SATS General Botha (1947) docked in Simon's Town, date unknown (pre-1925)

When it was returned to the trust, it was deemed uneconomical to repair and was scuttled in a naval exercise using gunfire, in the middle of False Bay in the Western Cape.

The SATS General Botha (1947) Memorial Plaque in Cape Town honoring those that were lost in the Second World War that were trained on the ship

The wreck site is known as the SATS General Botha and sits in just over 50 m deep water accessible to technical divers, but also tragically known for having claimed the lives of divers. To learn more about this ship, why not visit the South African Naval Museum in Simon’s Town as they have a permanent exhibition on it!

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