21 facts you didn't know about Namibia

21 facts you didn't know about Namibia

1. Namibia is home to the Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world, estimated to be between 55 million and 80 million years old.

2. The country gained independence from South Africa on March 21, 1990, making it one of the last African countries to gain independence.

3. Namibia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, with a population of about 2.5 million people spread over a vast area.

4. The Fish River Canyon, located in the south of Namibia, is the second-largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon.

5. Namibia is the first country in the world to include the protection of the environment and wildlife conservation into its constitution.

6. The capital and largest city of Namibia is Windhoek, situated in the country's central highlands.

7. The Skeleton Coast, stretching from the Swakopmund to the Angolan border, is named for the whale and seal bones that once littered the shore, as well as the shipwrecks caused by the treacherous offshore rocks and fog.

8. The Himba, an indigenous group of semi-nomadic herders, are known for their unique culture and the red ochre and fat mixture (otjize) that they apply to their skin and hair.

9. Namibia is one of only two countries in the world (the other being Mali) that has desert-adapted elephants, which have evolved behaviors to survive in the arid environment.

10. The country has a high level of biodiversity and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the largest free-roaming population of black rhinos.

11. Namibia's Etosha National Park is one of Africa's major wildlife sanctuaries, famous for its salt pan so large it can be seen from space.

12. The Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop consists of about 250 specimens of Aloe dichotoma, a type of aloe that is endemic to the southern African region.

13. German is widely spoken in Namibia due to its past as a German colony (German South West Africa) from 1884 until the end of World War I in southern Africa in 1915.

14. The Twyfelfontein area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains one of the largest concentrations of rock engravings in Africa, with some of the carvings dating back to 6,000 years.

15. The Tropic of Capricorn crosses through Namibia, making it one of the countries situated on this imaginary line that marks the southern boundary of the tropics.

16. Namibia was the first African country to export beef to the United States, meeting the strict quality standards required for the American market.

17. The Namibian dollar (NAD) is pegged 1:1 to the South African rand (ZAR), and both currencies are legal tender in Namibia.

18. Walvis Bay, located on the coast, is one of the few deep-water harbors on the African continent and serves as a vital point for maritime trade.

19. The Brandberg Mountain, Namibia's highest peak, contains the famous "White Lady" rock painting, believed to be around 2,000 years old.

20. The Spitzkoppe, sometimes referred to as the "Matterhorn of Namibia," is a group of bald granite peaks or inselbergs located in the Namib Desert.

21. The Caprivi Strip, a narrow extension of land in the northeast of Namibia, provides vital access to the Zambezi River and several of Africa's national parks across neighboring countries.

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Namibia: Neckartal Dam near Keetmanshoop

The Neckartal Dam is the largest dam in Namibia, covering a surface area of about 25 km2. The dam, located 40 kilometers northwest of Keetmanshoop, is a crucial resource for supporting future agri-tourism projects in the region.

The Neckartal Dam, nicknamed the Desert Dragon, is a dam located in the ǁKaras Region of southern Namibia. It is a curved gravity dam on the Fish River near Berseba, 40 kilometres north-west of the regional capital Keetmanshoop. Construction started in 2013 and was initially expected to finish in 2017. Since its completion in 2018, it is the largest dam in Namibia, more than three times the capacity of the Hardap Dam upstream. The dam's purpose is to support a 5,000 hectares irrigation scheme nearby.

Construction

The idea to construct a dam near Keetmanshoop already came up during the era of German colonialisation. Upon Namibian independence in 1990, the planning slowly came into motion. Although hailed as a promising job creation project, particularly after commission due to the purpose as an irrigation dam, there were doubts over the necessity to build it. Naute Dam in the same area, likewise an irrigation dam, is under-utilised. However, for an irrigation scheme of 5,000 hectares as envisaged for the Neckartal Dam, Naute Dam was deemed too small.

Italian company Salini Impregilo was awarded the 2.8 billion Namibian dollar tender to build the dam in March 2012. After a legal challenge by one competitor, the tender was withdrawn but re-awarded to the same company in August 2013. Construction started within a month. Originally planned to take 3 years, the project has been delayed by a court case and labour unrest. Its completion occurred in October 2018, after which the filling-up phase was expected to last another two years. The dam overflowed for the first time on 19 January 2021 after an exceptionally good rainy season.

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Namibia: Hiking season starts at Fish River Canyon

Hiking season starts at Fish River Canyon

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, in collaboration with Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), have announced that there is sufficient water in the Fish River Canyon for the upcoming hiking season in May.

NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala said this in a press release.

“We are pleased to announce that, following a thorough appraisal of water resources in Fish River Canyon, there is sufficient water available for the upcoming hiking season.

“This means hikers can look forward to a rewarding experience,” he said.

Ashipala said water marshals will be stationed at strategic points along the hiking routes, including King Palace and Bushy Corner, to ensure the safety and well-being of all hikers.

“These marshals are part of our commitment to providing a secure and enjoyable hiking environment,” he said.

NWR will also launch a new Responsible Hiking Campaign, starting next week.

“Our social media channels will feature valuable tips on hiking preparation, safety and environmental responsibility,” said Ashipala, adding that these tips are designed to enhance the hiking experience, while preserving the natural beauty of the environment.

“We encourage all interested hikers to stay tuned to our social media platforms and to prepare themselves for a memorable adventure in one of Namibia’s most breathtaking landscapes,” he said.

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Namibia: St. Stanislaus Cathedral in Keetmanshoop

KEETMANSHOOP

St. Stanislaus Cathedral

HISTORY OF THE PARISH

In 1912 Fr. J. Malinowski OSFS visited Keetmanshoop. Before returning to Heirachabis he baptized Oskar, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. V. Plichta. This child later became the father of Oskar V. Plichta, or "Hampie" as he was known to everybody. After the Independence of Namibia, Hampie was elected as Mayor of Keetmanshoop. He was later appointed to the Cabinet and served in the Central Government as Minister of Works, Transport and Communication.

In 1909 Fr. P. Gineiger OSFS visited Keetmanshoop, while in the same year Fr. Stanislaus von Krolikowski OSFS was named Apostolic Prefect of Great Namaqualand. Fr. F. X. Lipp OSFS arrived in Keetmanshoop on 9 October 1909 and stayed for three days. In the ELC School he celebrated Holy Mass for the Catholic soldiers.

In May 1910 Fr. Gineiger came a second time and in 1911 he was here for Easter, while Fr. Lipp came in December to visit the soldiers.

In May 1912 Msgr. von Krolikowski and Fr. Gineiger travelled to Windhoek, Rehoboth, Gibeon and Gochas. On their way back they stopped at Keetmanshoop and lodged in the house of a certain Mr. Ehrel. The chemist shop of Mr. Strauss was also in this building; both he and his wife were Catholics. The Fathers hired three small rooms, with the idea of buying the whole house later on, where Fr. Gineiger could start a mission, but this plan did not succeed.

On 10 October 1912 Fr. Lipp arrived and took up his residence in the three empty little rooms. At that time there were 116 Catholics in the town, of whom 32 were soldiers. In one of these rooms Fr. Lipp celebrated Holy Mass on 13 October. Seventeen people were present, including two soldiers.

In June 1913 plans were made to build a presbytery and a chapel. This first church was dedicated to St. Stanislaus and blessed by Msgr. von Krolikowski on 4 January 1914. On 8 February 1914 he established the parish of Saint Stanislaus.

When war broke out in August 1914, many people living in the south were obliged to trek northwards. Thus it happened that the OSFS Sisters and the people of Heirachabis and surroundings arrived at Keetmanshoop. Four Sisters started to work in the hospital, while Fr. Auner OSFS traveled further to Maltahöhe with the people of Heirachabis and their herds. In April 1915 most of the inhabitants of Keetmanshoop had to leave the town, including the Sisters and the hospital staff. Fr. Lipp refused to leave Keetmanshoop, as he had heard how the missions in the south were destroyed and plundered once everyone had left.

On 20 April 1915 the South-African forces commanded the town. All lights had to be extinguished after 8.00pm.; every German to report himself every day. Thanks to Fr. Lipp's intercession, the plan to send all Germans away, was stopped; he also ensured that the indigenous population would not be harassed.

Fr. Sollier OSFS, who was the military chaplain at Upington, arrived on horseback and stayed eight days with Fr. Lipp. The wounded who arrived had much to suffer as food was scarce and in the hospital there was not even one bed. Fr. Lipp visited them night and day.

On 7 July 1915 came the news that peace had been declared. The Sisters returned from Windhoek; their journey back to Heirachabis by ox-wagon took six weeks. Fr. Auner trekked back to the south with his people and the herds. At Heirachabis they found that everything had been destroyed or stolen. The Sisters stayed in the school.

Starting in January 1916, Fr. Lipp visited Aus every second month where there were two military camps: Catholic German soldiers were interned in one camp, while in the other their English/South African guards lived. He visited both camps. On 4 April 1919 he blessed the graves of all the soldiers of the two camps who had died during the 1918 influenza epidemic.

Fr. Lipp left for Rehoboth on 3 October 1922 to start a new mission there. Fr. Zettl takes his place in Keetmanshoop. In the same year the Sisters' house in the town is built; in 1926 a kitchen and dining-rooms are built and the convent is extended. Catholic children attending the schools in the town, are taken in as boarders.

In 1927 while Msgr. M. Eder OSFS is Apostolic Prefect, the Seat of the Prefecture is moved from Heirachabis to Keetmanshoop.

In 1928 Fr. J. Hyls OSFS is the parish priest of St. Stanislaus while Fr. Rehor goes to the new mission at OLPH where the first baptisms take place in 1929.

Thus Keetmanshoop becomes the centre of the Vicariate not only on the map but also in the spiritual and pastoral sense. Hardly a day goes by without visits from Fathers, Sisters or others, on their way to other missions or in order to consult the Bishop.

On 11 January 1932 Fr. Hyls and Sr. Emilie-Constance leave for Tschaunaup to start a new mission there.

Fr. J. Eich OSFS succeeds Bishop Klemann as Bishop in 1942. He decides to start collecting funds to build a cathedral, for he says Keetmanshoop is the only place in Southern Africa where there is a bishop but no cathedral. On 13 May 1954 Bishop Esser laid the cornerstone. On 17 June the altar in the crypt was consecrated. Mother Edelburgis MSC donated the Stations of the Cross in November, while in February of the following year the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was placed in the tower. This was a gift of the Mother-General of the OSFS Sisters.

In April 1956 Bishop Esser is transferred to Keimoes Diocese, while Fr. E.J. Schlotterback OSFS of Onseepkans is appointed as new Bishop of Keetmanshoop. On 20 June, after lunch, Bishop Esser, assisted by Fr. M. Janssen, blesses the new cathedral.

In 1957 the OSFS Sisters at St. Stanislaus decide to open a kindergarten. Within a month they have 20 children in the kindergarten and 32 children in the school hostel.

In May 1964 the crucifix and the accompanying angels for the cathedral were received. The sculptor was the famous Austrian Josef Furthner (1890-1971). This was his last work.

On 12 June 1994, while the Cathedral is being repaired, the hall which was originally the first church of St. Stanislaus, is again used for church purposes. The RENEW program is launched in the Diocese when Bishop celebrates Holy Mass at the Stadium on 14 August 1994. On 27 June 1995 the Cathedral is once again in use.

The official opening of the Centenary of the Catholc Church in Namibia takes place on 28 January 1996. On the same day Bishop Antonio consecrates the Cathedral and the altar. Archbishop Haushiku and Bishop Shikongo are also present.

In May 1997 Fr. Klaus Lettner comes to Keetmanshoop.  He is a Fidei Donum priest from the Diocese of Regensburg. Bishop Antonio appoints him as priest- in-charge of St. Stanislaus parish.

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Namibia: Rhenish Mission Church - historical museum, Keetmanshoop

Rhenish Mission Church, Keetmanshoop

Keetmanshoop

The Rhenish Mission Society played an important part in the development of Keetmanshoop, where Nama Kaptein Tseib and his followers had settled in 1866.

The Rhenish Mission Society played an important part in the development of Keetmanshoop, where Nama Kaptein Tseib and his followers had settled in 1866. The name of the settlement was then still Swartmodder or Zwartmorast (which respectively mean “black mud” and “black marsh”).

The missionary Dr Carl Hugo Hahn had requested the Society to establish a mission station here. The erection of the first church was made possible by a private donation of 1,000 gold Marks from the chairman of the Rhenish Mission Society in Germany, a certain Mr Johann Keetman, in 1866. Since Keetman had invested a considerable amount, not only of money, but also of hope in the project, the village was named Keetmanshoop (literally, “Keetman’s hope”) after him.

This first church was built by Rev. Tobias Fenchel. It was situated near the original spring in the Aub River from which Swartmodder had received its name. The church was washed away when the river came down in flood after a heavy rain in 1890, since nobody new that the shallow ground on which it stood was actually a dry river bed. The wooden pulpit and the altar Bible were later recovered downstream.

It was then decided that a stone church should be built. The site on which the church was to be erected was donated to the Rhenish Mission Society by Captain Tseib. The building materials were transported from Angra Pequena (now Lüderitz) by ox wagon. Rev. Tobias Fenchel, who supervised the construction, chose the church in his home town in Germany, namely Gambach, as the example for this one.

The Nama members of the congregation helped to construct the church, which was consecrated on 8 May 1895. It was situated on higher ground than the first church, and was spacious enough to accommodate up to 1,000 people. This church still stands today, and is the oldest building in Keetmanshoop.

The Rhenish Mission Church is situated in Sam Nujoma Avenue in Keetmanshoop. It was proclaimed a national monument on 9 June 1978.

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Namibia: Goibib Mountain Lodge - The newest member of The Portfolio

The newest member of The Portfolio, Goibib Mountain Lodge!

Goibib is your guest farm experience in the heart of the great Karas Mountains.

The south of Namibia is known for its wide-open vistas and seemingly endless bright blue skies, and Goibib Mountain Lodge is no exception.

Goibib is the perfect base to explore the wonders of the far south of Namibia, including the world famous Fish River Canyon and adjoining Ai-Ais hot springs, as well as the Brukkaros Mountain, a volcanic caldera 100 kilometers north-northwest of Keetmanshoop, where a hiking trail will lead you to the ridge of the mountain, and the abandoned solar observatory that was constructed in 1926.

Other must-see highlights in this area include the Quiver Tree Forest, where about 250 specimens of this indigenous plant, named for the fact that the San people historically used the hollowed-out branches to store their arrows, and the Giant’s Playground, an exposed dolerite formation estimated to be 160 million years old, that has the appearance of massive toy building blocks having been stacked in piles.

One of Goibib Mountain Lodge’s unique features is that it is located on a working farm, with a breeding herd of Nguni cattle - highly sought after the world over for their unique pelts, where each animal’s colouration and pattern is one-of-a-kind (much like a fingerprint).

Goibib Mountain Lodge is a tranquil hideaway in the heart of the Great Karas Mountains in Southern Namibia, and an extremely easy drive from either north or south along the Windhoek to Cape Town main road.

Simply take the B1 and drive until you see the sign on the west side of the road, between Grunau and Keetmanshoop!

Rather than being pursued by the Big Five or chased by stampeding herds of animals, bring your camera and capture all things great and small macro-photography brings the little things to light - or explore the night life with fluorescent light and discover the nocturnal world around us.

The Lodge has much to offer but for Guests with the time, and wishing to explore the local region there is also much to explore within a relatively short distance from the Lodge - mostly within a two hour drive.

Goibib Mountain Lodge offers its guests a dream come true holiday with the time to peacefully view many species of antelope and other wildlife that inhabit the veld. The peace and tranquility is enthralling and guests quickly realise that this is pristine nature at its finest. An Added Bonus Is That the region is malaria-free.

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Namibia: Canyon Road House Camping - Fish River Canyon

Canyon Road House Camping

Camping sites are located on the bank of a dry riverbed, offer shared ablutions and washing up areas built out of natural stone. Each camp site has a power point and also it's own barbeque place. Campers are able to use the lodge facilities.

The camping sites are set behind Canyon Road House. Sites are shady, situated on the bank of a dry riverbed, against a backdrop of rocky hills. Secreted away from the road, the camp gives the impression of being alone out in the nature with the eagles, thorn trees and the ancient beat of the land and you even may be able to hear the call of the great Fish River Canyon, 14 kilometres away.

One of the very few Fish River Canyon camping destinations, Canyon Road Camp offers the luxuries of civilisation whilst out in the wilderness and the nature supplies the rest. Campers can enjoy simple pleasures of life on the doorstep of the second largest canyon in the world.

Facilities

- 12 camping sites with shared ablution facilities and power points, max 10 persons per camp site

- Restaurant

- Bar

- Curio shop

- Cold water swimming pool

- Mobile connectivity

- Secure parking (at main lodge)

- WI-FI available (at main lodge)

Amenities

- Power points

- Barbeque facilities

- Hot/cold water

- Wheelchair friendly

- Shared ablution facilities

- Shade or trees

- No pets allowed

- Wood available at the reception at additional cost

- Lights

Children are welcome

Children up to 5 years old are free of charge, children between the age of 6 and 13 years pay 50 percent of the camping rate. 13 years and older: adult rates.

Transfers

Go2 Traveller Transfers

Departure point: Kalahari Anib Lodge

Destinations: Canyon Lodge (via Canyon Road House)

Rate per person one way: on request

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Namibia: Remains of tourist discovered in Fish River Canyon

Remains of tourist discovered in Fish River Canyon

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has reported an incident in which the remains of a tourist that had been hiking in the Fish River Canyon were discovered today.

NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala said the hiker was discovered six kilometres from the finishing point.

"All we can say right now is that they came in on 12 September and they went hiking, we don't know how many they were or which country they are from, we are still working on establishing those details.

“Details are very sketchy at the moment but there are teams on the ground busy with searches," said Ashipala.

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Колчанное дерево Намибии | Quiver Tree

Колчанное дерево Намибии

Колчанное дерево (Aloidendron dichotomum) растет в южной части Намибии. Это древовидное растение рода алоэ, которое может адаптироваться к сухому и жаркому климату страны. Средняя высота взрослого дерева составляет около 5 м.

Колчанное дерево, известное коренным народам сан как чойе, получило свое английское общее название из-за практики людей сан выдалбливать трубчатые ветви Aloidendron dichotomum, чтобы сформировать колчаны для своих стрел. Видовой эпитет «дихотомический» относится к тому, как стебли многократно разветвляются на два («дихотомическое» ветвление) по мере роста растения. Этот вид был перемещен в род Aloidendron как Aloidendron dichotomum в 2013 году.

Одним из немногих примеров спонтанных лесов A. dichotomum является лес Quiver Tree Forest примерно в 14 км к северу от города Китмансхуп в Намибии. Другой расположен в провинции Северный Кейп в Южной Африке в Ганнабосе.

На большей части своего ареала этот вид находится в упадке. Моделирование Aloidendron dichotomum в Южной Африке и Намибии способствовало пониманию потребностей охраняемых территорий в ответ на изменение климата. Смоделированное сокращение ареала этого вида из-за изменения климата недавно было подтверждено полевыми исследованиями.

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Namibia: Goibib Mountain Lodge news

Nestled in the Karas Mountains, with the dry Goibib River ‘running’ through the property, Goibib Mountain Lodge is a tranquil hideaway between Grunau and Keetmanshoop, just off the A1 road between Cape Town and Windhoek.

Goibib is ideally located to be used either as a base for exploring the highlights of Southern Namibia: The Fish River Canyon, Quiver Tree Forest, Giant’s Playground and the volcanic crater at Brukkaros or while away an idyllic afternoon at the pool.

Or you can bring your camera and capture this pristine environment with a variety of wildlife both great and small as well as a sizable herd of majestic Nguni cattle. From wide-angle landscape shots to close-up, macro-photography, which brings the little things to light, the area is a photographer’s dream. The curious can even explore the nightlife with fluorescent light and discover the nocturnal world around us.

Updates are as follows: 

° One wheelchair friendly en-suite room with amenities. 

° 6 campsites for the wild at heart, which can be setup with tents for you should you not have your own equipment.

° Self-guided hiking, the trails have been mapped out for guests to go at their leisure.

° Self-drive Expeditions, the "explorer by heart" guest can explore the scenic beauty of the surroundings with their vehicles and own pace .. why not ask the lodge to pack a delicious picnic hamper for their excursion.

° Nature Drives, guided by experienced guides, enjoy the view from the comfort of our four wheel drive vehicles.

° - depart at 08h00 (all year round)

° Sundowner Nature Drive, where your eyes will feast on Namibia's famous sunsets, with the chances of seeing nocturnal animal life as night falls on the way back to the lodge.

° - depart at 16h00 (all year round)

° Night Drive, departing 20h00 after dinner, with a cosy blanket and the fresh Namibian air, viewing small predators and night animals that come out of hiding (about 2 hours duration)

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Namibia: Neckertal Dam & Theodor Rehbock

Neckertal Dam & Theodor Rehbock

If one were to build a solid concrete wall one meter high and one meter wide from Cape Town past Keetmanshoop in the south of Namibia, one would need the same amount of concrete that was used to build the recently-inaugurated Neckertal Dam west of Keetmanshoop.

To construct the dam wall which is 540 meters long at the crest and 60 m wide at the bottom, more than a million cubic meters of concrete were used. The dam wall is 82,5 m high from the lowest point to the non-overspill crest and can store a total of 857 million cubic meters of water when full. This is three times the amount that can be stored in the Hardap Dam near Mariental. Neckartal dam stretches 38 km upstream with a surface area of 25 km². It is a curved gravity dam in the Fish River, 40 km west of Keetmanshoop, and a few kilometers north of Seeheim.

The dam will mainly be used for irrigation purposes and the government plans to have 5000 ha made available for the farming of Lucerne, dates, grapes, and vegetables. Water will be released at a rate of 50 m³ per second by two turbines which are three meters in diameter and which can together generate 3,5 MW per hour.

The water will flow down the Fish River for 13 km where it will be dammed up at an abstraction weir from where the water is being pumped into a reservoir on top of a hill, nine km away. From there the irrigation scheme will be supplied with water. All necessary infrastructure is already in place.

On the 13th March this year (2020), the Neckartal dam was officially inaugurated by Namibia’s Vice President Nangolo Mbumba. Construction had started on the 11th September 2013 and was completed in September 2019. The plans to build a dam on this site in the mighty Fish River date back to German colonial times.

In 1896 and 1897 Theodor Rehbock, who was born in Amsterdam in 1864, at the invitation of the colonial Syndicate of Water Affairs, conducted an expedition through Namibia and South Africa. During this, he became a visionary of a country transformed by more permanent water supplies in farm dams and massive dams in river beds.

He designed Pokkiesdraai and Avispoort Dams for Windhoek, Hatsamas near Dordabis, De Naauwte or Naute Dam in the Löwen River southwest of Keetmanshoop in the now !Karas region and a system of terraced dams in the Fish River starting with the Kommatsas North dam (today´s Hardap Dam) and climaxing with Kokerboomnaute or Neckertal Dam. In his two books, German South West Africa, its economic development with special emphasis on the usage of water resources (Berlin 1898) and Germany´s duties in German South West Africa (1904), he outlined his designs and his plans to finance the projects.

Farm dams were the responsibility of the individual farmers organized in co-operatives and aided by state-sponsored credit institutes. Larger dams would be state-financed and could be linked to farming co-operative complexes.

The project derived its name from Neckartal and Kokerboomfontein; two farms just outside Keetmanshoop and the Berseba Reserve. Theodor Rehbock attended school in the Netherlands and Germany and studied engineering at the Technological Institutes in Berlin and Munich. After completing his diploma, he was engaged in prestigious projects: building the innovative arch bridge across the River Weser in Germany and renovating the German Parliament (Reichstag).

In 1899 Rehbock became a professor of hydrology in Karlsruhe. In the 35 years he spent there, he became famous for the mock-ups he constructed which were up to 60 m in length and in which he tested the behavior of water before putting his plans into practice. His academic obligations did not prevent national and international engagements in Spain, South America (Panama Canal), and New Zealand. His most prestigious work was making the Rhine navigable up to Switzerland, solving problems that had arisen during the construction of the gigantic Dutch Zuiderzee polder system. He remained eager to put his Namibian dam projects into practice.

Though his ideas became significant during the German colonial period, the war lasting from 1903 to 1908 disrupted further plans. This was also due to the enormous amounts of money spent during the war. Farm dams were constructed, but plans for the larger dams were only approved in 1912 and then aborted by the time World War I started.

From 1915 to 1955 not much happened in terms of building further dams, and Theodor Rehbock and his ideas were somewhat forgotten, despite the fact that he was considered an international engineering celebrity. The poor whites flooding into Namibia from the south, received Land Bank credits to drill boreholes on their farms. In 1933, at the height of drought and global depression, dams were built hastily at Avis and in Ovamboland as part of a relief-payment-for-work-scheme.

After World War II and between 1955 and 1969, water affairs officials Otto Wipplinger and Heinz Stengel built many of today’s dams in Namibia. Thereby they reactivated many Rehbock traditions and visions. Upon their retirement and resignation, water affairs lapsed into relative inaction.

The second phase of the Neckartal project now awaits completion, in order to use the dam’s potential to the fullest and to benefit the people in the surrounding area. Not only will agriculture provide jobs and food security, but even tourism can play an important role in job creation efforts. Water sport like water skiing and angling on Namibia's biggest dam could attract many tourists for competitions and leisure, an aspect Rehbock had never considered. With all the water available, the natural world too will benefit and another paradise for aquatic birds could establish itself in this part of the country.

Honours:

Rehbock weir – a device to accurately measure the discharge in open-channel flows.

Rehbock dentated sill – for kinetic energy dissipation at the end of a stilling basin, into which the spillway of a large dam ends. This, in order to prevent or reduce scour.

Theodor Rehbock Medal – of the Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall (DWA; German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste), to honour members who made outstanding innovations within the fields covered by the association. This award has been established in 2007.

Honorary doctorates from the Technical University Munich and the Palatine Joseph University of Technology and Economics in Budapest.

Honorary Member of the Dutch Royal Institution of Engineers (KIvI) in The Hague.

A street in Karlsruhe has been named after him.

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