Africa-Press – Namibia. Over the past five years, Salinde Kamberipa, a civil servant at the Rehoboth Magistrate’s Court, has cared for the former Kaptein Hans Diergaardt house, dedicating her own time and money to make it liveable.
Now, after the government officially handed the property over to the Baster Traditional Authority, she faces uncertainty about her family’s future and the fate of the historic home. The Kamberipa family moved into the historic house in 2020 after writing multiple letters to the Ministry of Works and Transport seeking accommodation.
“We were told the only house available was the old, white property in Block D and that it suffered a lot of damage due to vandalism and a fire that burned part of the house. They said if we make it liveable, we could move in,” she recalled.
Over the years, she and her extended family, including two adult children with disabilities, repaired the house, cleared debris, fixed plumbing, and managed electricity and water connections.
“Every corner needed attention. We put in what we could to make it a home,” Kamberipa said.
The property, covering 16 649 square metres (about 1.6649 hectares), was later registered under the Government of Namibia in 2004. It initially belonged to the Rehoboth Government in 1989. Rehoboth Town Council documents confirm it remains a legally State property under the custody of the Ministry of Works and Transport.
While the council recognises the house’s local historical value, it has not yet been officially listed as a heritage site.
The 2023 municipal valuation records a land value of more than N$2.5 million and improvements valued at N$1.6 million, bringing the total to N$4.1 million.
Challenges
The house, however, sits amid a mounting crisis. As of 18 September 2025, the property’s utility account in the ministry’s name had an outstanding balance of N$604 004.50, which includes water, electricity and refuse charges.
During the last Rehoboth Ordinary Council Meeting held on 19 November 2025, councillors addressed the unresolved status of the historic house.
The discussion focused on occupancy, utility debts and the formal transfer of the property to the Baster Traditional Authority.
One member of the council questioned whether the current tenant’s debts would be written off, emphasising the need for clarity on which accounts belong to whom and who will ultimately pay, as the primary account had been split into two.
Further discussions revealed that a clearance certificate is still pending, meaning the debt has not yet been settled.
Discussions around responsibility for payment, whether it is the ministry, the occupants, or another party, are yet to be finalised. Councillors expressed concern that prolonged occupancy without formalising payments could allow the debt to grow further, risking the property’s financial and administrative stability.
Tenants
On 13 October 2025, the government handed back the house to the Baster Traditional Authority, with Albie Alberts of the Sam Khubis Committee formally accepting the property. The event was hailed as a historic moment, cementing the house’s status as a landmark in Rehoboth’s history.
Hardap governor Riaan Charles McNab emphasised that the government recognised Kamberipa’s dedication and is making arrangements to safeguard her family.
“They will not be evicted immediately. There is a six-month period after handover, during which proper cost estimations for renovations will be conducted,” McNab said. “The relationship with Mrs. Kamberipa is sound and will continue.
The house needs renovation, and once cost estimates are ready, the work will begin.”
Family member of former Kaptein Diergaardt, Johanna van Wyk described the emotional and historical weight of the property. “The house and Kaptein Hans are synonymous: you cannot separate them. It was ‘die Volk se huis’, the people’s house. Kaptein Hans always stood by and for his Rehoboth community, and his door was always open, whether it was day or night,” Van Wyk said.
She warned that without proper management and restoration, the house could fall into further decay, erasing a great piece of Rehoboth’s cultural heritage.
Furthermore, she noted that the house must be restored to its former glory and declared a monument or heritage site, to be managed for the benefit of the community.
Van Wyk thanked the Kamberipa family for its effort, emphasising how their presence at the house preserved an important part of Rehoboth history.
“Without their care, the house would have suffered even more damage,” she said.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare acknowledged the property’s historical significance, underlined that it must be preserved for future generations.
“The process of recognising it formally as a heritage site will start through the Sam Khubis Committee,” he said.
“We must ensure the house is dignified, honouring the late Kaptein Hans Diergaardt and the community that cares for it,” said the Prime Minister during his recent visit to Rehoboth.
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