Karibib (A 6)

Name: Karibib

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karibib

Early history
The earliest settlers in the Karibib district were missionary Johannes Rath and his family, who arrived in Otjimbingwe on 11 July 1849. Six years later, in 1855, rich copper deposits were found in the Khomas Highlands, and the Walwich Bay Mining Company was founded in Cape Town, with its offices in Otjimbingwe, to exploit the deposits at the Matchless Mine, which then were transported from Otjimbingwe to the port at Walvis Bay. By 1860, the copper deposits were yielding too little for further mining activities, and subsequently the mine closed down and sold its buildings in Otjimbingwe to Charles Andersson for £1500.

Originally, Karibib was nothing but an unknown waterhole belonging to the Hereros. The waterhole and the surrounding 200 square kilometres was later sold by treaty by the Herero headman of Otjimbingwe to Mr Eduard Hälbich of Otjimbingwe. In addition to the settlement of debt, Zeraua received two ox-wagons with 36 oxen and some other compensation in consumable and clothing.

In 1899 Karibib received a second waterhole to cater for increased needs. After the railway reached Jakkalswater, a military outpost of 4 soldiers was opened in Karibib in 1899 to safeguard the approaching railway. In 1900, the town's population was only 10, and further developments occurred at the expense of Otjimbingwe, as the ox-wagons which used to travel via Otjimbingwe to Swakopmund, now travelled via Karibib. By the time the railway from Swakopmund to Windhoek had reached Karibib on 30 May 1900, the government moved the district council from Otjimbingwe to Karibib.


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