Rise To Influence
Witbooi moved north on May 16, 1884, with a faction of the /Khowese tribe. This was against the wishes of his father, Moses, who remained opposed to Hendrik's plans. As evidenced from his diaries (which contain a large portion of the surviving documents of Witbooi) he still admired his father greatly, in spite of their political difference. On February 22, 1887, Moses' chief rival, his subchief Paul Visser, had Moses killed and deposed.
Hendrik Witbooi held leadership at Gibeon in 1888, long after the death of Jonker Afrikaner in l861 caused a power struggle among the various groups for paramount leadership. Several combat incorparated various leaders ensured until Hendrik finally defeated his last chief rival,{ Paul Visser}, in July 1888 and took over leadership at Gibeon. Hendrik retaliated on July 12, 1888, shooting Visser. This led to Hendrik becoming chief of the /Khowese people. He began to unite other Nama tribes under his control as well. By 1890, Hendrik Witbooi was signing all his letters, ‘King of Great Namaqualand.
Read more about this topic: Hendrik Witbooi (Namaqua Chief)
Famous quotes containing the words rise and/or influence:
“I don’t say ‘tis impossible for an impudent man not to rise in the world, but a moderate merit with a large share of impudence is more probable to be advanced than the greatest qualifications without it.”
—Mary Wortley, Lady Montagu (1689–1762)
“Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future generations, as all other causes combined.”
—John Abbott. The Mother at Home; or the Principles of Maternal Duty, John Abbott, Crocker and Brewster (1833)