The History of Farm Weissenfels and today...
George Eberhard the fist-recorded owner of Farm Weissenfels was born in Rimsdorf in 1872. He immigrated to Southwest Africa in the year 1896. His military service ended on the 31st May 1907.
On the 26th August 1907 the Deed of Sale for Weissenfels was signed in Windhoek. The Farm consisted of 7ooo hectares and was purchased for the amount of 2 100 DM (30 pfennig per hectare). The condition was that he would farm on Weissenfels for 10 years and only then would he be allowed to sell the farm. 1000 hectares was to be used for the farming of sheep. Mr. Eberhard requested a subsidy of 6000 DM.
On the 3rd June 1908 a further 3064 hectares was acquired. The farm owned 5 cows and 100 sheep.
On the 12th March 1914 the farm was to be auctioned. Due to low productivity. The Auction was however cancelled.
On the 14th August 1914 his wife from Elass-Lothringen died after a miscarriage, and his three children were looked after by Miss Luise Kirchenlor.
His son 6 years - Died during the war in 1945
His Daughter 5 Years- Later moved back to Germany
His Daughter 3 years - Later became the wife of Mr. W. Gies.
In September 1914 all men, of the Baster-Nation, of military-call-up age were issued with firearms by the German Emperor, under the leadership of the Baster- Captain Kornelius van Wijk, in order for them to assist in the peace keeping of the country. He was also given permission to move into the Kuiseb-Swakop area where he requested permission to look for salt and Herb teas.
On the 1st April 1915 he however met with General Louis Botha, and on his journey back to Rehoboth, the murders on the German farmers was launched.
It was in this time, that Mr. Eberhard was also murdered along with other farmers in the area.
On the 13th April 1921 the farm was purchased Mr. Robert Rabald, owner of the Thüringer Hof Hotel in Windhoek, and August Lösche. Mr. Lösche was responsible for the farming and Mr. Rabald visited the farm from time to time.
On the 28th November 1928 the farm was sold to David and Max Lentin and Jacob Louis Tobias under the company name "Lentin and Tobias" and on the same day it was sold to the widower Henny Regine Bräuer, born Rohlfs. The Farmhouse was enlarged and the Windmills were erected. The Farm Manager was Mr. Gies married to the daughter of Mr. Eberhard.
As her eldest son, George, was not interested in farming the farm was sold on the 4th June 1937 to Mr. Karl Westphal. The stock on the farm by this date was 2000 head of sheep, 600 head of cattle and 50 horses.
Mr. Westphal installed electricity and built a small church on the farm. The managers during this period was Mr. & Mrs. Kuhn and then Mr. & Mrs. Förster.
On the 7th June 1944 the farm was sold once again to Mr. Heinrich Konrad Gerhard Voigts. Mr. Voigts planted the first vineyard on the farm and fenced the borders with jackal proof fencing. At the middle post a small dwelling was erected where Mr. Albrecht performed the first artificial insemination on sheep.
The Weissenfels team consisted of the couple Heubel, Mr. Kurt Virgien, the couple Heyl, Mr. Duchstein. Miss von Rentel and Mrs. Lossen were employed house keepers. Mr. Duchstein organized the first Equestrian Jumping Tournament on the farm.
On the 3rd January 1963 Weissenfels was purchased by Mr. Laurence Kennedy Marschall 74 years of age. The Farm was registered under the name "Portall Farming & Co, run by Attlia Friedrich Port. The first Manager was the couple Kalcher and later the couple Lombard. Mr. Hendrik Lombard purchased the farm in 1973, after being the manager for 12 years.
In August 2001 the farm was purchased by Mr. Winston Retief, a business man from Windhoek.
After spending 30 years of his life in Design and Shop fitting, the first project to tackle was the re-construction of the Guest House. The methods used were natural, giving the Guest House a warm feel to it. The Guest House gardens were redone and turned into a exotic stone paradise.
A Health and Equestrian centre were added.
The Nooigedacht Horse Stud was established by Rosi Rohr, a equestrian enthusiast and Ethno Practitioner. The basic breeding stock was brought in from Pretoria South Africa. Today, eight years later the stud is well established.
In 2003 the Equestrian farming was extended to include an Arabian Stud.
Winston Retief and Rosi Rohr combined run all facets of the farming operation as well as the Guest House activities.
| Phone | Fax | Street | P.O.Box | City | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +264 (62)572112 | +264 (62)572102 | info@weissenfelsnamibia.com | Guest FarmPlease view map | 2907 | Windhoek | NAMIBIA |