In the late 19th century, as European powers scrambled to colonize Africa, numerous indigenous leaders faced the difficult challenge of resisting foreign domination. Among these was Andreas Lambert, a revered chief in present-day Namibia. Lambert’s resistance against German colonial rule, particularly his refusal to sign a protection treaty, marked him as a formidable opponent and ultimately led to his execution.
Andreas Lambert was born into a period of hardship for the Kaiǀkhauan. In the 1860s, the community suffered greatly from a series of calamities. A devastating lung disease wiped out much of their cattle, and smallpox ravaged their community, claiming many lives, including much of the Lambert family. In 1864, at the tender age of 20, Andreas succeeded his grandfather, Amraal Lambert, as the chief of the Kaiǀkhauan, following Amraal’s death from smallpox.
Despite the challenges, Lambert’s leadership revitalized the Kaiǀkhauan. He restored their prominence in trade and cattle rearing, reclaiming their former influence. Lambert was fiercely protective of his people’s land, particularly against the encroachment of South African boer farmers who ventured into Kaiǀkhauan territory during their Dorsland Trek. Lambert made it clear that he would not tolerate their presence, even threatening to expel them by force.
Lambert’s military prowess further solidified his leadership. Around 1884, he led the Kaiǀkhauan to victory against a Tswana regiment, capitalizing on their advantage in firearms and horses. This victory allowed the Kaiǀkhauan to control key trade routes in Damaraland and Namaland, making them a powerful and feared force in the region.
As Germany began its colonization of South-West Africa in the late 19th century, it sought to impose its authority through “protection treaties” with local leaders. These treaties, however, were a thinly veiled attempt to strip indigenous peoples of their sovereignty and control their lands.
In 1884, Germany formally declared Namibia a protectorate, initiating a period of colonial rule that would last until the end of World War I. The Germans used a combination of diplomacy and force to subjugate the local population, but not all leaders were willing to cooperate.
Andreas Lambert stood out as one of the leaders who refused to bow to German pressure. The Kaiǀkhauan, under Lambert’s leadership, were known for their fierce independence. When German officials approached Lambert with a protection treaty, he recognized it for what it was—determined to protect his people’s land and way of life, he refused to sign the treaty.
Lambert’s resistance did not go unnoticed by the Germans. His refusal to cooperate was seen as a threat to their colonial ambitions, and the German authorities responded with force. In 1894, German Schutztruppe soldiers, under the command of Theodor Leutwein launched an attack on the Kaiǀkhauan at their settlement in Naosanabis, known today as Leonardville.
The confrontation between Lambert’s forces and the Germans was brief but brutal. The German troops, equipped with superior weapons, quickly overpowered Lambert’s men. Lambert was captured, and his fate was sealed. Two days later, he was tried and executed for murder and theft, becoming the first Namibian traditional leader to be executed by German colonial forces.
The decision to execute Lambert was calculated to serve as a warning to other Namibian leaders. By making an example of Lambert, the colonial administrators sought to intimidate other tribes and discourage any resistance to German rule.
Following Lambert’s death, Leutwein confiscated part of the Kaiǀkhauan’s land and installed Andreas’ brother, Eduard, as the new chief. However, the surviving members of the clan, despite being forced to sign the protection treaty, continued to resist German occupation.
In 1896, the clan rose again in opposition to German rule, but their efforts were ultimately crushed. Eduard Lambert was killed in the Battle of Gobabis, and the Kaiǀkhauan ceased to exist as a cohesive unit.
