Gertse, Ferdinand * 01.04.1904, ?, † 15.03.1976, Okahandja. "Ferdinand Gertze (Gertze der schwarzen Johanna)" [Sohn der Johanna Gertze] VEM HB-OR-5058-095. Ferdinand Gertze (Herero "Halbweiß"), born 1904 was assistant teacher for "Handfertigkeit" at the Augustineum, attended the full teachers "fourth course" at the teacherstraining seminary Augustineum in Okahandja from 30.01.1933 till 06.12.1935 and remained at the Augustineum afterwards.1 Gertze resigned at the Augustineum in 1949, after the Augustineum was taken over by the SWA Administration in 1943. Gertze opened his own workshop in Okahandja.2 1.EC 1948 RMG 2.642p.69, Co-workers conference 1955 RMG 2.642 p. 027 The following letter was written to the congregations and signed by Ferdinand Gertse during the important conference of all Herero pastors, evangelists and Herero missionaries in Karibib on 31.03.1955: "To the dear members of our congregations. We first greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today we have gathered in Karibib to take council with each other and to deliberate on the great need which is endangering our congregations in these days. We have heard that some are of the opinion that a new church must be established among our congregations. We have thought about this in front of the Living God. As an answer we send message to all the our congregations. The ardent men, who have taken the matter of a new church up most actively, are mostly those backsliders who have returned from Christianity to heathendom. We want this evil principle only be taken away by the Living God. But the word of God says: We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5, 29). We also read: He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me (Math. 10, 37). We now have to decide between Christ and the enemies of Christ. It is something else to be a Christian or a heathen. But those who want the new church, mix these two and do not keep the congregation of Jesus Christ pure. Christ says: He that is not with me is against me (Luk. 11, 23). This is why we admonish you all, to abide by the Word of God. Do not follow those who make you unfaithful to Christ. Do not bend under the same yoke like the infidel. We love our Herero nation with all our heart, this is why we show you the right path. We exhort you and greet you all with the words from revelation 2, 10: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Signed by the pastors and evangelists: Hendrik Turiauri Ehrenfried Zaamuani Victor Hauta Friedrich Awaseb Hiskia Kapembe Gottlob Mungunda Erhard Kuzatjike Titus Tjinda Bernhard Kahiiko Martin Gertse Andreas Kukuri Josua Tjiurutue Ferdinand Gertse Reinhard Tjatenga Liebhard Kavari."3 For further studies of the Gertse family, which moved to Eselsbank/Wupperthal and Beukeskraal/Wupperthal in the Cape with Rath in 1861 (the family called itself Koherta before changing to Gertse), see Moritz in Journal XXIII p 43. Ferdinand Gertse taucht immer wieder bei Evangelistenkonferenzen und Synode als Übersetzer auf. Er muss fließend in Oshiherero/Oshivambo und Nama gewesen sein. Auf dem Friedhof in Okahandja bei der Bethesda-Kirche liegt das Familiengrab der Gertzes. F. Gertze (geb. 01.04.1904, gest. 15.03.1976), D. Gertze (geb. 07.01.1907, gest. 26.11.1951) und F. Gertze (geb. 23.01.1910, gest. 07.03.1959). Auf dem Friedhof in Okahandja bei der Bethesda-Kirche ist Charlotte Gertze (//Anas) (geb. 1911, gest. 23.10.1978) begraben und mit einem Grabstein erinnert. Married: möglicherweise D. Gertze (geb. 07.01.1907, gest. 26.11.1951) Children: Education: Other family members connected to RMS: Im Jahr 1906 wird ein Karl Gertze zusammen mit Johann Bens als "Bastard-Schulmeister" in Rehoboth erwähnt.4 See a foto of a young (teacher ??) F. Gertze together with RMG Sister Henninger in Otjimbingwe, in the background. On the foto is also (teacher ??) T. Kandarozu (not in databbase) and (teacher ??) G. Goteb. (AELCRN Fotoalbum of Henninger, as a contribution to the Chronik of Otjimbingwe. 1970. n.N. w.N. n.d.) Auf dem Friedhof in Okahandja bei der Bethesda-Kirche liegt das Familiengrab der Gertzes. F. Gertze (geb. 01.04.1904, gest. 15.03.1976), D. Gertze (geb. 07.01.1907, gest. 26.11.1951) und F. Gertze (geb. 23.01.1910, gest. 07.03.1959). Mission Stations: History with the RMS: 1 AELCRN V 6.1:33. 2 AELCRN V 6.1:70. 3 Kandovazu 1968:21. 4 JBRMG 1906:34. --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------