Witbooi, Markus * 23.7.1903, ? † 26.11.1971. - The Augustineum course in Okahandja which had started in 1923 which was reduced in considerable numbers during the year, would have continued with only 8 students was therefore filled with five newcomers, amongst them Markus Witbooi (Nama) "Grandson of captain Hendrik Witbooi and son of the teacher Hendrik Witbooi II" from Gibeon. (AELCRN V 6.1:11). Mentioned by Vedder in his second half term report for the Augustineum in September 1925. Markus Witbooi was a grandson of chief Hendrik Witbooi and son of the evangelist Hendrik Witbooi ("Klein-Hendrik") 310.doc. He was born on a Sunday, 23.7.1903. Was baptized as a child. Attended the school of his father in Gibeon. During the Nama war he was interned together with his parents in Cameroon. During the IWW he lived with his tribe at the Otjikotosee near Tsumeb. When he was taken back to Gibeon, he became the house servant of missionary Spellmeyer. He accompanied the missionary on several farm visits and went onto farm visits with his father by feet to preach and teach the farm employees.1 From 1919 to 1924 Markus Witbooi worked in the household of Mrs. Spellmeyer and got the basic training by missionary Spellmeyer. 2 He joined the Augustineum in January 1924. He passed the (three year) teacher-course with eleven other students on the 5th December 1925 in Okahandja and was send to Gibeon - together with the teacher David Witbooi - as a teacher.3 According to Schlosser, Markus Witbooi joined the Augustineum course only in January 1924. In 1926 he was appointed as the second teacher in Gibeon, next to the teacher Fritz Isaak. Markus Witbooi was also made responsible for the congregation Gibeon as a "Filialeleiter". He used to preach (not from the pulpit but from the "Pult") whenever Spellmeyer was absent form the congregation.4 The following students completed the Augustineum course with an examination on the 04. and 05.12.1925: Isael Petersen (not in database) Daniel Hendrick (not in database) Dietrich Goliath, from Berseba, 28 years old, married without children was send to Keetmanshoop. Johannes Josob, from Keetmanshoop, 35 years old, married with 3 children was send to Keetmanshoop. Jonathan Goliat (not in database) Elia !Noreseb (not in database) Markus Witbooit, from Gibeon, 22 years old, not married was send to the district Gibeon after training. David Witbooi (not in database) Ebson Jantje, from Lüderitz, 18 years old, not married was send to Berseba Salomo Isaak, from Berseba, 19 years old, not married was send to Otjimbingwe Erastus Hadula, from Karibib, 28 years old, not married was send to Swakopmund Lukas Ipondoka, from Karibib, 33 years old, married with one child was send to Walfishbay. (AELCRN n.N. Schulsachen und Gehilfen-Seminar. Gemeinde-Ordnung. 1909-1932). 1939 führt "Skoolmeester Markus Witbooi" Beerdigungen in Gibeon durch.5 Attended the evangelist course in Lüderitz Jan. 1935 RMG 2.642 p.140, Family-members in the service of RMG: Isaak Witbooi (elder) Hendrik Witbooi (teacher) Samuel Witbooi (??) (teacher). The letters of all three to Olpp were published by Olpp.6 When Markus Witbooi joined AMEC, he was appointed as a pastor. He lost his work as a teacher in the Government School.7 During an interview with Schlosser he showed keen interest in the old traditions of the Namas and explained the construction of a traditional hut and its cover in the case of rain. According to Markus Witbooi this type of construction had already been neglected before AMEC encouraged people to make use of the old methods again.8 A petition concerning the exemption of passlaw for Eduard Frederik is signed in April 1964 by the following persons during the Gibeon district conference of AMEC: "Pastor P. A. Schmidt, Chief-pastor Pastor W. M. Jod Pastor J Nakem Pastor M. Witbooi Pastor J. Topnaar Pastor D. Dausab Pastor J. Jod Pastor J. Links"9 Married: Children: Education: Other family members connected to RMS: Auf der 7. Ordentlichen Synod in Otjimbingwe vom 27.09.-01.10.1976 berichtet der Präses, dass Pastor Sidney Witbooi sein Amt als Pastor niedergelegt hat und auch nicht von der Kirchenleitung zu einem anderen Beschluss umgestimmt werden konnte. Ihm wird angeboten, jederzeit bei seiner Rückkehr wieder in den Dienst der ELK aufgenommen zu werden.10 Mission Stations: History with the RMS: Siehe sein persönliches Zeugnis, von Vedder aufgezeichnet, im "Zweiter Halbjahresbericht über die Arbeit im Augustineum. Okahandja 1925. (RMG 2.648:89-136). 1 Zweiter Halbjahresbericht über die Arbeit im Augustineum. Okahandja, 1925. RMG 2.648 p. 132. 2 Schlosser 1958:82. 3 RMG 2.648 p. 87. 4 Schlosser 1958:82. 5 Gemeindebuch der Gemeinde Gibeon. Register der Gestorbenen. S. 152. 6 Rheinische Missions-Traktate Nr. 80. "Briefe eingeborener Christen aus einer verwaisten Gemeinde im Namalande." Missionar Olpp sen. Verlag des Missionshauses. Barmen, 1897. 7 Schlosser 1958:82. 8 Schlosser 1958:82. 9 NAN BAC 23. 10 AELCRN "Synodes 1976, 1978, 1979" n.N. --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------