Kub: History of the Former Afrikaans School

The history of the former Afrikaans school offers a tangible way to explore the history of Kub. The school opened in 1903 and eventually had 25 pupils. This places an exact opening year alongside a later pupil count, marking the institution’s beginnings and a later point in its development.

The Afrikaans School and Its History in Kub

During the First World War, the Afrikaans school was closed most of the time. It reopened in 1917 under South African administration. The word “most” is important for context: it describes the prevailing situation during the war, not an uninterrupted closure. The 1917 reopening should also be distinguished from the school’s original opening in 1903.

The school closed on 12 December 1958. Before then, the B1 main road and the railway line had been built through nearby Kalkrand, where a new, larger school was established. This links the history of the school in Kub to a change in Kalkrand: the school in Kub closed, while the new, larger school was established in nearby Kalkrand.

A description from 2023 records that remains of the former Afrikaans school and former hotel in Kub were still standing. For travellers interested in history, they offer different points of interest: the school remains relate to the dated school chronology, while the hotel remains point to another former establishment.

A large concrete sign bearing the inscription “SAP” near the monument in Kub is also described for 2023. The sign came from a police station later established by the South African Police, which had already been demolished by that time. The inscription thus links a visible historical clue to the history of a former institution; the monument itself is mentioned as a separate point of reference.

Hardap as a Wider Travel Destination: Nature and Activities

Within the wider travel destination of Hardap, the Hardap Game Reserve offers its own natural setting and activities. The reserve lies on the Hardap Dam on the Fish River; the dam has an area of 25 km². The reserve’s landscape includes open savannah and mountainous areas such as the Gemsbok Plateau.

Activities in the Hardap Game Reserve include freshwater fishing, water sports and boat trips, as well as game drives and birdwatching. There are hiking trails measuring 9 km and 15 km. These two distances offer a concrete comparison when weighing your interests as you choose a hike.

Annual fishing competitions are held in Hardap for those interested. If a competition is relevant to your travel plans, check the specific dates in advance. A total of 284 bird species have been recorded in the Hardap Game Reserve, including Bradfield’s Swift and Stark’s Lark. Wildlife includes Black Rhino, Kudu, Oryx, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Springbok and Red Hartebeest, among other species. These species offer points of reference for birdwatching and game drives; individual sightings are not guaranteed.

Discover more destinations: Uhlenhorst, Hoachanas, Maltahöhe, Sesriem Canyon, Naukluft, Rietoog, Mariental, Aranos.

For the wider travel overview: Hardap.