Fransfontein | |
Native Name: | Frani |
Settlement Type: | Settlement |
Pushpin Map: | Namibia |
Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
Pushpin Mapsize: | 300 |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Namibia |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Namibia |
Subdivision Type1: | Kunene Region |
Subdivision Name1: | Kunene Region |
Unit Pref: | Imperial |
Population Total: | 700 |
Population Blank1 Title: | Ethnicities |
Utc Offset: | +1 |
Coordinates: | -20.2167°N 16°W |
Blank Name: | Climate |
Blank Info: | BWh |
Fransfontein (af|Frans' spring) is a small settlement in the Kunene Region of Namibia.[1] It is the hometown of former Deputy-Prime Minister of Namibia Libertina Amathila.
The settlement is named after Frans Fredrick of the ǁKhauǀgoan (Swartbooi Nama) who was on an exploration mission to find suitable land to settle. He found the spring which is still the main water supply of the village today.[2]
In 1891 a Rhenish mission station was founded.[3] After the proclamations of land confiscation following the end of the Herero Wars in 1904, land in the area was set aside for the Swartbooi Nama clan.[3] Fransfontein is still the main settlement of the clan and houses its current traditional leadership authority, the Swartbooi Traditional Authority.[2]