Nicholaas Waterboer

South African chief

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July 15, 2026

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Nicholaas Waterboer was a 19th-century chief of the Griqua people, who were of mixed Khoekhoe and European ancestry and lived in central South Africa north of the Orange River. Waterboer ruled the western portion of the Griqua territory around Kimberley. He asserted his claim to this land, known as Griqualand West, and with British assistance, successfully resisted being absorbed into the Orange Free State. In 1871, Great Britain recognized the Griqua as British subjects and annexed Waterboer's land, which eventually became part of the Cape Colony.1

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South Africa
Diamonds and confederation
…the western Griqua under Nicolaas Waterboer, and southern Tswana chiefs. At a special hearing in October 1871, Robert W. Keate (then lieutenant governor of Natal) found in favor of Waterboer, but the British persuaded him to request protection against his Boer rivals, and the area was annexed as Griqualand West.
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…the western Griqua under Nicolaas Waterboer, and southern Tswana chiefs. At a special hearing in October 1871, Robert W. Keate (then lieutenant governor of Natal) found in favor of Waterboer, but the British persuaded him to request protection against his Boer rivals, and the area was annexed as Griqualand West.
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Griqua
Kok’s rival, Nicholaas Waterboer, who ruled farther west around Kimberley, met no serious challenge to his land rights until diamonds were discovered there. Waterboer asserted his claim to the land (Griqualand West) and succeeded, with British aid, in resisting absorption into the Orange Free State. Great Britain…
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Kok’s rival, Nicholaas Waterboer, who ruled farther west around Kimberley, met no serious challenge to his land rights until diamonds were discovered there. Waterboer asserted his claim to the land (Griqualand West) and succeeded, with British aid, in resisting absorption into the Orange Free State. Great Britain…
Read More