Kub and the History of the Afrikaans School

Kub brings together the history of an Afrikaans school and traces of the area’s earlier uses. A 2023 account describes surviving remains in Kub of the former Afrikaans school and the former hotel, as well as a large concrete sign near the monument bearing the inscription “SAP”. In the wider destination of Hardap, landscapes, nature and activity-related experiences add to the trip. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore helpful to consider whether Kub itself or experiences across the wider region will shape your travel plans.

A school history with clear turning points

The Afrikaans school in Kub opened in 1903 and eventually had 25 pupils. During the First World War, it was mostly closed; in 1917, it reopened under South African administration. 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 had been constructed. The story thus runs from the opening in Kub, through a wartime interruption, to a new school site in Kalkrand.

A 2023 account describes surviving remains in Kub of the former Afrikaans school and the former hotel. It also mentions a large concrete sign near the monument bearing the inscription “SAP”. The sign comes from a police station later established by the South African Police, which has since been demolished. The 2023 account presents the hotel remains and the sign near the monument described there as traces of earlier uses alongside the school’s history. Anyone interested in the history of small towns will find several different points of interest here: education, changes in the surrounding area and former institutions.

Nature and activities in the wider destination of Hardap

The Hardap Game Reserve, in the wider destination of Hardap, offers a different focus from Kub. It lies at the Hardap Dam on the Fish River; the dam covers an area of 25 km². The reserve’s landscape includes open savannah and mountainous areas such as the Gemsbok Plateau. These regional features complement Kub’s history and are not a description of the town itself.

Activities in the Hardap Game Reserve include freshwater fishing, water sports, boat trips, game drives and birdwatching. Hiking routes of 9 km and 15 km are available. If you are planning a shorter rather than a longer hike, you can compare the two distances directly. A total of 284 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, including Bradfield’s Swift and Stark’s Lark. Wildlife includes Black Rhino, Kudu, Oryx, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Springbok and Red Hartebeest; specific sightings are not guaranteed. Fishing competitions for enthusiasts are also held annually in Hardap. Check the competition dates and current activity conditions in advance.

Choose your accommodation focus

For your holiday apartment, you can first decide whether Kub’s school and local history or the landscapes and activities in the Hardap Game Reserve should be the focus of your trip. This lets you keep your preferred excursion focus in mind while searching for suitable accommodation, without confusing Kub with the offerings of the wider destination of Hardap.

Discover more destinations

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

Back to the main travel overview: Hardap.