HUBERTA THE HIPPO
A most intriguing South African story, about the travels of a very brave and adventurous hippopotamus. Her journey lasted three years and it was during this time that Huberta became the most talked about traveler of her time. Nearly 88 years on, the story of Huberta still captivate both young and old. It is a story of a hippopotamus, whose birthplace was perhaps in the Northern regions of KwaZulu-Natal, beyond the Lake St. Lucia district.
Huberta the Hippo on a mission
Slushy waters of Lake St. Lucia awakens a yearning for travel into a young Hippo
As she wallowed in the slushy waters of Lake St. Lucia, the yearning to travel must have flooded into this young female hippo. Nobody knows the reason behind her longing for travel, all we know is that early in 1928, the public first became aware of her when the newspapers began to publish a record of her journey southwards.
At first, the papers named the hippo Bill, and then to the more dignified name of Hubert, until it was discovered that the hippo was actually a female. Her name was changed to Huberta which then stayed.
Beautiful Lake St. Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal
St. Lucia Estuary
Huberta became a celebrity overnight
The international press was fascinated by her slow and sometimes challenging journey south. They took up the story of the traveling hippo, and Huberta became a celebrity overnight. The press just loved this courageous Hippo on a mission of her own!
The crowds curious and eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the Union's most famous tourist, lady Huberta
She was spotted at the present day Richards Bay on the banks of the Umhlantuzi River in November of 1928. She continued southwards, past Mtunzini, the mouth of the Tugela. A huge crowd gathered at New Gelderland, next to the railway line, eagerly awaiting her appearance and desperately trying to catch a glimpse of South Africa's very own celebrity, now known as 'South Africa's national pet' and 'The Union's most famous tourist.'
The international press could not get enough of Huberta and the crowds, curious to catch a glimpse of her, gathered along the way, just to see Huberta. Some of the people in the crowds would throw stones and bottles at her, to force her out of her hiding places where she found refuge.
It often bothers me when people chose to go for the cruelest of options to attract such negative attention. Surely Huberta must have been nervous already with all the crowds gathering around her. We are still surrounded by those type of people today.
In March 1929, she reached Durban North with the ever-present crowds, waiting in anticipation to see Huberta. A month later, she reached Durban, 250 kilometers away from where she has started.
Huberta's journey to the south
Legends were born and Huberta unknowingly became the 'Protector of the Poor'
It was at this stage where the legends about Huberta was born. Annerley is a small village on the coast south of Durban. When Huberta entered this village, the local Hindi people apparently deified her, during a service in the local temple, she was proclaimed 'Protector of the Poor.'
King Shaka Zulu
Legend has it that the Great King Shaka Zulu is the reincarnation of Huberta
Huberta was declared as the reincarnation of the great Zulu warrior, King Shaka, returning to his land, professed by some Zulu people. Further down the coast were the Mpondo people and they thought Huberta to be the spirit of an eminent traditional healer, who was descended from a survivor of the wreck of the Grosvenor.
King Hintsa
Xosa people 'saw' The Spirit of a Great Chief, returning in the form of a famous Hippo
Still further south, the Xhosa people believed Huberta was the spirit of a great chief such as Sandile or Hintsa, who had at last returned to seek justice for his people.
Pod of Dolphins riding a massive wave at Port St. Johns
Port St. Johns on the Transkei coast
Most popular Hippo in history reached Port St Johns on the Transkei coast
Huberta was loved, admired and watched by the whole world, no matter what they believed. She reached Port St. Johns on the Transkei coast in January 1930, later that year in December, almost a 1000 kilometers away from where she had started on this heroic journey, she was spotted along the banks of the Buffalo River, near East London. She continued southwards until she reached the Keiskamma river where she turned right, starting to head upstream. Nobody knew why, until this day.
Keiskamma River Mouth where Huberta decided to turn right
Senseless killing of Huberta
Huberta hunted down by two heartless farmers
On an isolated farm on the banks of the Keiskamma River, on the 24th of April 1930, an elderly granny was working in her kitchen, with her six-year-old grandson playing on the floor. She heard two gunshots and cried out: "Oh my God, I hope that wasn't the Hippo!" But, it was. Huberta had plunged down into the river and was running along the bottom, she ran as fast as her hippo legs could carry her, followed by two neighboring farmers. After about 500 meters, she surfaced upstream only to be met by a hail of bullets, pumped into her skull. Huberta was dead!
Huberta
Public outcry, a nation hung their heads in shame
A huge public outcry followed. Ashamed and stunned by the news, a nation hung their heads in shame. The international community who by now adored Huberta, was shocked by the news that she was so needlessly, without any reason killed. Her senseless killing was discussed in parliament and the police were instructed to investigate the matter. The two farmers appeared in court on charges of killing 'Royal Game.' They were found guilty and each fined 25 pounds. This was little comfort for a nation who lost its favorite pet.
Huberta at Amathole Museum in King William's Town
Huberta send to England
Her remains were taken by Captain G.C. Shortridge of the Amathole Museum in King William's Town and had her carcass skinned and was sent to England for mounting. People sent sympathy cards, wreaths of flowers, and donations in memory of Huberta. Almost all the accompanying costs for the project were met by the Cape Mercury's 'Huberta's Shilling fund', Supported by people from all over South Africa.
Huberta's final resting place
Huberta's final home is near the entrance of the Natural History building in the Amathole Museum. This is one of the finest museums in our country and under the excellent directorship of Mr. Lloyd Wingate and curatorship of Stephanie.
The memory of Huberta will live on for generations to come. It will be worth the effort to visit the Amathole Museum.
que rara conducta tiene esa hipopótamo, me gusto la historia, muy buena .
Nunca sabremos qué causa cierto comportamiento en los animales. ¡Vivo en Sudáfrica y nunca supe de la historia de Huberta!
Sebuah cerita yang membangkit semanga beraktifitas dalam bekerja, kadang-kadang kitakut kepada dirisendiri(tidak percaya diri), TERIMA KASIH ATAS CERITA PENGALAMAN ANDA, @frieda
My grandfather named his Hammer mill the HIppo Hammer Mill after Huberto at that time. Please follow my story about her in Justjoy. I read your excellent article with great interest.