Members of the Baster community are gathered at Samkhubis, west of Rehoboth, to commemorate a battle which took place more than a century ago.

Members of the community fled Rehoboth and its surroundings 110 years ago, under threat by German colonial troops, and took their last stand at Samkhubis, a last stronghold encircled by mountains with only one entrance and exit.

At Samkhubis, about 70 kilometres east of Rehoboth, they took a stand to face the threat of extinction. Under siege by a German army with modern warfare, the Baster community fought a battle on 8 May 1915. They were outnumbered and suffered losses, but eventually the German troops withdrew after the community sought divine intervention.

The community commemorates the day annually by repeating a pledge.

Today's ceremony will be addressed by Hardap Governor Riaan McNab on behalf of Vice President Lucia Witbooi.