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GPS: S27 36.383 E18 23.843

History of the White House

In 1912 Frederich Haschke bought the farm Mickberg (15 000 hectares) for 2 500 Pounds. It was then known as the waterless farm. He immediately started building a house for Martha Feiber, his wife to be.

Building material for the house was imported from Germany to Luderitz Bay, from where it was railed to Klein-Karas Station. A steel tyred wagon was used to transport the material from Klein-Karas station to the farm. Water needed for building the house was transported from the neighbouring farm, Grabwasser. There is no information on how long it took to complete the house, but after all the trouble of building the house for his bride, to his greatest disappointment, he still could not find any water on the farm.
When the First World War broke out, troops from the Union of South Africa invaded this German colony. In April 1915 the young couple, who were pursued by troops, fled to the north of the colony with some of their possessions and live stock. The White House was left behind, furniture and all. Their flight was cut short when they were arrested on the 17th of April and all their possessions were confiscated. Frederich was sent to a prisoners-of-war camp at Kimberley and Martha was kept prisoner at Gibeon.

All the adversity was too much for Frederich. He was declared temporarily insane and sent to Falkenburg, a mental hospital in Cape Town. In 1918 he was sent back to Germany, where he was reunited with his wife.

In 1927 two Swanevelder brothers, Jan and Piet from Colesberg, were looking for farmland in southern South West Africa. They stayed over in the Kalkfontein Hotel in Karasburg. There they learned that the farm Mickberg was for sale. Through attornies in Keetmanshoop they negotiated with Frederich in Germany and eventually bought the farm for 3 500 Pounds. They were fortunate in finding sufficient water in due course.
This is the farm where the young miss Febe Swanevelder then grew up. Quite soon Dantie de Wet, foreman on the neighbouring farm Signalberg, started to court the lovely young lady Febe.

The great drought in 1933 forced Piet and Jan Swanevelder to move their merino flock to Namaqualand, while Dantie had to trek to the vicinity of Kalkrand to find grazing for the karakul flock of Signalberg. The womenfolk had to stay behind and look after the farm. Febe had to walk to Signalberg (about 7 km) every second day, to look after the windmill and water the vegetable garden. Should they run out of groceries, she had to walk 14 km to Grunau, (about 14 km) to exchange eggs for their necessities. Febe also had to swop eggs for a postage stamp to be able to send a letter to her sweetheart. In 1934 Dantie and Febe were married in the White House. Some time later, Dantie bought one half of the farm Mickberg.

Dantie and Febe had four sons: Gideon, Pieter, Francois and Rudolf. After they retired, Rudolf continued farming – he is now the third generation on Mickberg.

Once again the White House was the honeymoon-house when he married Kinna (Smit) in 1978. They have been blessed with 3 children: Dolf (junior) is married to Nita (Vosloo); Niekie is married to Albert van der Merwe of Noordoewer; and last but not least Febe, who is still at university in Stellenbosch.

The White House formally opened it’s doors as a guest house in 1998, and in 2012, celebrated it’s centenary. So the original vision of Frederich Haschke for a new life, happiness, love and other festivities lives on!

The following accommodation is available at the White House:

White House main building

There is a well stocked fridge in the kitchen with cold beer, wine and soft drinks. Tea and coffee are also available in the kitchen. Main building is fully equipped with modern amenities, and each room and chalet has its own private shower and toilet facilities.

4 x family rooms: double bed and 2 single beds
1 small "students" room: 2 x single beds

Every room has its own toilet facilities

Chalets at White House

There is a well stocked fridge in each chalet with cold beer, wine and soft drinks. A kettle with coffee and tea is available in each chalet.

2 x chalets with double bed + 2 bunker beds and en-suite bathroom.
1 x chalet with 2 single beds and en-suite bathroom.
All the mentioned rooms are equipped with a fan for the summer and a heater for the cold winter nights.
The White house is fully equipped from bedding, towels, cutlery, toaster, kettle, tea, coffee, and sugar. Every room has a well stocked fridge with cold beer, wine, soft drinks and ice.

At White House you are allowed to self-cater, but White House is also well-known for their home-cooked meals.

“The best lamb in the world!”

White House serve dinner, breakfast and a braai-pack for the people who prefer to braai (barbecue) themselves.

There is the following choice of dinner and breakfast:

Dinner:
Cooked meals a choice between lamb, game and chicken (guest may choose two of
these options between the two of you) OR
Braai Packs (which guest braai himrself) with homemade bread and salad
Braai Pack include the following per person: 2 x lamb chops, 1 x piece of
lamb rib, 2 x pieces of boerewors, 2 x bread-rolls
Wood and firelighters included.

Breakfast:
Self-service, hosts bring the breakfast basket to guest the night before and guest
prepares the meal himrself on his own time in the kitchen of the White House
or the kitchenette of the chalet.
Guest may choose one of the following options before arrival:
Continental: Cereals, fruits, toast, boiled egg, cheese and juice
Warm: Boerewors, bacon, eggs, toast and juice
Take away: Sandwich, boerewors, boiled egg, fruit and juice

Hosts also supply the wood and grid. Guest farm is connected to the main power supply, NamPower for those who need electricity for a fridge, and other appliances.