Gert Alberts

Gert Andries Jacobus Alberts (born 3 January 1836 in Swellendam – died 29 March 1927 in Humpata) was the leader of the First Dorsland Trek.

Three families turned back before they crossed the Kgalagadi Desert, where a handful of cattle were lost during the waterless journey.

[2] Reaching Lake Ngami on 29 April 1875,[5] they demanded Hendrik van Zyl, a trader based in Ghanzi with a reputation for ruthlessness,[6] access to his wells, but he initially refused.

[4] The group arrived in Rietfontein in January 1876,[1] and Andries Lambert, the Oorlams captain at Gobabis, granted them permission to stay.

[4] They remained for a year, leaving only when they received a call for help from the second party of Dorsland Trekkers; they had attempted to cross the Kgalagadi with 500 people in 128 wagons, more than could be supported by the desert environment.