Sixteen years after it was visualised, crafted and written, Johann Hamman’s first novel has been published – and it is a story as colourful as the author.
The Courier freelancer, tour guide and historian first conceived ‘Die Rebellie van Jan Joubert’ while he and wife, Michelle, lived in Centurion in 2002/3. Johann says the book, which comprises mostly of composite characters from his time in the South West African Police, is fiction based on fact but assures us that all events related in the book ‘did happen’.
Johann’s first attempts to get his manuscript published were turned down four times by publishing houses who dubbed his book as ‘unrealistic’ – even though it was based on authenticity. Slightly disillusioned (his words), Johann put the 500 000-word work in a drawer where it gathered dust while he and Michelle moved to Dundee in late 2004.
“I finally dusted off the pages and had a re-look at it. I was actually horrified at some of the stuff I had written and cut the work down to 367 000 words and did about 15 edits until I was satisfied.”
The next trick was to find a publisher. An easier solution was Amazon Ebooks where it can be downloaded for a small fee. One of Johann’s former police colleagues, now living in Texas, read the book online and was so taken with it that Johann was encouraged to get ‘Jan Joubert’ out in hard copy.
“It is not easy getting self-published in South Africa. Eventually, I was put through to Pinetown Printers, who, as a pilot project, printed 20 books – the results of which I am really pleased with.”

The situations, like the tame lion saga, seem unreal now that I look at them – almost like a Leon Schuster movie – but, boy, these events all happened in real life.” 

The character, Jan Joubert, follows the same path as the writer – born in South West Africa and studies at Free State University and later joins the SWA Police in the run-up to independence. “There are several humorous incidents in the book – which anyone who in the police will know is part of uniform life. The situations, like the tame lion saga, seem unreal now that I look at them – almost like a Leon Schuster movie – but, boy, these events all happened in real life.”
Other episodes are more poignant. There is a bit of Wilbur Smith and a touch of Michener as the story weaves and flashes back to Namibia’s past and to the old Northern Transvaal. Johann says he has already had requests for an English version and is working on a translation – although many of the Afrikaans nuances do not easily slip into any other language. He is also 60 pages into ‘Jan Joubert Part 2’ such has been the reception to his first book.
So how does Johann maintain the discipline to write?
“You must have a good chair, maybe a glass of red wine within striking distance and for me, John Edmond and/or Chris Rea music to please the muse and settle the mood.”
“I write in bursts of creativity and it is also handy to get a pot of strong glue to ensure that you stick to that writing chair without distractions.”
The book is dedicated to Johann’s late mum, Petro, a former Mayor of Windhoek. Anyone who has been in one of the armed forces or who has the need to enjoy a good old yarn will enjoy picking up ‘Die Rebellie van Jan Joubert’. The book costs R390 (including postage) and can also be bought via Johann at 034 212 3344.

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