Huberta the Hippo and the Keiskamma Trust
Huberta the Hippo is one of South Africa’s most beloved animals. Likely born in Natal, this hippo came to public notice in 1928 when she started wandering for two and a half years down the Natal coast to the eastern Cape — a journey of over 1000 kms. Conspicuous enough to be spotted with some regularity, she gathered something of a following, often dogged by curious onlookers who’d poke and prod her when she was hiding in the bushes. No one knew what prompted Huberta’s epic journey, which sadly came to an untimely end on the Keiskamma River in April 1931. By the time of her death, she’d become a popular symbol of courage and fortitude.
Using the story of this well-beloved figure of South African animal lore, children’s book illustrator 
Sarah Garson helped coordinate a children’s picture book project for the Keiskamma Aids and Treatment Centre in Hamburg, South Africa. Hamburg is located on the Keiskamma River and its inhabitants are familiar with Huberta’s tale. Working with patients from the centre, Garson led the group in drawing and doing embroidery about the story. The embroideries were then scanned, text added, and then bound into a picture book. Later, children from the local school contributed to the project by making masks related to the story which were used for performances.
Developing this children’s book using embroidery and drawing is part of the work of the Keiskamma Trust whose vision is to use art in the aid of healing, particularly of those suffering from the scourge of AIDS. The putting together of this children’s book about Huberta the Hippo helped consolidate the bonds of this community in a unique and delightful way. The wandering hippo has found a home in a new interpretation of her journeys in the embroidered artwork of the people of Hamburg.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:41 am
Now that is certainly a story worth telling!
March 20th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Has the book been produced commercially or was it a one-off – you’ve made it sound so enticing, we want to read it now! And what, dare I ask, was Huberta’s untimely end?
March 20th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Huberta was shot by farmers and her body was found in the Keiskamma River. The hide was recovered, and was used for the model in the picture which is at the Amathole Museum in King Williams town. I’ll find out more about the book and its availability and post a comment here when I do. In the meantime, there is a website for Keiskamma Trust work in Canada that you can check out at: http://www.keiskammacanada.com/
March 20th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Sally -
Great post! It reminds me of one of our favorite books Owen & Mzee – The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. This is the story of Owen the baby hippo who was separated from his family by a devastating tsunami and how he became friends with a 130 year old giant tortoise name Mzee.
Your post script to the story makes me question Mankind. Horrific!
March 24th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Here’s some information I rec’d about obtaining the book, Huberta the Hippo, from the Keiskamma Art Project:
The address where people can order the book is ours : Keiskamma Art Project, Main Road, Hamburg 5641 (one of the most remote villages in the whole of South Africa), and they shall write to me: florence@keiskamma.org
The price is R205.50, which is about 26 Canadian dollars (excluding postage, which should be about 6 Canadian dollars, surface mail).