Located on the banks of the Van der Loop River, Johannestad serves as the capital for the Kuwunderlaner culture. The Kuwunderlaners are descendents of the original Dutch settlers and through Kuwundi's turbulant history they have managed to keep their language and culture alive through the establishment of learning programs, festivals and museums.

Johannstad was named after the captain of one of the first ships to arrive on the shores of Kuwundi, Johann de Vries. Following the German takeover those who decided to stay in Kuwundi fled inland to establish a settlement where they could maintain their Dutch culture. The settlers aimed to build a town that would model one in the Netherlands as many of the Dutch settlers had become homesick. After years of work Johannstad was established.

Over the years through trade, friendships and marriage with local tribes and foreign merchants, the original Dutch culture began to evolve into a new culture that became a mix of Tsuwu, Kuusa, Dutch, German and French influences and as a result the Kuwunderlaans language and culture was born.

Below are some common Kuwunderlaans phrases.

Hello: Haloot

Goodbye: Vaartsoot

Good Morning: Goet Matin

Good Afternoon: Goet Mittoog

Good Night: Goet Nowut

Thanks: Danku

You're welcome: Ty nim seku

How are you: Hoe ir ty?

I'm fine, thanks!: Imu goet, danku!

How much is...?: Hoeveel ke dis...?

My name is...: Minu laangu dis...

I speak a little Kuwunderlaans: Ik sprech a biet'jo Kuwunderlaans

Where is...?: Wou dis...?

Aerial view of Johannstad

Typical colonial architecture

The majority of the building in Johannstad were built in the Dutch style.

Looking out of place in the middle of the Kuwundan jungle, these canal houses were built with materials shipped from the Netherlands. The majority of visitors to Johannstad often say that if it weren't for the sun, humidity and palm trees, one would think they were in Holland.

As part of the 100th anniversary of Johannstad this windmill was sent piece by piece from the Netherlands as a gift to the Kuwunderlaner people.

Johannstad Sentraal-Polizeistaasie (Johannstad Central Police Station)

The ruins of the Sint Elisabeth Monastery. The monastery was one of the first buildings constructed by the Dutch settlers. In 1952, a large fire broke out and left the building in ruin.

Sint Willem Cathedral was built in 1920

A small fishing village located across the river from Johannstad.