 In 1962 the "Namib Desert Research Station" ("NDSR") was founded, with Dr. Charles Koch appointed as the first director of the station.The government of South Africa, which controlled South West Africa, supported Gobabeb by giving the ground on leasehold for 50 years and financial support of R2,000 per year.In 1963 the construction of the staff houses, laboratory, office block, garages and a small water tower was completed.