Leutwein's tenure in South West Africa in some ways reflected that of Wilhelm Solf's in Samoa.  Like Leutwein, Solf was also often at odds with German settlers and came from a liberal family.  The image of the Samoan as a noble savage was even more prominent in Samoa than that of the Witbooi in South West Africa.  Solf however had much greater success in his policies than Leutwein.