Today in Kimberley's History
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Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Company opens closed compound for mineworkers - 1885
The very first closed compound for black mineworkers was opened officially on Saturday 17 January 1885 by the French Company who were based at the Kimberley Mine. The company marched 110 black mineworkers into the compound from which they were not to leave for six months. Barney Barnato’s Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Company opened their compound for black mineworkers on 27 April 1885. Yet another two mining companies in Kimberley had compounds in use by 1885, both based at the Bultfontein Mine - the Hatton Company and the Bultfontein Mining Company - as stated in the Griqua West Diamond Mine Inspector's annual report.
(Courtesy Steve Lunderstedt, Kimberley Calls...and Recalls)
The very first closed compound for black mineworkers was opened officially on Saturday 17 January 1885 by the French Company who were based at the Kimberley Mine. The company marched 110 black mineworkers into the compound from which they were not to leave for six months. Barney Barnato’s Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Company opened their compound for black mineworkers on 27 April 1885. Yet another two mining companies in Kimberley had compounds in use by 1885, both based at the Bultfontein Mine - the Hatton Company and the Bultfontein Mining Company - as stated in the Griqua West Diamond Mine Inspector's annual report.
(Courtesy Steve Lunderstedt, Kimberley Calls...and Recalls)
(Photo Public Domain)
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(Photo Public Domain)
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Pik Botha is born - 1932
Roelof Frederik "Pik" Botha, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of President F.W. de Klerk was born in Rustenburg, Transvaal (now North West Province). Following the advent of democracy, Botha served in the Government of National Unity (GNU) under President Nelson Mandela as Minister of Energy and Minerals Affairs from 1994 until 1996. In 1996, he renounced his National Party membership and retired from politics when De Klerk withdrew from the GNU. However, in 2000 he surprised many when he made an about turn in politics, joined the African National Congress (ANC) and announced his support for Thabo Mbeki.
Roelof Frederik "Pik" Botha, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of President F.W. de Klerk was born in Rustenburg, Transvaal (now North West Province). Following the advent of democracy, Botha served in the Government of National Unity (GNU) under President Nelson Mandela as Minister of Energy and Minerals Affairs from 1994 until 1996. In 1996, he renounced his National Party membership and retired from politics when De Klerk withdrew from the GNU. However, in 2000 he surprised many when he made an about turn in politics, joined the African National Congress (ANC) and announced his support for Thabo Mbeki.
Government passes the Group Areas Act - 1950
Apartheid as a system was obsessed with separating the citizens of South Africa on a racial basis. This was done to foster White superiority and to entrench the minority White regime at the expense of the Black majority. Significant pieces of legislature were passed in this regard such as the Land Act of 1913, the Mixed Marriages Act of 1949 as well as the Immorality Amendment Act of 1950. All these acts were designed to bring about the separation of 'races'. This intention was futile, as there were many urban areas where Black and White South Africans lived side by side.
On 27 April 1950, the Apartheid government passed the Group Areas Act. This Act enforced the segregation of the different races to specific areas within the urban locale. It also restricted ownership and the occupation of land to a specific statutory group. This meant that Blacks could not own or occupy land in White areas. While the law was supposed to apply in converse, it was essentially land under Black ownership that was appropriated by the Government for use by Whites only.
Apartheid as a system was obsessed with separating the citizens of South Africa on a racial basis. This was done to foster White superiority and to entrench the minority White regime at the expense of the Black majority. Significant pieces of legislature were passed in this regard such as the Land Act of 1913, the Mixed Marriages Act of 1949 as well as the Immorality Amendment Act of 1950. All these acts were designed to bring about the separation of 'races'. This intention was futile, as there were many urban areas where Black and White South Africans lived side by side.
On 27 April 1950, the Apartheid government passed the Group Areas Act. This Act enforced the segregation of the different races to specific areas within the urban locale. It also restricted ownership and the occupation of land to a specific statutory group. This meant that Blacks could not own or occupy land in White areas. While the law was supposed to apply in converse, it was essentially land under Black ownership that was appropriated by the Government for use by Whites only.
South Africa’s first democratic elections - 1994
Following a series of tense negotiations and years of liberation struggle, the first democratic election was held in South Africa on the 27th April, 1994. This election changed the history of South Africa. It paved the way towards a new democratic dispensation and a new constitution for the country. For the first time all races in the country were going to the polls to vote for a government of their choice. Nineteen political parties participated and twenty-two million people voted. The election took place in a festive atmosphere, contrary to fears of political violence.
The African National Congress (ANC) won the election with 62.65 % of the vote. The National Party (NP) received 20.39 %, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) 10.54 %, Freedom Front (FF) 2.2 %, Democratic Party (DP) 1.7 %, Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) 1.2 % and the African Christian Democratic Party 0.5 %. Although the ANC gained a majority vote, they formed the Government of National Unity, headed by the ANC’s Nelson Mandela who became the first black President of the country.
Following a series of tense negotiations and years of liberation struggle, the first democratic election was held in South Africa on the 27th April, 1994. This election changed the history of South Africa. It paved the way towards a new democratic dispensation and a new constitution for the country. For the first time all races in the country were going to the polls to vote for a government of their choice. Nineteen political parties participated and twenty-two million people voted. The election took place in a festive atmosphere, contrary to fears of political violence.
The African National Congress (ANC) won the election with 62.65 % of the vote. The National Party (NP) received 20.39 %, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) 10.54 %, Freedom Front (FF) 2.2 %, Democratic Party (DP) 1.7 %, Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) 1.2 % and the African Christian Democratic Party 0.5 %. Although the ANC gained a majority vote, they formed the Government of National Unity, headed by the ANC’s Nelson Mandela who became the first black President of the country.
Introduction of new South African flag - 1994
On 27 April 1994, South Africa introduced a new national flag, at the same time the country held its first democratic elections in which African National Congress (ANC) won. Nelson Mandela became the first democratic president. It replaced the previous national flag which had flown over South Africa since 31 May 1928 until just before midnight on 26 April 1994.The national flag first flew on 10 May 1994 when Mandela was inaugurated as the president
The flag is made up of six colours: chilli red, white, spectrum green, blue, black and yellow represent a symbol of the unity of the different race groups in South Africa. The flag was designed by Frederick G. Brownell, from the State Herald of the Republic of South Africa. Initially, members of the public and design studios were asked to submit their ideas and about 7,000 sketches were submitted. However, the Negotiating Council, who had appointed the National Symbols Commission, and the public did not find any that were suitable.
On 27 April 1994, South Africa introduced a new national flag, at the same time the country held its first democratic elections in which African National Congress (ANC) won. Nelson Mandela became the first democratic president. It replaced the previous national flag which had flown over South Africa since 31 May 1928 until just before midnight on 26 April 1994.The national flag first flew on 10 May 1994 when Mandela was inaugurated as the president
The flag is made up of six colours: chilli red, white, spectrum green, blue, black and yellow represent a symbol of the unity of the different race groups in South Africa. The flag was designed by Frederick G. Brownell, from the State Herald of the Republic of South Africa. Initially, members of the public and design studios were asked to submit their ideas and about 7,000 sketches were submitted. However, the Negotiating Council, who had appointed the National Symbols Commission, and the public did not find any that were suitable.
Freedom Day is celebrated in South Africa - a public holiday
27 April commemorates the day in 1994 when the first democratic election was held in South Africa. Today, South Africa celebrates Freedom Day to mark the liberation of our country and its people from a long period of colonialism and White minority domination (apartheid). Apartheid 'officially' began in South Africa in 1948, but colonialism and oppression of the African majority had plagued South Africa since 1652. After decades of resistance, a stalemate between the Liberation Movement and the Apartheid government was reached in 1988. The ANC, South African Communist Party (SACP), Pan African Congress (PAC) and other organisations were later unbanned on 2 February 1990, and a non-racial constitution was eventually agreed upon and adopted in 1993.
27 April commemorates the day in 1994 when the first democratic election was held in South Africa. Today, South Africa celebrates Freedom Day to mark the liberation of our country and its people from a long period of colonialism and White minority domination (apartheid). Apartheid 'officially' began in South Africa in 1948, but colonialism and oppression of the African majority had plagued South Africa since 1652. After decades of resistance, a stalemate between the Liberation Movement and the Apartheid government was reached in 1988. The ANC, South African Communist Party (SACP), Pan African Congress (PAC) and other organisations were later unbanned on 2 February 1990, and a non-racial constitution was eventually agreed upon and adopted in 1993.