Today in Kimberley's History
|
|
|
|
Laying of the cornerstone for St. Edward the Confessor Anglican church in Kenilworth - 1902
In the early days of Kenilworth village on the outskirts of Kimberley, there was no church. Before the church was built, services were held on a Thursday evening in a school room, and each week a preacher from a different denomination would deliver a sermon.
The architect Daniel Greatbatch designed the church which was built in 1902. The cornerstone was to be laid on the day of the coronation of King Edward VII, but he fell ill and the coronation was postponed. So too was the laying of the cornerstone, This is why the corner-stone of the church has two dates inscribed on it, the first being 26 June 1902 and the second is 9 August 1902. It was Ethel Pickering, the wife of De Beers’ Company Secretary William Pickering, who laid the foundation stone. Ethel is better known as being the person who fired the first shot of the famed Long Cecil gun during the siege of Kimberley 1899-1900. The church was initially an Anglican church and was known as St. Edward the Confessor. It ceased to exist as an Anglican church on 1 June 1969 and was then used as a Dutch Reformed church. The building was later restored and is used for services by the residents of Yonder.
(Courtesy of Kimberley Calls... And Recalls Facebook page)
In the early days of Kenilworth village on the outskirts of Kimberley, there was no church. Before the church was built, services were held on a Thursday evening in a school room, and each week a preacher from a different denomination would deliver a sermon.
The architect Daniel Greatbatch designed the church which was built in 1902. The cornerstone was to be laid on the day of the coronation of King Edward VII, but he fell ill and the coronation was postponed. So too was the laying of the cornerstone, This is why the corner-stone of the church has two dates inscribed on it, the first being 26 June 1902 and the second is 9 August 1902. It was Ethel Pickering, the wife of De Beers’ Company Secretary William Pickering, who laid the foundation stone. Ethel is better known as being the person who fired the first shot of the famed Long Cecil gun during the siege of Kimberley 1899-1900. The church was initially an Anglican church and was known as St. Edward the Confessor. It ceased to exist as an Anglican church on 1 June 1969 and was then used as a Dutch Reformed church. The building was later restored and is used for services by the residents of Yonder.
(Courtesy of Kimberley Calls... And Recalls Facebook page)
20 000 Women march to the Union Buildings in protest of pass laws - 1956
In one of the largest demonstrations staged in this country's history, 20 000 women of all races marched to Pretoria's Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, to present a petition against the carrying of passes by women to the prime minister, J.G. Strijdom. This famous march is celebrated and commemorated through a national public holiday in South Africa on the 9th of August every year. This is known as National Women's Day and was first celebrated in 1995. The march against the pass laws was organised by the Federation of South African Women (FSAW or FEDSAW). The Federation famously challenged the idea that 'a woman's place is in the kitchen', declaring it instead to be 'everywhere'. Although Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom was not at the Union Buildings to accept the petition, the women of South Africa sent a public message that they would not be intimidated and silenced by unjust laws. After the petition was handed over to the secretary of the prime minister, the women sang a freedom song: Wathint` abafazi, Strijdom! Since then, the phrase 'wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo' (You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock) has come to represent the courage and strength of South African women. As a group that has been marginalised, they challenged the oppressive barriers that governed their lives and fought for their freedom and that of their families'.
In one of the largest demonstrations staged in this country's history, 20 000 women of all races marched to Pretoria's Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, to present a petition against the carrying of passes by women to the prime minister, J.G. Strijdom. This famous march is celebrated and commemorated through a national public holiday in South Africa on the 9th of August every year. This is known as National Women's Day and was first celebrated in 1995. The march against the pass laws was organised by the Federation of South African Women (FSAW or FEDSAW). The Federation famously challenged the idea that 'a woman's place is in the kitchen', declaring it instead to be 'everywhere'. Although Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom was not at the Union Buildings to accept the petition, the women of South Africa sent a public message that they would not be intimidated and silenced by unjust laws. After the petition was handed over to the secretary of the prime minister, the women sang a freedom song: Wathint` abafazi, Strijdom! Since then, the phrase 'wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo' (You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock) has come to represent the courage and strength of South African women. As a group that has been marginalised, they challenged the oppressive barriers that governed their lives and fought for their freedom and that of their families'.
National Women’s Day - 1995
The first National Women's Day was celebrated in 1995. South Africa had just become a democratic country at the time, and the day was declared a national holiday. Since then annual celebrations take place throughout the country. It has become one of the national holidays where activities are organised with women in prominent positions making appearances and giving speeches at different venues across the country. August has since been declared National Women’s Month.
The first National Women's Day was celebrated in 1995. South Africa had just become a democratic country at the time, and the day was declared a national holiday. Since then annual celebrations take place throughout the country. It has become one of the national holidays where activities are organised with women in prominent positions making appearances and giving speeches at different venues across the country. August has since been declared National Women’s Month.