Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Gardens
From Diamond City Memorial to a Changing University Precinct
The Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Gardens occupy an important site in central Kimberley, between the William Humphreys Art Gallery and Sol Plaatje University’s North Campus. Created in memory of diamond magnate Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, the gardens contain some of Kimberley’s best-known public monuments, including the Diggers Fountain and a marble colonnade surrounding the bronze bust of Oppenheimer himself.
But the story of this space is considerably broader than the monuments it contains. The gardens were developed as part of Kimberley’s new Civic Centre on land formerly occupied by the historic Malay Camp, and today they are changing again as they become increasingly integrated into the surrounding Sol Plaatje University precinct.
Visitor Information
The Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Gardens are situated on Sol Plaatje Drive in central Kimberley, immediately opposite the William Humphreys Art Gallery and surrounding Sol Plaatje University's Grand Hall.
To improve safety and security, the gardens are currently enclosed by ClearVu fencing and are not freely accessible to the public. Plans are underway to redesign and rejuvenate the gardens and provide more structured public access, although the final arrangements have not yet been announced.
You can still view parts of the gardens and their monuments from the surrounding streets and public areas.
Time required: Allow approximately 10–20 minutes to view the gardens and monuments from the surrounding precinct, or include them as part of a wider visit to WHAG and Sol Plaatje University.
Click here to start customizing
Continue Exploring Kimberley
Kimberley’s monuments, museums and historic buildings tell the story of a city shaped by diamonds, empire, war, industry and political change. Explore more of Kimberley’s remarkable past through our History & Heritage guides.