Today in Kimberley's History
February 5th
"Every day has a story about Kimberley's past."
On this day...
The fifth of February recalls both the excitement of Kimberley's great diamond rush and the hardships endured during the Siege of Kimberley. In 1891, news of a rich new diamond discovery sparked a rush to what would become the famous Wesselton Mine, one of the great producers of Kimberley diamonds. Nine years later, with Kimberley surrounded by Boer forces, even two bars of chocolate had become a treasured luxury.
1891 – A New Diamond Rush Begins at Wesselton
On 5 February 1891, excitement swept through Kimberley as news spread of a rich diamond discovery on farmland north of the existing mines. Within hours, hundreds of hopeful diggers hurried to the site, eager to peg claims before the best ground was taken.
The discovery of Wesselton had consequences far beyond the diamond industry. The mine stood on the Wessels family's Benaudheidsfontein farm, and when the property was sold to De Beers later in 1891, the proceeds helped finance the early growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in southern Africa. Kimberley occupies a unique place in that story. The first organised Seventh-day Adventist congregation in Africa was established in Beaconsfield in 1887, and in 1890, the continent's first Seventh-day Adventist church building was erected on Blacking Street, less than 1 km from what is today Solomon Edwardian Guest House. The beautifully preserved building still stands as one of Kimberley's lesser-known heritage treasures.
During the decades that followed, Wesselton produced millions of carats of diamonds and became renowned for the exceptional quality of many of its stones. Unlike the original Kimberley Mine, which eventually became the famous Big Hole, Wesselton continued operating well into the twentieth century. It represented the evolution of diamond mining from the chaotic days of individual diggers to the highly organised industrial operations that transformed Kimberley into the diamond capital of the world. Visitors to Kimberley today can still see the headgear and historic mining structures associated with Wesselton, reminders of one of the city's last great diamond rushes.
Did You Know?
When the Prince of Wales visited Kimberley in July 1925, Wesselton Mine was chosen to demonstrate modern diamond mining. He descended almost 300 metres underground to inspect its workings because it was regarded as one of the most advanced mines in South Africa.
1900 – No Chocolate Without a Permit
113 days since the beginning of the Siege of Kimberley
Winifred Heberden's diary reveals how shortages were affecting even the smallest comforts of everyday life. Learning that chocolate could be purchased at the military depot without a permit, she hurried there and managed to buy the maximum permitted amount—just two bars. Not satisfied, she persuaded a friend to send her nurse to buy another two bars on her behalf.
Her excitement over such a modest purchase speaks volumes about life inside the besieged town. Luxury items had virtually disappeared, and ordinary treats had become precious commodities after nearly four months of isolation. Later that afternoon, the familiar sound of Boer shellfire reminded everyone that, despite these small victories, the siege was far from over.
Did You Know?
By February 1900, Kimberley's shops were running short of many everyday goods. Residents often relied on ingenuity, rationing and a little good fortune to obtain simple items that had once been taken for granted.
Can't find a Kimberley connection for a particular date? Our Today in Kimberley's History collection is continually expanding as we research Kimberley's rich history. If you know of a notable local event that occurred on a specific date, we'd love to hear from you using the Contact Us page.
Kimberley's Story Continues
Few cities illustrate the changing fortunes of South Africa as vividly as Kimberley. The discovery of new diamond deposits continued to shape the city's growth long after the original rush of the 1870s, while the hardships of the Siege tested the city's people's resilience. Today, visitors can still explore the landscapes, museums and historic mining sites that preserve these remarkable stories.
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