Today in Kimberley's History
February 18th
"Every day has a story about Kimberley's past."
On this day...
Three days after the lifting of the Siege of Kimberley, the Diamond City experienced something that had become almost unfamiliar—silence. The shelling had stopped, families were returning home, and businesses were beginning to reopen. Yet beyond the eastern horizon, the South African War was entering one of its bloodiest chapters.
1900 – Silence Over Kimberley
3 days since the lifting of the Siege of Kimberley
For the first time in many weeks, Winifred Heberden made no diary entry.
The absence of an entry is, in itself, revealing. During the 124-day siege, her diary faithfully recorded the daily realities of life under bombardment: shortages of food, anxious rumours, hurried journeys to underground shelters and the ever-present danger of shellfire. On 18 February 1900, there was nothing of that nature to record. The guns around Kimberley had fallen silent. Families who had sought refuge in the De Beers Mine during the final days of the siege were back in their homes. Hotels and businesses were gradually reopening, while soldiers who had filled the streets after the relief of the town were once again marching east to continue the campaign.
For the first time since October 1899, Kimberley's residents were able to look beyond the immediate struggle for survival. The city had endured four months of hardship, but life was slowly returning to normal. Sometimes, history is remembered not only through dramatic events, but also through moments of quiet. Winifred's silence speaks volumes about the relief felt by a community that no longer lived under the constant threat of bombardment.
Did You Know?
Winifred Heberden kept a remarkably detailed diary throughout the Siege of Kimberley. Her lack of an entry on 18 February 1900 is a poignant reminder that, after months of danger and uncertainty, everyday life was finally beginning to return.
1900 – Bloody Sunday at Paardeberg
While Kimberley enjoyed its first peaceful days, fierce fighting raged less than 50 kilometres away.
On 18 February 1900, Lord Kitchener ordered repeated frontal assaults against General Piet Cronjé's entrenched Boer position beside the Modder River at Paardeberg Drift. The attacks were launched across open ground against well-prepared Boer defences. Throughout the day, British infantry advanced under intense rifle fire, suffering terrible losses before being forced to withdraw. By nightfall, the British had suffered more than 1,200 casualties, making 18 February one of the bloodiest days of the South African War.
Although the attacks failed to break Cronjé's defences, they prevented his escape. British reinforcements continued to surround the Boer laager, beginning a siege that would end with Cronjé's surrender nine days later.
For Kimberley's residents, the sounds of distant artillery served as a reminder that although their own ordeal had ended, the war itself was far from over.
Did You Know?
The Battle of Paardeberg began only two days after the relief of Kimberley. The British victory there would finally remove the Boer threat to the Diamond City and become one of the turning points of the South African War.
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
The quiet that settled over Kimberley in February 1900 was hard-won. After 124 days under siege, residents began rebuilding their lives while the British Army continued its advance into the Boer republics. The city's suffering was over, but the wider conflict would continue for another two years before peace was finally restored.
Continue exploring...