Today in Kimberley's History
January 10th
"Every day has a story about Kimberley's past."
On this day...
The tenth day of January connects Kimberley to two major wars in southern African history. It marks the beginning of the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879 and the arrival of the commander who would ultimately relieve Kimberley during the Anglo-Boer War. Meanwhile, inside the besieged town, confidence remained high that Kimberley's defences could withstand any assault.
1879 – The Anglo-Zulu War Begins
On this day in 1879, the ultimatum issued by the British Government to King Cetshwayo expired, marking the beginning of the Anglo-Zulu War.
The conflict arose from British High Commissioner Sir Bartle Frere's determination to create a confederation of British colonies, Boer republics and African states under British control. Frere regarded the powerful and independent Zulu Kingdom as an obstacle to that policy.
In December 1878, the British presented King Cetshwayo with an ultimatum requiring him to dismantle the Zulu military system and to accept conditions that would effectively have ended his sovereignty. The demands were impossible to accept. When the deadline expired on 10 January 1879, British forces prepared to invade Zululand.
Although historians differ on whether the war officially began on 10 January, with the crossing of the frontier on 11–12 January, or on 22 January with the famous Battle of Isandlwana, the expiry of the ultimatum marked the point at which war became inevitable.
The Anglo-Zulu War remains one of the defining conflicts in southern African history, producing some of the nineteenth century's most famous battles, including Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.
Did You Know?
The British expected a quick victory over the Zulu Kingdom. Instead, the stunning Zulu victory at Isandlwana became one of the greatest defeats ever suffered by the British Army at the hands of an indigenous African force.
1900 – Lord Roberts Arrives in South Africa
On this day in 1900, Field Marshal Lord Frederick Roberts arrived at the Cape to take command of British forces during the Second Anglo-Boer War, replacing General Sir Redvers Buller as Commander-in-Chief.
The British war effort had suffered a series of setbacks during what became known as "Black Week" in December 1899, including defeats at Stormberg, Magersfontein and Colenso. Roberts immediately began reorganising Britain's military strategy. Assisted by his Chief of Staff, Lord Kitchener, he assembled a massive force that would soon launch an advance into the Boer republics.
For Kimberley, Roberts' arrival would prove decisive. Just over a month later, his campaign led to the Relief of Kimberley on 15 February 1900, ending 124 days of siege and restoring communications with the outside world.
Did You Know?
Lord Roberts' first major objective after arriving in South Africa was the relief of Kimberley, one of Britain's highest strategic priorities during the war.
1900 – Confidence Behind Kimberley's Defences
87 days into the Siege of Kimberley
The morning of 10 January 1900 began with another exchange of artillery fire as Boer guns targeted Kimberley's defences.
In The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley, October 1899 to February 1900, Winifred Heberden recorded that the Boer 9-pounder gun at Kamfersdam attempted to destroy the famous De Beers searchlight, while other Boer artillery fired towards Wesselton. Neither bombardment caused any significant damage, and by 7.00 am, the guns had fallen silent.
Later that morning, Winifred accompanied Major McGregor on an inspection of No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 Redoubts, where she gained an excellent view of the fortified perimeter surrounding Kimberley. The visit strengthened her confidence in the town's defences. Looking across the open ground towards Boer positions, she concluded that Kimberley would be extraordinarily difficult to capture. The enormous mine debris heaps, heavily fortified and dominating the surrounding landscape, provided natural defensive positions that forced any attacking force to cross hundreds of metres of exposed ground.
At No. 3 Redoubt, officers explained the operation of the Maxim machine gun, whose devastating rate of fire gave rise to the expression that advancing troops could be "mowed down by the Maxims." Winifred also spoke with the recently returned dispatch rider, Mr Field, who reported growing dissatisfaction among many Orange Free State burghers. According to him, some openly questioned President Marthinus Steyn about why they were fighting, believing they had no quarrel with the British and that they already possessed their independence.
Whether entirely accurate or not, such reports offered welcome encouragement to Kimberley's isolated defenders.
Did You Know?
Kimberley's massive diamond mine debris heaps became ready-made fortifications during the siege, giving British defenders commanding views over the surrounding veld.
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Kimberley's Story Continues
These are just two of the many events that helped shape Kimberley. Every date on the calendar reveals another chapter in the city's remarkable history.
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