1898 – Sol Plaatje Marries Elizabeth M'Belle

On this day in 1898, Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje married Elizabeth Nomthetho "Lilith" M'Belle in Kimberley.

The couple had met the previous year while Elizabeth was visiting her brother, Isaiah Bud-M'Belle, who shared a house with Plaatje in Malay Camp, the vibrant, multicultural neighbourhood that once stood near Kimberley's town centre. Elizabeth, a teacher at a mission school in Steynsburg, had received an excellent education at Lesseyton Girls' School, something Plaatje himself later acknowledged with admiration.

Their courtship, however, was far from straightforward. Plaatje was Motswana, while Elizabeth was Mfengu, and both families strongly opposed the marriage because of their different cultural backgrounds. Writing later in life, Plaatje reflected on their "rocky" courtship with characteristic humour:

"My people resented the idea of my marrying a girl who spoke a language which had clicks in it; while her people likewise abominated the idea of giving their daughter in marriage to a fellow who spoke a language so imperfect as to be without clicks."

Despite the objections, they married by civil licence on 25 January 1898, followed by a religious ceremony conducted by Reverend Davidson Msikinya of the Congregational Church. Their marriage endured for more than three decades, and Elizabeth became a steadfast supporter of Plaatje throughout his career as a journalist, court interpreter, political leader, author and one of the founding figures of the South African Native National Congress, later renamed the African National Congress (ANC).

1900 – Kimberley Endures Another Day of Shelling

102 days into the Siege of Kimberley

The heavy bombardment that had begun the previous day continued on 25 January 1900.

Winifred Heberden recorded that firing began again at 4.00 a.m., with Boer artillery concentrating on several parts of the town, including Malay Camp and the area around No. 2 Redoubt, where Long Cecil was positioned. Her husband, Dr Jack Heberden, went to watch Long Cecil in action but wisely withdrew when the Boer guns concentrated their fire on the position.

Throughout the day, shells burst across Kimberley, although, remarkably, relatively little structural damage was caused. The human cost, however, continued to mount. A child was killed, while the child's mother and another child were seriously injured.

Winifred also observed Cecil Rhodes sitting quietly on the veranda of the Sanatorium, watching events unfold. Although a shell exploded in the road nearby, Rhodes remained composed. She reflected that his concern seemed less for his own safety than for the welfare of Kimberley's residents, writing that "the people of Kimberley might be his children."

Late that evening, welcome news arrived by flashlight communication from outside the besieged town. Reports suggested that British forces under Generals Buller, Warren and French were making progress, while Sir Hector MacDonald had joined the Relief Column assembling at the Modder River. For Kimberley's weary inhabitants, the news renewed hopes that relief might finally be drawing closer.

Did You Know?

Flashlight signalling and heliograph messages allowed Kimberley to receive news from outside the siege, boosting morale even though relief was still several weeks away.

1965 – Bram Fischer Goes Underground

On this day in 1965, advocate Abram "Bram" Fischer, KC, failed to appear in court while standing trial under the Suppression of Communism Act. Instead of returning to court, Fischer disappeared and went underground, choosing to continue working secretly for the banned Communist Party of South Africa and the wider anti-apartheid movement. He was recaptured later that year and sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit sabotage and related offences.

Widely respected as one of South Africa's finest advocates, Fischer had previously led the legal defence team during the Rivonia Trial, representing Nelson Mandela and several other accused. Today, Bram Fischer is remembered by many South Africans as a lawyer who sacrificed his freedom in pursuit of justice and equality.

Did You Know?

Bram Fischer came from one of the Orange Free State's most prominent Afrikaner families. His decision to oppose apartheid at enormous personal cost made him one of the most respected figures in South African legal history.