Today in Kimberley's History
January 28th
"Every day has a story about Kimberley's past."
On this day...
The twenty-eighth of January celebrates the growth of education in Kimberley. What began as a modest Afrikaans-medium high school with just 51 pupils would develop into one of South Africa's most respected schools, educating generations of leaders, professionals and sportsmen.
1935 – Diamantveld High School Opens
On Monday, 28 January 1935, the first Afrikaans-medium high school in Kimberley opened its doors.
The new school welcomed 51 learners, taught by four teachers under the leadership of its founding principal, Dr J. F. O'Grady. Initially, classes were held on the upper floor of the former Kimberley Teachers' Training College residence. Although the facilities were modest, the school represented an important milestone for Afrikaans-speaking families in Kimberley, who had long campaigned for secondary education in their home language.
The establishment of the school was made possible through the efforts of local community leaders, including Dr J. R. Albertyn, F. van Rensburg, Mrs Hendricks, the two Afrikaans churches in Kimberley and Mr Stander, the Afrikaans-speaking Inspector of Schools. Soon afterwards, the school adopted the name Diamantveld High School—a name reflecting the region's rich diamond-mining heritage.
Growing with Kimberley
As Kimberley expanded, so too did Diamantveld High School. New classrooms, sports facilities and halls were added over the decades, reflecting both increasing enrolment and the school's growing reputation.
On 23 February 1968, a new school hall was officially opened. Many years later, on Founders' Day in 2007, it was named in honour of Dr S. M. Cerff, the school's second principal.
The original hall in the main building was later named after J. P. Spangenberg, the third principal. The school's Sports and Cultural Centre, opened in 2009, includes the Andre Markgraaff Hall, named in honour of one of Diamantveld's best-known former pupils and supporters. In 2010, the main school building itself was dedicated to the founding principal, Dr J. F. O'Grady.
A Lasting Educational Legacy
Education has played an important role in Kimberley's development since the earliest days of the Diamond Fields. Church schools, mission schools and later government schools helped transform what began as scattered mining camps into a permanent city.
The opening of Diamantveld High School in 1935 marked another important step in that journey, providing Afrikaans-speaking families with opportunities that would shape the city's educational landscape for generations. Throughout its history, the school has remained proud of its traditions while continuing to serve new generations of learners.
Diamantveld High School Today
Diamantveld High School remains one of South Africa's leading public schools. The campus regularly hosts major inter-provincial and national school sporting events, attracting thousands of learners, coaches, officials and supporters to Kimberley each year.
Among the best known is the Wildeklawer Schools Sports Tournament, one of South Africa's premier school rugby, netball, hockey and soccer festivals, which has become an important event on the city's sporting calendar.
Diamandveld High School today
Located 1 kilometre from Solomon Edwardian Guest House, the school is within a short drive—or around a 15-minute walk—making the guest house a convenient choice for visiting teams, parents, officials and spectators attending sporting, cultural and academic events at Diamantveld.
Did You Know?
Former Springbok rugby coach Andre Markgraaff attended Diamantveld High School before representing Griqualand West and South Africa, and later coaching the national team.
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
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.
Continue exploring...