1900 – Hunger, Disease and Hope

106 days into the Siege of Kimberley

By 29 January 1900, the Siege of Kimberley was taking an increasingly heavy toll on both soldiers and civilians.

Winifred Heberden recorded that the daily bread ration was reduced once again to just 10 ounces (approximately 280 grams) per person. With supplies running dangerously low, every loaf was carefully measured and distributed.

The town also faced a growing health crisis. Typhoid fever was spreading rapidly, while childhood illnesses were becoming increasingly common. The Medical Officer of Health considered the situation so serious that the latest health report was withheld from publication to avoid causing panic.

Food suitable for sick and recovering patients became tightly controlled. Essential items could only be obtained with a doctor's prescription, which then had to be approved by the Army Service Corps. Even doctors were criticised if they requested what the military authorities considered excessive quantities.

Meanwhile, Colonel Robert Kekewich received a signal from Lord Methuen's Relief Column asking whether Kimberley could continue to hold out for another six weeks. Kekewich confidently replied that the town could. Many leading citizens disagreed. Concerned about the worsening food shortages and deteriorating health of the civilian population, a deputation asked that their own assessment be communicated to Lord Methuen. Their request was refused, highlighting the growing tension between military confidence and civilian reality.

To add to the day's concerns, Long Cecil suffered mechanical damage after being accidentally overcharged during firing. Fortunately, the recent lull in Boer shelling allowed repairs to begin before the gun was urgently needed again.

Despite everything, one encouraging report reached Kimberley that evening: news from Natal suggested that General Sir Redvers Buller was making progress towards relieving Ladysmith, giving fresh hope that British fortunes elsewhere in the war might soon improve.

Did You Know?

By the end of January 1900, Kimberley's greatest enemy was no longer artillery alone. Hunger, disease and uncertainty had become just as dangerous as the Boer guns surrounding the town.

1961 – Fatima Shrine Opens in Galeshewe

On this day in 1961, the Fatima Shrine in Galeshewe officially opened, becoming one of the Northern Cape's most important places of Christian pilgrimage.

Dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, the shrine was established to serve Kimberley's growing Catholic community and soon became a centre of worship for believers from across the province and beyond. Each year, thousands of pilgrims gather at the shrine for religious celebrations, prayer services and special feast days, making it one of Kimberley's most significant places of faith. Today, the Fatima Shrine remains an important landmark in Galeshewe, reflecting the city's rich religious and cultural diversity.

Did You Know?

The annual pilgrimage to the Fatima Shrine attracts worshippers from across South Africa, making it one of the Northern Cape's best-known religious gatherings.