Today in Kimberley's History
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Cecil Rhodes is born - 1853
Cecil John Rhodes was born on 5 July 1853 in England. He was the fifth son of Francis William Rhodes and his second wife, Louisa Peacock. A priest of the Church of England, his father served as curate of Brentwood Essex for fifteen years, until 1849, when he became the vicar of Bishops Stortford, where he remained until 1876. Rhodes had nine brothers and two sisters and attended the grammar school at Bishops Stortford. He fell ill shortly after leaving school and, as his lungs were affected, it was decided that he should visit his brother who had recently immigrated to Natal. He arrived in Durban on 1 September 1870. He brought three thousands pounds his aunt had lent him and used it to invest in diamond diggings in Kimberley. After a brief stay with the Surveyor-General of Natal, Dr. P. C. Sutherland, in Pietermaritzburg, Rhodes joined his brother Herbert on his cotton farm in the Umkomaas valley in Natal. In October 1871 Rhodes left the colony for the diamond fields of Kimberley. He supervised the working of his brother's claim and speculated on his behalf. Among his associates in the early days were John X Merriman and Charles D Rudd, who later became his partner in the De Beers Mining Company.
Cecil John Rhodes was born on 5 July 1853 in England. He was the fifth son of Francis William Rhodes and his second wife, Louisa Peacock. A priest of the Church of England, his father served as curate of Brentwood Essex for fifteen years, until 1849, when he became the vicar of Bishops Stortford, where he remained until 1876. Rhodes had nine brothers and two sisters and attended the grammar school at Bishops Stortford. He fell ill shortly after leaving school and, as his lungs were affected, it was decided that he should visit his brother who had recently immigrated to Natal. He arrived in Durban on 1 September 1870. He brought three thousands pounds his aunt had lent him and used it to invest in diamond diggings in Kimberley. After a brief stay with the Surveyor-General of Natal, Dr. P. C. Sutherland, in Pietermaritzburg, Rhodes joined his brother Herbert on his cotton farm in the Umkomaas valley in Natal. In October 1871 Rhodes left the colony for the diamond fields of Kimberley. He supervised the working of his brother's claim and speculated on his behalf. Among his associates in the early days were John X Merriman and Charles D Rudd, who later became his partner in the De Beers Mining Company.
Nelson Mandela meets President P.W. Botha to begin negotiating the end of apartheid - 1989
On 5 July 1989, African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela met with President P.W. Botha at Tuynhuis. At the time, Mandela was still imprisoned at Victor Verster after he was transferred from Robben Island to Pollsmoor in 1982, then to Victor Verster in 1988-1990. The unfavourable economic situation of South Africa, due to sanctions and lack of foreign investment, as well as the growing discontent internally meant that apartheid was no longer feasible and changes needed to take place. Mandela knew that talks with the government needed to be conducted in order to negotiate an end to apartheid. The meeting between Mandela and P.W. Botha occurred in secret on 5 July 1989, and was very brief. However, this meeting is regarded as significant as it brought together two opposing leaders in a surprisingly cordial manner. As Mandela states in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom: "From the opposite side of his grand office PW Botha walked towards me. He had planned his march perfectly, for we met exactly half way. He had his hand out and was smiling broadly, and in fact from that very first moment he completely disarmed me. He was unfailingly courteous, deferential and friendly." Therefore, despite the fact that Botha, or "Die Groot Krokodil" [Big Crocodile] had been instrumental in the development of repressive strategies such as "Total Onslaught", this meeting with Mandela led to further negotiations between the government and the African National Congress (ANC) that would eventually bring an end to apartheid.
On 5 July 1989, African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela met with President P.W. Botha at Tuynhuis. At the time, Mandela was still imprisoned at Victor Verster after he was transferred from Robben Island to Pollsmoor in 1982, then to Victor Verster in 1988-1990. The unfavourable economic situation of South Africa, due to sanctions and lack of foreign investment, as well as the growing discontent internally meant that apartheid was no longer feasible and changes needed to take place. Mandela knew that talks with the government needed to be conducted in order to negotiate an end to apartheid. The meeting between Mandela and P.W. Botha occurred in secret on 5 July 1989, and was very brief. However, this meeting is regarded as significant as it brought together two opposing leaders in a surprisingly cordial manner. As Mandela states in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom: "From the opposite side of his grand office PW Botha walked towards me. He had planned his march perfectly, for we met exactly half way. He had his hand out and was smiling broadly, and in fact from that very first moment he completely disarmed me. He was unfailingly courteous, deferential and friendly." Therefore, despite the fact that Botha, or "Die Groot Krokodil" [Big Crocodile] had been instrumental in the development of repressive strategies such as "Total Onslaught", this meeting with Mandela led to further negotiations between the government and the African National Congress (ANC) that would eventually bring an end to apartheid.
Primary information source courtesy of Kimberley Calls...and Recalls Facebook Group (except where otherwise stated)