Today in Kimberley's History
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DBCM Stockdale Street offices dynamited - 1891
On Thursday evening 9 July 1891 at 22h40 the whole town of Kimberley was shaken by a tremendous explosion – somebody or some persons unknown had attacked the De Beers Consolidated Mines offices on Stockdale Street with dynamite in an attempt to destroy the building. All the windows on the Market Street, including those of other businesses, were blown out by the explosion, and brickwork in places was badly damaged. A large gap in the wall of the De Beers offices on the Market Street side was also visible to those first on the scene. The interior of the offices where the dynamite exploded were, in the words of the Diamond Fields Advertiser, “…a sad wreck”. The company security official on duty, a guard named Peat, had been on his beat and heading along Stockdale Street towards Market Street when the explosion occurred – he was blown off his feet. Peat stated that there had been two explosions, one immediately following each other. Company directors were on the scene shortly afterwards to check the damage. Despite a reward of some £500 advertised regularly in the newspapers, there had been no apprehension of those involved by the end of July. |
De Beers Head Office. (Photo Public Domain)
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Henrietta Stockdale born in England - 1847
Henrietta Stockdale was born on 9th July 1847 in Nottinghamshire, England and died at the age of 64 on 6th October 1911 in Kimberley. She first came to Kimberley in the winter of 1876, working as a district nurse in the mining camps, and then at Kimberley’s new Carnarvon Hospital. Henrietta returned to England to recover from typhoid, taking the opportunity to train further at London's University College Hospital.
Henrietta Stockdale was born on 9th July 1847 in Nottinghamshire, England and died at the age of 64 on 6th October 1911 in Kimberley. She first came to Kimberley in the winter of 1876, working as a district nurse in the mining camps, and then at Kimberley’s new Carnarvon Hospital. Henrietta returned to England to recover from typhoid, taking the opportunity to train further at London's University College Hospital.
Date set for start of Passive Resistance Campaign - 1939
In July 1939 at a meeting of 6,000 Indians, held at the Indian Sports Ground in Johannesburg under the chairmanship of E. I. Asvat, a decision was taken to launch a Passive Resistance Campaign (as decided upon at the earlier meeting of 7 May) on 1 August 1939. The campaign was in response to the South African governments repressive against anti-Indian legislation. A 'Council of Action' for the campaign was set up with Dr. Yusuf Dadoo as chairman. India declared its support for the intended the campaign; however, following a request by Mahatma Gandhi, Passive Resistance was only implemented in June 1946, as Gandhi believed that an honourable settlement could still be achieved. By July of 1946 Passive Resistance protests had engulfed Natal resulting in police brutality against the resisters. On 8 July 1946 hundreds of resisters were arrested and appeared before court - some on as many as five different charges. The government attempted to side-step the real issue by charging resisters under the old 'Natal Law of Trespass'. The imprisoned Resisters were fined £5 each. They were told that if they did not pay their fines, their property would be confiscated. No one, however, paid the fine. The 'Riotous Assemblies Act' was invoked against the leaders of the movement, and they were given long terms of imprisonment.
In July 1939 at a meeting of 6,000 Indians, held at the Indian Sports Ground in Johannesburg under the chairmanship of E. I. Asvat, a decision was taken to launch a Passive Resistance Campaign (as decided upon at the earlier meeting of 7 May) on 1 August 1939. The campaign was in response to the South African governments repressive against anti-Indian legislation. A 'Council of Action' for the campaign was set up with Dr. Yusuf Dadoo as chairman. India declared its support for the intended the campaign; however, following a request by Mahatma Gandhi, Passive Resistance was only implemented in June 1946, as Gandhi believed that an honourable settlement could still be achieved. By July of 1946 Passive Resistance protests had engulfed Natal resulting in police brutality against the resisters. On 8 July 1946 hundreds of resisters were arrested and appeared before court - some on as many as five different charges. The government attempted to side-step the real issue by charging resisters under the old 'Natal Law of Trespass'. The imprisoned Resisters were fined £5 each. They were told that if they did not pay their fines, their property would be confiscated. No one, however, paid the fine. The 'Riotous Assemblies Act' was invoked against the leaders of the movement, and they were given long terms of imprisonment.
South Africa allowed to compete in the Olympics again - 1991
After being banned from the Olympic games for 21 years, the Olympics Committee ends it ban on participation by South Africa. This allowed South African athletes to compete in the 1992 summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
After being banned from the Olympic games for 21 years, the Olympics Committee ends it ban on participation by South Africa. This allowed South African athletes to compete in the 1992 summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.