Today in Kimberley's History
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Something happened today in Kimberley's history, but we don't know what it was...
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President Paul Kruger (78), dies of heart failure in Clarens, Switzerland - 1904
Paul Kruger (Stephanus Johannes Paulus) was born on 10 October 1825 in the Steynsburg district. When the Great Trek started in 1836, he joined the trek party of Hendrik Potgieter, and later settled on a farm at the foot of the Magaliesberg in 1841. After the death of his first wife and child, he married Gezina du Plessis, with whom he had 7 daughters and 9 sons. Kruger started his political career as a Commandant General and soon thereafter became the Vice president of the Transvaal. When the Transvaal had been annexed by the British, Kruger took leadership of the resistance movement. Once the first war of independence against the British broke out in 1881, Kruger was instrumental in negotiating the Transvaal's independence under British sovereignty. In 1882, he became the President of the Transvaal, a position held until 1898, before the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War. As British forces advanced on Pretoria, Kruger left the capital of the Transvaal and was given refuge in Europe. He settled in Clarens, Switzerland for the last six months of his life where he died of heart failure on 14 July 1904. His remains were returned to South Africa and he was buried in the Pretoria Church Street cemetery on 16 December 1904. |
Paul Kruger (Photo Public Domain)
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Violence erupts in Richmond, KZN - 1998
Underlying political tensions between supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) and Inkatha Freedom Party resurfaced in KwaZulu Natal in the late 90's. In order to prevent open hostilities the ANC, IFP and United Democratic Movement (UDM) convened a meeting in Richmond - a hotbed of violence. The Local Transitional Council was to lead the proceedings. Anger arose over the inclusion of Sifiso Nkabinde, who had been expelled by the ANC for his involvement in the very violence under discussion. This was made worse by the choice of ANC member and MEC of Safety and Security Nyanga Ngubane to chair the meeting. The meeting took place on 14 July 1998. Following the session, violence broke out and ten people were reported to have been killed, including two prominent ANC members from Richmond. Both parties were criticised for the violence and accused of false motives as well as not having control over members.
Underlying political tensions between supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) and Inkatha Freedom Party resurfaced in KwaZulu Natal in the late 90's. In order to prevent open hostilities the ANC, IFP and United Democratic Movement (UDM) convened a meeting in Richmond - a hotbed of violence. The Local Transitional Council was to lead the proceedings. Anger arose over the inclusion of Sifiso Nkabinde, who had been expelled by the ANC for his involvement in the very violence under discussion. This was made worse by the choice of ANC member and MEC of Safety and Security Nyanga Ngubane to chair the meeting. The meeting took place on 14 July 1998. Following the session, violence broke out and ten people were reported to have been killed, including two prominent ANC members from Richmond. Both parties were criticised for the violence and accused of false motives as well as not having control over members.