Today in Kimberley's History
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Kimberley’s Big Hole "rushed" by hordes of diggers - 1871
Before the acknowledged Rush in July 1871 which saw Colesberg Kopje (also named Gilfillan’s Kop as well as the New Rush) mine was discovered, the owner of the farm Vooruitzicht, Johannes Nicolaas de Beer, had been prospecting in the area “for some time at odd intervals.” Historian George Beet himself does not commit to whom the discoverer of the first diamond was, but he does state that the Mine was discovered on or about the 16 July and then 'rushed' on 18 July 1871
Before the acknowledged Rush in July 1871 which saw Colesberg Kopje (also named Gilfillan’s Kop as well as the New Rush) mine was discovered, the owner of the farm Vooruitzicht, Johannes Nicolaas de Beer, had been prospecting in the area “for some time at odd intervals.” Historian George Beet himself does not commit to whom the discoverer of the first diamond was, but he does state that the Mine was discovered on or about the 16 July and then 'rushed' on 18 July 1871
Cecil Rhodes buys out Barney Barnet for £5 338 650 - 1889
Cecil Rhodes had laid his projected plan for amalgamation of the mines before Messrs Rothschild (of London), in 1887, and discussed it with Lord Rothschild and Carl Meyer, of N.M. Rothschild and Sons, both of whom were suitably impressed. Together with Alfred Beit, representing Jules Porges and Company (later Wernher, Beit and Company), the finance for the scheme was raised and Rhodes began buying as many shares in the Kimberley Mine that he could. It would be this seemingly limitless supply of money that would prove the difference between Barney Barnato and Cecil Rhodes. Undoubtedly Alfred Beit played a major role in firstly, raising the necessary finance, and secondly, having the wisdom and foresight to interpret Rhodes’ plans. The struggle between Rhodes and Barnato to form the De Beers Consolidated Mines was not without problems, and legal difficulties in the formation forced Barnato to liquidate his business, the Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Company, and on 18 July 1889 a then unprecedented sum of £5 338 650 was paid for the Kimberley Mine. (This is equivalent to more than R5 Billion in today’s monetary value.) The cheque is signed by Charles Nind and George Compton, both Directors of the De Beers Company, as well as by the company secretary, WH Craven. That same month De Beers had also acquired controlling interests in the Bultfontein and Dutoitspan Mines. With the consolidation Gardner Williams, the General Manager, put a comprehensive mining system into place on all four mines.
(Courtesy of Steve Lunderstedt in Kimberley Calls... and Recalls FaceBook page)
Cecil Rhodes had laid his projected plan for amalgamation of the mines before Messrs Rothschild (of London), in 1887, and discussed it with Lord Rothschild and Carl Meyer, of N.M. Rothschild and Sons, both of whom were suitably impressed. Together with Alfred Beit, representing Jules Porges and Company (later Wernher, Beit and Company), the finance for the scheme was raised and Rhodes began buying as many shares in the Kimberley Mine that he could. It would be this seemingly limitless supply of money that would prove the difference between Barney Barnato and Cecil Rhodes. Undoubtedly Alfred Beit played a major role in firstly, raising the necessary finance, and secondly, having the wisdom and foresight to interpret Rhodes’ plans. The struggle between Rhodes and Barnato to form the De Beers Consolidated Mines was not without problems, and legal difficulties in the formation forced Barnato to liquidate his business, the Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Company, and on 18 July 1889 a then unprecedented sum of £5 338 650 was paid for the Kimberley Mine. (This is equivalent to more than R5 Billion in today’s monetary value.) The cheque is signed by Charles Nind and George Compton, both Directors of the De Beers Company, as well as by the company secretary, WH Craven. That same month De Beers had also acquired controlling interests in the Bultfontein and Dutoitspan Mines. With the consolidation Gardner Williams, the General Manager, put a comprehensive mining system into place on all four mines.
(Courtesy of Steve Lunderstedt in Kimberley Calls... and Recalls FaceBook page)
DCMBLtd cheque for £5 338 650 was paid for the Kimberley Mine. (equivalent to R5 Billion in today’s monetary value)
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Gandhi leaves South Africa - 1914
Mohandas Gandhi, after successfully leading campaigns of Passive Resistance in this country, finally left from Cape Town by ship for England, from where he would return to India in January 1915. Deliberations between Gandhi and Gen J.C. Smuts led to the passing of the Indian Relief Act, by which the £3 tax on ex-indentured Indians was abolished, validity of Hindu and Moslem marriages recognised and children of Indians living in South Africa were enabled to join their parents in South Africa. This Act, which Gandhi claimed to be the Magna Carta of Indian liberty in SA, was passed in July, and it contributed to his view that his task in South Africa has been fulfilled. |
Mohandas Gandhi
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Nelson Mandela born - 1918
Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, on 18 July 1918. His mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, principal counsellor to the Acting King of the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo. In 1930, when he was 12 years old, his father died and the young Rolihlahla became a ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni. Hearing the elders’ stories of his ancestors’ valour during the wars of resistance, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people. |
Village of Mvezo in the Eastern Cape
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He attended primary school in Qunu where his teacher, Miss Mdingane, gave him the name Nelson, in accordance with the custom of giving all schoolchildren “Christian” names. He completed his Junior Certificate at Clarkebury Boarding Institute and went on to Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary school of some repute, where he matriculated. Mandela began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Fort Hare but did not complete the degree there as he was expelled for joining in a student protest. On his return to the Great Place at Mqhekezweni the King was furious and said if he didn’t return to Fort Hare he would arrange wives for him and his cousin Justice. They ran away to Johannesburg instead, arriving there in 1941.
Nelson Mandela marries Graça Machel on his 80th birthday - 1998
Nelson Mandela first married in 1944. He and his wife Evelyn had 2 children and divorced in 1957. A year later, he married Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Their marriage survived his 27 years in prison, but ended in divorce in 1996. Shortly after his release from prison, Mandela met Graça Machel, the widow of former Mozambican president, Samora Machel. Apart from her involvement in the Mozambican liberation struggle, Graca Machel is known as an international advocate for women and children rights, and headed the first United Nations study on the impact of war on children. The couple decided to tie the knot on Nelson Mandela's 80th birthday. Their marriage was announced at his birthday celebration, which was attended by 2,000 international guests.
Nelson Mandela first married in 1944. He and his wife Evelyn had 2 children and divorced in 1957. A year later, he married Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Their marriage survived his 27 years in prison, but ended in divorce in 1996. Shortly after his release from prison, Mandela met Graça Machel, the widow of former Mozambican president, Samora Machel. Apart from her involvement in the Mozambican liberation struggle, Graca Machel is known as an international advocate for women and children rights, and headed the first United Nations study on the impact of war on children. The couple decided to tie the knot on Nelson Mandela's 80th birthday. Their marriage was announced at his birthday celebration, which was attended by 2,000 international guests.
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United Nations declares 18th July, Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day) - 2010
On 27 April 2009, the 46664 concerts and the Nelson Mandela Foundation invited the global community to join them in support of an official Mandela Day. The 18 July, Mandela's birthday, was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. Mandela Day is not meant as a public holiday, but as a day to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela and his values, through volunteering and community service. Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact. The Mandela Day campaign message is: "Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We're asking you to start with 67 minutes." |
Nelson Mandela Day logo
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