Today in Kimberley's History
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Lord Alfred Milner, British Colonial Secretary, dies - 1925
Lord Alfred Milner, a career diplomat in the British Foreign Office in the late 19th century and early 20th century died in Canterbury, England. Milner came to South Africa in 1902 to preside over the transition to the Union of South Africa that became a reality in 1910. Milner arrived in South Africa soon after the South African War of 1899 to 1902 (also referred to as the Anglo- Boer War). His mission was to reconcile the British and the Afrikaner and ensure that they would cooperate in establishing a unified state with a single government. This became a delicate issue to resolve.
The Afrikaner, though defeated in the war, felt that they were not completely vanquished. The terms of surrender that they proposed envisaged their republics remaining independent of British control after the formation of Union. Milner arrived at a compromise. The Transvaal and Orange Free State were allowed to have responsible government in 1906, in preparation for a national election to be held in 1910. Milner’s administration played a critical role in shaping the constitution of the envisaged Union of South Africa even before it was passed into an act of parliament. The Union of South Africa Bill was completed in 1909 and sent to England to be discussed in the British Parliament. The Bill provided for the establishment of a unitary state that would exclude blacks (Africans, Coloureds and Indians) from the political process. Despite vociferous opposition from blacks the Bill was passed, becoming the Union South Africa Act of 1910. Soon after Milner returned to England and was replaced by Lord Gladstone as British Governor.
Lord Alfred Milner, a career diplomat in the British Foreign Office in the late 19th century and early 20th century died in Canterbury, England. Milner came to South Africa in 1902 to preside over the transition to the Union of South Africa that became a reality in 1910. Milner arrived in South Africa soon after the South African War of 1899 to 1902 (also referred to as the Anglo- Boer War). His mission was to reconcile the British and the Afrikaner and ensure that they would cooperate in establishing a unified state with a single government. This became a delicate issue to resolve.
The Afrikaner, though defeated in the war, felt that they were not completely vanquished. The terms of surrender that they proposed envisaged their republics remaining independent of British control after the formation of Union. Milner arrived at a compromise. The Transvaal and Orange Free State were allowed to have responsible government in 1906, in preparation for a national election to be held in 1910. Milner’s administration played a critical role in shaping the constitution of the envisaged Union of South Africa even before it was passed into an act of parliament. The Union of South Africa Bill was completed in 1909 and sent to England to be discussed in the British Parliament. The Bill provided for the establishment of a unitary state that would exclude blacks (Africans, Coloureds and Indians) from the political process. Despite vociferous opposition from blacks the Bill was passed, becoming the Union South Africa Act of 1910. Soon after Milner returned to England and was replaced by Lord Gladstone as British Governor.
Dipuo Peters is born - 1960
Former Premier of Northern Cape Province and member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC Women's League, Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, was born in the Kimberley Diamond Fields region. .
Former Premier of Northern Cape Province and member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC Women's League, Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, was born in the Kimberley Diamond Fields region. .
PAC leader Robert Sobukwe is released - 1969
Pan-Africanist Congress leader, Robert Sobukwe, was arrested after the Sharpeville anti-pass campaign of 1960 and harshly sentenced to three years in prison. At the end of his sentence, Parliament enacted a General Law Amendment Act, which empowered the Minister of Justice to prolong the detention of any political prisoner indefinitely. Subsequently, Sobukwe was moved to Robben Island, where he remained for an additional six years. The Minister of Justice, Jimmy Kruger, announced that Sobukwe was being released from detention on 13 May 1969. On his release, Sobukwe was allowed to join his family in Galeshewe, Kimberley. However, he still remained under twelve-hour house arrest under the Suppression of Communism Act of 1950. Sobukwe was therefore prohibited from taking part in political activities as result of the banning order, and as such could not be quoted by any person or by the press. During his incarceration Sobukwe obtained an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of London, and also began studying for a Law Degree. He died in 1978 at Kimberley Hospital. The Hospital was renamed Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in September 2018.
Pan-Africanist Congress leader, Robert Sobukwe, was arrested after the Sharpeville anti-pass campaign of 1960 and harshly sentenced to three years in prison. At the end of his sentence, Parliament enacted a General Law Amendment Act, which empowered the Minister of Justice to prolong the detention of any political prisoner indefinitely. Subsequently, Sobukwe was moved to Robben Island, where he remained for an additional six years. The Minister of Justice, Jimmy Kruger, announced that Sobukwe was being released from detention on 13 May 1969. On his release, Sobukwe was allowed to join his family in Galeshewe, Kimberley. However, he still remained under twelve-hour house arrest under the Suppression of Communism Act of 1950. Sobukwe was therefore prohibited from taking part in political activities as result of the banning order, and as such could not be quoted by any person or by the press. During his incarceration Sobukwe obtained an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of London, and also began studying for a Law Degree. He died in 1978 at Kimberley Hospital. The Hospital was renamed Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in September 2018.