Today in Kimberley's History
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Piet Retief, Voortrekker leader, is born - 1780
On 12 October 1780 Voortrekker leader, Piet Retief was born at Wagenmakers Vallei, now known as Wellington. Retief grew up on the vineyard, Welvanpas, in what became the Cape Colony under British rule. At the age of 27 he left for Stellenbosch, but eventually settled in Grahamstown, where he acquired his wealth through livestock farming following in his father’s foot-steps. During this period many Afrikaners were growing increasingly disgruntled with British rule at the Cape Colony. This led to Retief publishing a manifesto in 1837 in which he listed the grievances of many Afrikaners including the low compensation to farmers for freed slaves, as well as the cattle raids by the Xhosa on the Cape Frontier, from which the British government provided no protection or compensation. In what is known as the Great Trek, Retief led other Afrikaans farmers in a migration to the interior of the country, where they could be free from British control. Retief is regarded by many Afrikaners as a hero of Great Trek, and is memorialized for his courage.
On 12 October 1780 Voortrekker leader, Piet Retief was born at Wagenmakers Vallei, now known as Wellington. Retief grew up on the vineyard, Welvanpas, in what became the Cape Colony under British rule. At the age of 27 he left for Stellenbosch, but eventually settled in Grahamstown, where he acquired his wealth through livestock farming following in his father’s foot-steps. During this period many Afrikaners were growing increasingly disgruntled with British rule at the Cape Colony. This led to Retief publishing a manifesto in 1837 in which he listed the grievances of many Afrikaners including the low compensation to farmers for freed slaves, as well as the cattle raids by the Xhosa on the Cape Frontier, from which the British government provided no protection or compensation. In what is known as the Great Trek, Retief led other Afrikaans farmers in a migration to the interior of the country, where they could be free from British control. Retief is regarded by many Afrikaners as a hero of Great Trek, and is memorialized for his courage.
28 days since beginning of the Siege of Kimberley, 1899
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
Our men had gone out very early and taken up a very good position, unknown to the enemy, in a natural trench in the veld. A party of Boer advanced within 600 yards of them. Colonel Scott-Turner said: 'Don't fire till I give the word' - though the men's hands trembled to pull the trigger. The Boers came still another 100 yards nearer, when they must have caught sight of something suspicious, for they werejust beginning to wheel round as the Colonel quietly said to Major McGregor: 'Now, Major, you may work your will on them!' - and the Boers fled in a hailstorm of bullets, till they found cover; where, as usual, they waited for our men to retire before they returned the fire.
They aimed at the ambulance as it was bringing in the wounded man on the field, and took six 'pot' shots at Jack, who was riding in front of the mules to show the driver the easiest route to avoid jarring the poor fellow more than was absolutely necessary.
In the afternoon they were out again, beyond Kenilworth, where the cattle guards were threatened, and Jack and his ambulance were halted by the Kimberley dust heaps for two hours - a 'savoury' spot on a hot afternoon; and after all there was no need for it, as the enemy retired when they saw our artillery coming.
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
Our men had gone out very early and taken up a very good position, unknown to the enemy, in a natural trench in the veld. A party of Boer advanced within 600 yards of them. Colonel Scott-Turner said: 'Don't fire till I give the word' - though the men's hands trembled to pull the trigger. The Boers came still another 100 yards nearer, when they must have caught sight of something suspicious, for they werejust beginning to wheel round as the Colonel quietly said to Major McGregor: 'Now, Major, you may work your will on them!' - and the Boers fled in a hailstorm of bullets, till they found cover; where, as usual, they waited for our men to retire before they returned the fire.
They aimed at the ambulance as it was bringing in the wounded man on the field, and took six 'pot' shots at Jack, who was riding in front of the mules to show the driver the easiest route to avoid jarring the poor fellow more than was absolutely necessary.
In the afternoon they were out again, beyond Kenilworth, where the cattle guards were threatened, and Jack and his ambulance were halted by the Kimberley dust heaps for two hours - a 'savoury' spot on a hot afternoon; and after all there was no need for it, as the enemy retired when they saw our artillery coming.
Funeral of 13 people killed by police during the Mayibuye Uprising on 8th November - 1952
On 8th November 1952 protesters intended to march towards the centre of Kimberley and threatened to burn the petrol depot in Cecil Sussman Road. However, before they could reach the depot, the police stopped the march by firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Thirteen people were killed and 78 wounded. This protest became know as the Mayibuye Uprising. The subsequent mass funeral was held on 12 November 1952 at Kimberley’s West End Cemetery.
Detained following the massacre were alleged ‘ring-leaders’ Dr Arthur Letele, Sam Phakedi, Pepys Madibane, Olehile Sehume, Alexander Nkoane, Daniel Chabalala and David Mpiwa. Archdeacon Wade of St Matthew’s Church, as a witness at the subsequent inquiry, placed the blame squarely on the policy of apartheid – including poor housing, lighting and public transport, together with "unfulfilled promises" – which he said "brought about the conditions which led to the riots."
On 8th November 1952 protesters intended to march towards the centre of Kimberley and threatened to burn the petrol depot in Cecil Sussman Road. However, before they could reach the depot, the police stopped the march by firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Thirteen people were killed and 78 wounded. This protest became know as the Mayibuye Uprising. The subsequent mass funeral was held on 12 November 1952 at Kimberley’s West End Cemetery.
Detained following the massacre were alleged ‘ring-leaders’ Dr Arthur Letele, Sam Phakedi, Pepys Madibane, Olehile Sehume, Alexander Nkoane, Daniel Chabalala and David Mpiwa. Archdeacon Wade of St Matthew’s Church, as a witness at the subsequent inquiry, placed the blame squarely on the policy of apartheid – including poor housing, lighting and public transport, together with "unfulfilled promises" – which he said "brought about the conditions which led to the riots."