Today in Kimberley's History
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Inauguration of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) - 1922
The inauguration of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits) was celebrated a few months after the University College, Johannesburg was granted full university status on 1 March 1922. Prince Arthur of Connaught, governor-general of the Union of South Africa, became the University's first chancellor, and Professor Jan H. Hofmeyr its first principal. Building began at Milner Park on a site donated to the University by the Johannesburg municipality.
The inauguration of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits) was celebrated a few months after the University College, Johannesburg was granted full university status on 1 March 1922. Prince Arthur of Connaught, governor-general of the Union of South Africa, became the University's first chancellor, and Professor Jan H. Hofmeyr its first principal. Building began at Milner Park on a site donated to the University by the Johannesburg municipality.
Table Mountain cableway is inaugurated - 1929
On 4 October 1929 the Table Mountain cableway, one of the world’s biggest tourist attractions in Cape Town, was inaugurated. The official ceremony was opened by the Mayor of Cape Town, Rev. A. J. S. Lewis and attended by more than 200. By the 1870s many Cape Town citizens had suggested the introduction of a railway line to the top of Table Mountain but plans to implement a proposed rack railway were delayed by the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer war. In 1912 the Cape Town City Council commissioned an engineer, H.M. Peter, to find various options for public transport to the top of the mountain. Peter suggested that a funicular railway line running up from Oranjezicht through Platteklip Gorge would be the most suitable option but the project was interrupted yet again by war, this time the outbreak of the First World War (1914 - 1918). A Norwegian engineer, Trygve Stromsoe, proposed to the Council the building of a cableway. Within two years, at a cost of £60 000, the cableway was complete. The car could ascend the mountain in under 10 minutes and carried 19 passengers and a conductor.
On 4 October 1929 the Table Mountain cableway, one of the world’s biggest tourist attractions in Cape Town, was inaugurated. The official ceremony was opened by the Mayor of Cape Town, Rev. A. J. S. Lewis and attended by more than 200. By the 1870s many Cape Town citizens had suggested the introduction of a railway line to the top of Table Mountain but plans to implement a proposed rack railway were delayed by the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer war. In 1912 the Cape Town City Council commissioned an engineer, H.M. Peter, to find various options for public transport to the top of the mountain. Peter suggested that a funicular railway line running up from Oranjezicht through Platteklip Gorge would be the most suitable option but the project was interrupted yet again by war, this time the outbreak of the First World War (1914 - 1918). A Norwegian engineer, Trygve Stromsoe, proposed to the Council the building of a cableway. Within two years, at a cost of £60 000, the cableway was complete. The car could ascend the mountain in under 10 minutes and carried 19 passengers and a conductor.
Lesotho gains independence from Britain - 1966
Lesotho is one of the smallest countries in the world, with just over 30 000 km2 of land. It has a population of approximately two million. The country gained its independence from Britain on 4 October 1966. The day has become known as Lesotho’s National Day and is celebrated yearly. Lesotho is the only country in the world that entirely lies above 1000 metres in elevation. It is also unique in being one of a few countries that are completely surrounded by another country. The Lesotho government is a constitutional monarchy.
Lesotho is one of the smallest countries in the world, with just over 30 000 km2 of land. It has a population of approximately two million. The country gained its independence from Britain on 4 October 1966. The day has become known as Lesotho’s National Day and is celebrated yearly. Lesotho is the only country in the world that entirely lies above 1000 metres in elevation. It is also unique in being one of a few countries that are completely surrounded by another country. The Lesotho government is a constitutional monarchy.