Today in Kimberley's History
|
|
|
|
1 day 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 first thought after this was to get to Kimberley, though the Boers were closing round there, and, indeed, were reported to be (in a telegram) at the 'Half-Way House' - on our very road.
Jack said that this was a 'White man's War', and that 'every Englishman strong enough ought to offer his services for his Queen', and he would not remain to serve the Boers as a doctor. So, as he and Harry were no longer required to defend Barkly, we made swift preparations and got away; leaving everything we possessed behind; merely taking a few papers and enough provisions for 24 hours, in case of a forced halt in the bush.
Jack carried Reggie, having fastened him on his back with a blanket (Native fashion), and afterwards changed him to the front. Harry rode a borrowed mare, and I had my own grey horse.
Though not seeing any Boers at the 'Half-Way House', we, nevertheless, galloped the last ten miles into Kimberley, and the sentry at the Barrier there pointed out the direction where the enemy was massing, which proved to be only a few miles on our left.
On our arrival, 23 miles in 2.25 hours, after many challenges and suspicious looks thrown at our saddle bags, we took rooms at the Grand Hotel. That night we all slept well for the first time for three days, Reggie seeming none the worse for his long and hard ride.
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
Our first thought after this was to get to Kimberley, though the Boers were closing round there, and, indeed, were reported to be (in a telegram) at the 'Half-Way House' - on our very road.
Jack said that this was a 'White man's War', and that 'every Englishman strong enough ought to offer his services for his Queen', and he would not remain to serve the Boers as a doctor. So, as he and Harry were no longer required to defend Barkly, we made swift preparations and got away; leaving everything we possessed behind; merely taking a few papers and enough provisions for 24 hours, in case of a forced halt in the bush.
Jack carried Reggie, having fastened him on his back with a blanket (Native fashion), and afterwards changed him to the front. Harry rode a borrowed mare, and I had my own grey horse.
Though not seeing any Boers at the 'Half-Way House', we, nevertheless, galloped the last ten miles into Kimberley, and the sentry at the Barrier there pointed out the direction where the enemy was massing, which proved to be only a few miles on our left.
On our arrival, 23 miles in 2.25 hours, after many challenges and suspicious looks thrown at our saddle bags, we took rooms at the Grand Hotel. That night we all slept well for the first time for three days, Reggie seeming none the worse for his long and hard ride.
Charlotte Maxeke, the Mother of Black Freedom in SA, dies, 1939
Charlotte Maxeke (Photo Public Domain)
|
One of Kimberley’s most remarkable Black women was Charlotte Makgomo Maxeke, nee Mannye. She was born in Limpopo Province in 1874 and grew up in a Christian milieu, receiving a missionary education in the Eastern Cape. After qualifying as a teacher, she taught in Kimberley where she joined the African Choir. The Choir, which comprised a number of Black Kimberley singers as well as a group from Lovedale College in the Eastern Cape, departed on a tour of England and North America in 1891 which lasted until 1893. At first it was quite successful and they were received by Queen Victoria, while the press was full of praise. However, it was a financial disaster and the animosity between the Kimberley group and the Eastern Cape group eventually led to the dissolution of the choir.
While the group was touring the United States in 1893 Charlotte’s life took a dramatic turn. While the choir was performing in New York she decided to abandon her singing career and enroll at the Wilberforce University in Cleveland. There she acquired a Bachelor of Science, the first Black woman from South Africa to receive a baccalaureate degree. On returning to South Africa Charlotte became the organiser of the Women’s Mite Missionary Society in Johannesburg, after which she went to Pietermaritzburg where she became a teacher-evangelist. She married Reverend M.M. Maxeke, who was also a graduate of Wilberforce University, in 1930. Charlotte was far better known for her political activities than for her music. She founded the Bantu Women’s League of the South African Native National Congress in 1918, and even before her death on 16 October 1939 was honoured as “Mother of Black Freedom in South Africa.” (Written by Maureen Rall). |
Albert Luthuli is elected ANC President - 1952
The African National Congress (ANC) was founded as the SANCC in 1912. John Dube was its first president, and the well known writer and poet, Sol Plaatje, was one of its founding members. Formed in protest of the treatment of black South Africans, it became known as the ANC in 1923, and it main aim was to seek the political, social and economic upliftment for the black community. The popularity of this organization grew immensely and by the 1940s, a Women's League and a Youth League had been formed.
Following the Nationalist Party victory and the implementation of Apartheid in 1948, the ANC launched the Programme of Action strikes and boycotts against the oppressive regime. Among the leadership of of ANC during this time included Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela, with Albert Luthuli elected the president-general on 16 October 1952. Following his election, Luthuli's movements were restricted by the apartheid government in the form of banning orders. In 1956, he was arrested and charged with treason, but subsequent to these charge being dropped, he was faced with another 5 year ban.
In 1961, Luthuli was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He continued in his political work, but was thought to have distanced himself from the ANC after the founding of the military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), due to his passive approach to political activism. Luthuli's enormous contribution to the liberation struggle in South Africa is without dispute. He has been lauded as one of the greatest men in South African history and this is reflected in the 'Order of Luthuli', the highest award for contributions to democracy, human rights, justice and peace.
The African National Congress (ANC) was founded as the SANCC in 1912. John Dube was its first president, and the well known writer and poet, Sol Plaatje, was one of its founding members. Formed in protest of the treatment of black South Africans, it became known as the ANC in 1923, and it main aim was to seek the political, social and economic upliftment for the black community. The popularity of this organization grew immensely and by the 1940s, a Women's League and a Youth League had been formed.
Following the Nationalist Party victory and the implementation of Apartheid in 1948, the ANC launched the Programme of Action strikes and boycotts against the oppressive regime. Among the leadership of of ANC during this time included Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela, with Albert Luthuli elected the president-general on 16 October 1952. Following his election, Luthuli's movements were restricted by the apartheid government in the form of banning orders. In 1956, he was arrested and charged with treason, but subsequent to these charge being dropped, he was faced with another 5 year ban.
In 1961, Luthuli was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He continued in his political work, but was thought to have distanced himself from the ANC after the founding of the military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), due to his passive approach to political activism. Luthuli's enormous contribution to the liberation struggle in South Africa is without dispute. He has been lauded as one of the greatest men in South African history and this is reflected in the 'Order of Luthuli', the highest award for contributions to democracy, human rights, justice and peace.