Cecil John Rhodes (1853–1902)
Why Kimberley Matters
Over the years, we have noticed that many of our guests—whether visiting Kimberley for business or leisure—have wondered why this remarkable city has played such an important role in South Africa's history over the past 160 years.
These pages invite you on a coffee-table journey through Kimberley's past, from the discovery of the Eureka Diamond in 1867 and the Great Diamond Rush, through wars, political change and the rise of the world's diamond industry, to the city we know today. They are not intended to be an academic history, but rather an enjoyable introduction to the people, places and events that shaped Kimberley.
So, make yourself comfortable, pour a cappuccino or a cup of chai, and enjoy exploring the remarkable story of one of South Africa's most fascinating cities.
Portrait of Cecil John Rhodes (1853–1902), the mining magnate, politician and imperialist whose rise to power began on the Kimberley diamond fields. The portrait is commonly attributed to Sir Hubert von Herkomer.
Empire Builder, Diamond Magnate and Kimberley's Most Controversial Citizen
Few individuals have shaped Kimberley's history as profoundly as Cecil John Rhodes. Few have also inspired such enduring debate.
Cecil John Rhodes remains one of the most influential—and controversial—figures in Kimberley's history. Arriving on the diamond fields as an eighteen-year-old in 1871, he built De Beers into the world's largest diamond company and transformed Kimberley from a chaotic mining camp into the centre of the global diamond trade.
His influence, however, extended far beyond mining. As Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, he pursued an ambitious vision of British imperial expansion across southern Africa, helping shape the region's political landscape for generations. At the same time, many of his policies promoted racial segregation, land dispossession and systems of labour that would have lasting consequences.
Today, Rhodes is remembered in very different ways. To some, he was a brilliant entrepreneur and visionary whose business acumen changed the world diamond industry. To others, he was an architect of imperialism whose political beliefs helped lay the foundations for racial inequality in southern Africa. Understanding Kimberley's history means understanding both sides of this remarkable and deeply complex individual.
Other Voices During the Diamond Rush
Cecil Rhodes – Mining magnate and empire builder
Barney Barnato – Diamond entrepreneur and Rhodes' greatest rival
Charles Rudd – Business partner and mining pioneer
John Orr – Merchant, philanthropist and civic leader
Rudyard Kipling – Young journalist and future literary giant
A Sickly Young Man Arrives in Kimberley
Cecil John Rhodes was born on 5 July 1853 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, the fifth son of the Reverend Francis William Rhodes and his wife, Louisa. Frail health plagued him throughout his childhood, and doctors advised that a warmer climate might improve his condition.
In September 1870, at the age of seventeen, Rhodes arrived in Durban to join his elder brother Herbert, who had established a cotton farm in Natal. The venture proved unsuccessful, but news of extraordinary diamond discoveries on the banks of the Vaal River soon changed the brothers' fortunes. Herbert travelled first to the rapidly expanding diamond diggings.
In 1871, eighteen-year-old Cecil followed his brother to New Rush. The young Rhodes entered a town unlike anything he had ever experienced. Thousands of fortune seekers from around the world crowded the dusty diggings, each hoping to discover a fortune beneath the African soil. Claims were bought and sold daily, fortunes appeared overnight, and the landscape was dominated by what would eventually become the Big Hole.
Rhodes quickly recognised that the greatest wealth would not come from finding diamonds, but from controlling the mines themselves.
Building a Diamond Empire
Rhodes' first claims proved profitable, but he soon realised that Kimberley's future lay in consolidation rather than competition. After forming a partnership with fellow Englishman Charles Rudd, the two began steadily purchasing neighbouring claims whenever opportunities arose. They also demonstrated an entrepreneurial flair that set them apart from many other diggers, importing an ice-making machine from England and selling ice to miners working beneath Kimberley's relentless summer sun.
By 1873, Rhodes had accumulated sufficient wealth to begin studying at Oxford University, although he frequently returned to Kimberley to oversee his growing business interests. The city remained the centre of his ambitions. Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, Rhodes systematically expanded his holdings around the De Beers Mine. His strategy was simple but revolutionary: rather than allowing hundreds of independent claim owners to compete, he believed that a single company could manage production more efficiently, stabilise diamond prices and ensure long-term profitability. Rhodes, Rudd, and four others created the De Beers Mining Company Limited from their ninety claims in these mines. With the initial capital of £200,000, they plotted to expand the business and amalgamate all 622 registered claims.
The greatest obstacle to Rhodes's ambitions was Barney Barnato, whose Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Company had become De Beers' principal rival. What followed was one of the most famous business contests in South African history, as the two men battled for control of Kimberley's diamond industry.
The struggle reached its climax in March 1888 in Rhodes' Board Room when he secured control of Kimberley Central in a deal worth £5,338,650. Rather than continue their costly rivalry, Barnato agreed to merge his company with De Beers and became a life governor of the new enterprise. The merger created De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, with Rhodes as its first chairman.
By the end of the nineteenth century, De Beers controlled approximately ninety per cent of the world's diamond production. Kimberley had become the undisputed diamond capital of the world. For the city, the impact was enormous.
Consolidation brought greater investment, improved mining technology, expanded railway connections and the growth of Kimberley as an international commercial centre. De Beers became not merely a mining company but the institution around which much of the city's economic and social life revolved.
Historic De Beers Consolidated Mines cheque for £5,338,650 associated with the acquisition of the Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Company interests during the consolidation of Kimberley’s diamond mines.
From Diamond Magnate to Prime Minister
Business success soon led Rhodes into politics. In 1881, he entered the Cape Parliament as the representative for Barkly West, and in 1890, aged only thirty-seven, became Prime Minister of the Cape Colony.
Rhodes believed passionately in the expansion of the British Empire. His famous vision of a railway stretching from Cape Town to Cairo reflected his belief that Britain should dominate much of Africa politically, economically and strategically.
During his premiership he encouraged railway construction, expanded British influence northwards and supported the colonisation of territories that would later become Zimbabwe and Zambia, both once collectively known as Rhodesia.
Many of these developments were directed from Kimberley, where Rhodes continued to spend much of his time overseeing De Beers and planning his wider ambitions.
A Brilliant Vision – A Controversial Legacy
Rhodes was undoubtedly one of the most gifted businessmen of the Victorian era. His ability to recognise opportunity, raise finance and build powerful organisations transformed the diamond industry and helped establish Kimberley as one of the world's most important mining centres. Yet his political legacy is far more controversial.
Rhodes believed firmly in British imperial expansion and regarded Anglo-Saxon civilisation as superior to others. His government introduced legislation, including the Glen Grey Act of 1894, that encouraged Africans to leave communal land and enter wage labour. These policies, together with other restrictions on land ownership and voting rights, are now regarded by many historians as important steps towards the systems of segregation that later developed in South Africa.
His role in supporting the failed Jameson Raid of 1895–1896 further damaged his political reputation and ultimately forced his resignation as Prime Minister.
More than a century after his death, Rhodes remains the subject of vigorous debate. His name has been removed from some public spaces, while institutions such as the Rhodes Scholarship continue to recognise his educational legacy. Historians today generally acknowledge both his extraordinary achievements and the profound harm caused by many of his political beliefs and policies. Understanding Rhodes requires recognising both realities.
Rhodes and the Siege of Kimberley
When the Anglo-Boer War began in October 1899, Rhodes travelled to Kimberley despite advice to remain away. His presence during the 124-day Siege of Kimberley proved highly controversial. Determined to influence the city's defence, Rhodes frequently clashed with Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kekewich, the military commander responsible for protecting Kimberley.
Despite these disagreements, De Beers played a vital role throughout the siege. Company engineers helped construct fortifications, manufactured artillery shells, supplied water and refrigeration facilities, and produced the famous Long Cecil gun to help defend the city. Rhodes also used his considerable political influence to lobby the British Government to relieve Kimberley as quickly as possible.
Rhodes in the Saddle Looking North
The bronze equestrian statue of Cecil John Rhodes was funded through public subscriptions from local citizens, alongside a substantial land contribution from his close business associate, Alfred Beit. It was unveiled on 4 December 1907 by the Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir Walter Francis Hely-Hutchinson.
Although remembered as a businessman and politician, Rhodes was also an enthusiastic horseman. From his earliest years on the Diamond Fields, he regularly travelled on horseback to inspect mines, farms and construction projects.
Cecil Rhodes portrayed on horseback, looking northwards across Africa. The image reflects the imperial vision later embodied in Hamo Thornycroft’s equestrian statue in Kimberley. Published in The Bystander, 8 January 1908.
The bronze equestrian statue of Cecil John Rhodes in Kimberley, sculpted by Sir Hamo Thornycroft and unveiled on 4 December 1907. Rhodes is shown on horseback holding a map of Africa and looking northwards. Photo: © Richard Jones, February 2006.
One of the bronze relief panels on the plinth of the Cecil Rhodes equestrian statue, depicting Rhodes addressing the Cape Parliament during his political career. Photo: © Richard Jones, February 2006.
Today, the statue is recognised not only as an outstanding work of art but also as a reminder of one of the most influential—and controversial—figures in southern African history. One of the most striking features of the statue is that Rhodes faces north, holding a map of Africa in his left hand. The pose symbolises his vision of extending British influence northwards across the African continent—an ambition that became closely associated with his political career and with the expansion of British imperial rule during the late nineteenth century.
Friends recalled that he preferred riding early in the morning and often covered long distances while considering business matters or planning future developments. The clothing depicted by Thornycroft is believed to represent that worn by Rhodes during his famous indaba with the Matabele leaders in the Matobo Hills, an event regarded by many contemporaries as one of the defining moments of his career.
Side view of the Cecil John Rhodes equestrian monument in Kimberley, with Thornycroft’s bronze figure mounted on its massive granite plinth. The monument was unveiled in 1907. Photo: © Richard Jones, February 2006.
Front view of the Cecil John Rhodes equestrian monument in Kimberley, with Thornycroft’s bronze figure mounted on its massive granite plinth. Photo: © Richard Jones, February 2006.
Study for the Kimberley statue of Cecil Rhodes by Sir Hamo Thornycroft, 1904. The surviving plaster model shows the sculptor developing the pose later used for the monumental equestrian statue.
The inscription on the granite plinth of the Cecil Rhodes equestrian monument, recording Rhodes’ public offices and the dedication of the statue to the people of Kimberley. Photo: © Richard Jones, February 2006.
CECIL JOHN RHODES
BORN JULY 5TH 1853, DIED MARCH 26th 1902.
CHAIRMAN OF DE BEERS CONSOLIDATED MINES.
MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR BARKLY WEST.
FOUNDER OF RHODESIA.
PRIME MINISTER OF THE CAPE COLONY.
HON. D.C.L. UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.
A MEMBER OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL
THIS STATUE HAS BEEN ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION ON A SITE ACQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSE AND PRESENTED BY HIS VALUED FRIEND, Mr ALFRED BEIT, AS AN ENDURING TOKEN OF THE ESTEEM IN WHICH HE WAS HELD. AND THE AFFECTION WITH WHICH HIS MEMORY IS CHERISHED BY THE PEOPLE AMONG WHOM HE SPENT THE BEST YEARS OF HIS LIFE.
EHEU! QUANTO MINUS EST CUM ALIIS VERSARI QUAM TUI MEMINISSE.
THIS MEMORIAL WAS UNVEILED, AND DEDICATED TO THE PEOPLE OF KIMBERLEY ON THE 4TH DAY OF DECEMBER 1907
BY HIS EXCELLENCY SIR WALTER FRANCIS HELY - HUTCHINSON, & G.M. G. THE GOVERNOR OF THE CAPE COLONY.
HAMO THORNYCROFT. R.A. SC.
Sir Hamo Thornycroft's Masterpiece
Cast in bronze and mounted on a massive granite plinth, Thornycroft’s monument is one of Kimberley’s most imposing public sculptures. Rather than depicting Rhodes in ceremonial dress, the sculptor portrayed him in the practical clothing associated with his travels through southern Africa. The pose, with Rhodes mounted on horseback and looking north while holding a map of Africa, deliberately evokes the imperial ambitions that became closely associated with his career.
Today, the statue continues to encourage discussion about both Rhodes' achievements and the lasting impact of British colonial expansion in southern Africa. Thornycroft's decision to portray Rhodes on horseback was therefore more than an artistic choice—it reflected one of the activities for which he was well known during his lifetime.
Visitor Information
Location: 13 D'Arcy Street, Kimberley
Parking: Visitors can park along the kerb next to the monument
Duration: Allow about 10–15 minutes to view the monument and its relief panels.
Nearby: Combine your visit with St Mary’s Cathedral, the Kimberley Club and The Corner, all situated along Du Toitspan Road.
Rhodes' Legacy in Kimberley
Rhodes made his final visit to Kimberley on 24 June 1901 while travelling south from Bulawayo. Although his health had deteriorated significantly, he continued to involve himself in De Beers' affairs. One well-known Kimberley story recalls Rhodes arriving at the company's headquarters only to find the doors locked because diamonds were being moved. Frustrated after receiving no response to repeated knocking, he reportedly kicked the heavy door open before reminding staff never to keep him waiting again.
Less than a year later, on 26 March 1902, Cecil Rhodes died of heart failure at Muizenberg near Cape Town. He was only 48 years old. Honouring his wishes, Rhodes was buried at World's View in the Matobo Hills of present-day Zimbabwe.
Rhodes' influence remains visible throughout Kimberley. The company he created, De Beers, has shaped the city's economy for more than a century. Streets, buildings and institutions still reflect his impact on the Diamond City, with the important and lasting symbol of remembrance unveiled in 1904, and the impressive equestrian statue, unveiled in 1907, standing as two of Kimberley's most recognisable landmarks.
Honouring the Defenders of Kimberley: Rhodes did not live to see one of the memorials most closely associated with his vision for Kimberley. During the South African War, he asked the architect Sir Herbert Baker to design a monument honouring those who had defended the city during the 124-day Siege of Kimberley. Although Rhodes died in March 1902 before construction began, his wishes were fulfilled with the unveiling of the magnificent Honoured Dead Memorial in November 1904. Today, it remains one of Kimberley's most important historical landmarks and a lasting symbol of remembrance.
Road to the North: The bronze statue of Rhodes on horseback, designed by Sir Hamo Thornycroft and funded by public subscription, was unveiled in December 1907. The impressive equestrian statue depicts Rhodes looking northwards, symbolising his vision of British expansion into Africa. Today, it serves not only as a memorial to one man but also as a reminder of Kimberley's remarkable role in world history. Like the man it commemorates, the monument continues to provoke discussion about history, memory and how societies remember influential but controversial figures.
Continue Exploring Kimberley
Whether your interests lie in history, culture, dining, shopping, entertainment, or simply discovering somewhere new, we hope these guides help you make the most of your time in Kimberley. If you're planning a visit to the City that Sparkles, Solomon Edwardian Guest House offers elegant accommodation in the historic suburb of Beaconsfield. Ideally situated for business and leisure travellers alike, The Solomon provides a comfortable base from which to explore.