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Northern Cape Diamond
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NORTHERN CAPE
DIAMOND FIELDS - Kimberley
KIMBERLEY
Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape, is
also often called the Diamond Capital of the World.
Without the frenzied pace of larger cities, this
city offers the lessons learned from the past,
the convenience of modern facilities and the promise
of a bright future, as its people rally round
to ensure its growth and prosperity.
It is an enigmatic city, its character difficult
to pin down. Modern goods are sold from antiquated
buildings and hyper-modern structures reach towards
the sky in a curious mix of old and new, modern
and historic. Long-time inhabitants exchange friendly
greetings on the city streets as they walk past
historic buildings to enter a fast- food restaurant
on the corner.
The history of Kimberley tells of success and
vast wealth, but also of heartbreak and lost hopes.
While the fortunes of some improved to such an
extent that they went on to finance the development
of the Witwatersrand gold mines, many came to
the diamond fields with stars in their eyes and
found only tears. However, the tragedies did not
stop new hopefuls from arriving every day, each
new arrival contributing to the growth of a city.
Development started in 1871, when diamond deposits
were found on the farm Vooruitzig, which belonged
to the De Beers brothers. By 1872, a mining town,
home to more than 50 000 people, had grown where
once only the springbok roamed.
At first called “New Rush”, the name
of the town was changed to Kimberley in 1873,
in honour of the Earl of Kimberley, the British
Secretary of State for the colonies at the time.
Within a short space of time, the haphazardly
planned tent town mushroomed into a city of substance
and was the first in the Southern Hemisphere to
install electric streetlights and the first in
South Africa to have a stock exchange. At one
time, Kimberley also had the dubious honour of
being the town with the most pubs per person,
in the world.
Galeshewe, the satellite township that adjoins
Kimberley, was originally built under the apartheid
laws to house the area's African population and
is still largely populated by African people.
The township's existence dates from 1871 and for
many years it was known as Number Two Location,
until 1952 when it was named after Chief Galeshewe
of the Batlhaping tribe. He was an important figure
to the local African population and spent many
years in jail after he rebelled against the Cape
Colony Government several times to protect his
people.
ADVENTURE AND SPORT
Fly-fishing: Those in the know say that it is
one of the most exciting angling challenges one
can attempt – catching the spirited yellow
fish along the 200 km stretch of Vaal River that
flows through the province. After you have triumphed
over your tough, cold-blooded adversary, take
time to lie on the banks of the river and appreciate
the lovely scenery.
Cricket and rugby: The people of Kimberley are
enthusiastic about their sport and there are several
rugby and cricket fields and sport clubs. Visitors
are often granted temporary membership. Kimberley
is the home ground of the Griqua Gemsbok Rugby
Team and the Griqua Diamonds Cricket Club.
Golf: The Kimberley Golf Club has been in existence
since 1890. Every October, this club is a hive
of activity as players come from all over to join
in the 9 night, 8 day Festival of Golf known as
the Barney Barnato.
Hunting: Many private farms in the Kimberley area
cater for hunters. For more information Contact
the Diamond Fields Tourism Office or the Northern
Cape Hunters' Association.
Riverton Pleasure Resort: A comfortable 27 km
from Kimberley, on the banks of the Vaal River,
lies the Riverton Pleasure Resort, where people
can relax, enjoy the quiet and take part in water
sports such as boating and fishing. Facilities
include fully-equipped self-catering accom- modation,
a caravan park, a walk-in bird park, a powerboat
jetty, a putt-putt course, swimming pools and
a river ferry.
ARCHAEOLOGY AND PALAEONTOLOGY
Driekopseiland: Only a few kilometres outside
Kimberley, near Plooysburg, lies Driekopseiland
(Three Head/Hillock Island) where nomadic San
tribes made more than 3 000 rock engravings on
the glacial pavements of the bed of the Riet (Reed)
River. These engravings are believed to be between
800 and 2 500 years old. Visitors are warned that,
because they lie on the riverbed, these engravings
are often under water, especially after heavy
rains. San drawings most often depict San religious
beliefs and experiences of the spirit world while
under the influence of religious trances. The
Driekopseiland engravings are mainly abstract
forms, but also include several animals that roamed
the area at the time, humans, trees and geometric
symbols. Similar symbols have also been found
in India and China.
Nooitgedacht Glacial Pavements: The sign pointing
to the Nooitgedacht Glacial Pavements site is
situated on the Barkly West road, 24 km from Kimberley.
Travel a further 8 km along a gravel road to the
site, which is marked by the ruins of an old house.
The area has been marked off and signs request
visitors not to damage any rocks. The formation
of this geographic and archaeological feature
started some 250 million years ago during an Ice
Age when enormous glaciers slowly ground over
the 2 500 million year old Ventersdorp lava. As
they moved, gravel and rocks in the glacier damaged
the surface, forming an uneven backdrop which
the San later used as canvas for their rock engravings.
Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Tourism Centre: This
development, sixteen kilometres from Kimberley,
on the road to Barkly West, is a triumph for community
tourism in the province and in South Africa. This
rock art site is situated on a farm belonging
to the !Xun and Khwe people and, in addition to
giving visitors access to this important archaeological
discovery, it also affords the !Xun & Khwe
people an opportunity to be actively involved
in preserving and benefiting from their ancestral
legacy. The modern visitors' centre features an
arts & craft shop, a tea room, an exhibition
of San history and a modern auditorium, where
visitors can watch a movie on San culture and
history. There are also facilities for an audio-guided
walk of the rock art site. The art and crafts
sold in the shop are made by the local !Xun and
Khwe artists and are fitting souvenirs of your
Northern Cape trip.
ART AND CRAFTS
William Humphreys Art Gallery: Kimberley is not
to be outdone when it comes to arts and culture.
The only Grade 1 art gallery in South Africa is
situated in the heart of the city, in the civic
centre in Jan Smuts Boulevard. Although the gallery
focuses on South African art, it also features
the works of Dutch and Flemish Masters of the
16 th and 17 th century, as well as the art of
British and other European Masters. The gallery
often hosts temporary exhibitions by major South
African and international artists and is one of
the few art museums that display San rock art.
CULTURE / COMMUNITY TOURISM
Galeshewe: As this satellite township is not as
large as many other townships that adjoin cities,
it offers the ideal opportunity to study South
African township life. Community development projects
have changed the face of the township somewhat
and new government buildings are being built on
the outskirts of the township – “Bringing
government to the people”. Confront the
realities of separate development that millions
still have to live with, but also take note of
the similarities between people everywhere. Township
tours, conducted by experienced guides, are the
best way to make sure that you visit all the historical
and cultural sites. The sites include the erstwhile
Malay Camp, the Sol Plaatje House, the home of
Robert Sobukwe and the graveyard. In the evening,
the guide will take you to a shebeen, where you
can have a drink with the local people. A stay
in the guesthouse and conference centre in Galeshewe
is also to be recommended.
ENTERTAINMENT
Flamingo Casino: The Flamingo Casino is a Southern
Sun development and was named after the graceful
pink, long-legged birds that frequent the area.
It is on the outskirts of Kimberley, on the main
road to Johannesburg and large signs mark the
entrance to the casino. The casino offers a range
of entertainment activities, a conference centre
and a road lodge.
FAUNA AND FLORA
Kamfers Dam: The Kamfers Dam wetland on the outskirts
of Kimberley on the main road to Johannesburg
has Natural Heritage status. The dam, with its
extensive reedbeds, is fed by treated sewerage
waters and is home to a large variety of resident,
migratory and nomadic birds.
Some 186 species of birds live in or visit the
wetlands, representing 62 avian families. However,
the dam area is best known for the flocks of Lesser
and Greater Flamingos that can be seen from far
away as a large pinkish patch on the water. Only
when you are close by will you recognise the pink
cloud as thousands of large white birds with their
long pink legs, pink beaks, pink patches on their
feathers and gracefully bowed necks.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
Africana Library: The Africana Library in Du Toitspan
Road is one of the best research libraries in
the country. One of its most precious documents
is Robert Moffat's personal copy of his SeTswana
translation of the Bible.
The building, with its original wooden floors,
shelves and floors and iron spiral staircase,
is a fitting treasure house for its valuable contents
and, if the stories about it can be believed,
jealous ghosts still try to guard the secrets
contained in the documents.
Battlefields route: The N12 Diamond Fields Battlefields
Route starts at Hopetown, 120 km south of Kimberley,
and signs along the route indicate all the sites.
Many experienced guides conduct tours of these
sites. The Anglo-Boer War (1899 – 1902)
was the greatest war ever fought on South African
soil, a three-year war that left scars over the
entire country, as bitter battles were fought
between the Boer and British forces. Sites include
the historic battlefields at Orange River Station,
Belmont, Graspan, Modder River, Magersfontein,
Langberg, Koedoesberg Drift and Carter's Hill.
Magersfontein is home to the best Anglo-Boer War
museum in the country. A brochure is available
from the provincial or local tourism office.
Belgravia walk: A pleasant 2 km circular walk
through the suburb of Belgravia, where some of
the buildings date back to 1873, also affords
an opportunity to visit other historical sites.
Tourists can complete a self-guided walk that
starts at the McGregor Museum in Chapel Street.
The museum has a brochure with a map that indicates
more than 30 sites.
Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum: You will not
have seen Kimberley until you have paid a visit
to the Big Hole and the Kimberley Mine Museum
in Tucker Street, South Africa's largest full-scale
open-air museum. The museum town stands on the
site of the original Kimberley Mine, which closed
down in 1914 after it had yielded 2 722 kg of
diamonds. The Big Hole was once a hillock, Colesberg
Hill, but after 22, 5 million tons of earth had
been removed, it became the world's largest man-made
crater. Standing at the edge of the water-filled
hole, one cannot help but admire the tenacity
of man, digging 215 metres into the earth without
the help of a single piece of machinery. The buildings
are typical of the building style of the time
and include a church, diggers' tavern, Barney
Barnato's Boxing Academy and several shops and
houses, as well as the De Beers Directors' private
railway coach. In fact, many of these buildings
are the “real thing” and have merely
been moved from their original locations. Tired
visitors are brought back to the present by the
wonderful taste of fresh scones and tea served
in the tearoom.
Cathedral Church of St. Cyprian: This beautiful
old church in Du Toitspan Road has the longest
nave in the country.
The Cenotaph and Cape Corps Memorial: William
Timlin designed the Cenotaph in honour of the
400 Kimberley men who died during the First World
War. The names of the men who died during the
Second World War were added later. The Cape Corps
Memorial has recently been moved next to the Cenotaph
and celebrates the men who were members of this
famous corps. A German field gun forms the centrepiece
of the memorial in DuToitspan Road.
City Hall: This elegant cream and white building
in Roman Corinthian style is situated on the corners
of Old Main Street and Transvaal Road in the city
centre. It dates from 1899, just before the Anglo-Boer
War, and is a combination of elegance and superior
workmanship, designed by architect, Fergus Carstairs
Rogers.
Clyde N. Terry Hall of Militaria: This museum
is the culmination of a lifelong passion of a
World War II veteran, Clyde Terry. His collection
of all things military is housed in a building
next to the Kimberley MOTH Centre. Clyde Terry
junior constructed the building to house his father's
display of international military badges, uniforms,
medals and other relics.
De Beers Head Office: This office building in
the centre of Kimberley in Stockdale Street, was
once the head office of Barney Barnato's Kimberley
Central Diamond Mining Company. Barnato was one
of the few diamond rush millionaires. Today, the
building is still integrally linked to the diamond
trade and is the seat of the De Beers Consolidated
Mines Ltd Company.
Duggan-Cronin Gallery: Museums not only serve
to preserve old things, but also tell the story
of the people who made history. The Duggan Cronin
Gallery in Egerton Road houses some 8 000 photographs,
which Alfred Duggan-Cronin took between 1919 and
1939 while touring through Southern Africa. His
photographs depict the people and lifestyles of
the time and immortalises customs and scenes that
would otherwise have been lost to us forever.
The works of other photographers are also shown.
Dunluce: This architectural jewel, an elegant
Victorian house at 10 Lodge Road, was built in
1897 and was declared a national monument in 1990.
It is a typical example of Kimberley architecture.
Appointments to visit it should be made at the
McGregor Museum.
Dutch Reformed Church: The church dates back to
1871 but the present building in Long Street was
built in 1885. In front of the building, the Concentration
Camp Memorial honours the memory of those who
died in the Newton Concentration Camp during the
Anglo-Boer War.
Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Gardens and Diggers
Fountain: The gardens, in Jan Smuts Boulevard,
are named after Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, mining
magnate and former mayor of Kimberley. The Diggers
Fountain, surrounded by a rose garden, is a fountain
and a statue of five miners holding up a sieve
and was designed by Herman Wald. The five diggers
represent the five diamond mines of Kimberley
and the statue honours the contribution that all
diamond diggers made to the development of Kimberley.
Freddy Tate Golf Museum: The museum at the Kimberley
Golf Club was the first golfing museum in Africa.
The display includes the putter that belonged
to the 1896 and 1898 British amateur golf champion,
Freddy Tait. He was killed at Koodoosberg during
the Anglo-Boer War.
Ghost Trail: Join the ghost trail and let a guide
lead you in the footsteps of spirits who met sad
and untimely deaths in the city that was built
on the dreams of men. Visit buildings, such as
the Africana Library and Rudd House, where too
many people have witnessed unexplainable events
for them to be mere coincidences, and experience
the thrill of anticipation as you wait for its
ghostly inhabitants to appear.
Great Kimberley North Walk: The 4 km route takes
the visitor to some 40 historical sites to the
north of the city centre and starts at the Savoy
Hotel.
Halfway House: This historic watering hole in
Du Toitspan Road is another relic of the diamond
digging era and used to be the Halfway Hotel.
It is a fair assumption that it is one of the
very few places in the country where you can enjoy
a beer without getting out of your car, in a modernised
version of Cecil Rhodes's habit to sit astride
his horse and enjoy his drink.
Honoured Dead Memorial: Near the junction where
five roads meet, at the highest point in Kimberley,
stands this memorial in honour of the soldiers
who defended the city during the Anglo- Boer War.
Built at the insistence of Cecil John Rhodes,
the Honoured Dead Memorial is situated on the
corner of Dalham and Oliver Roads. It was designed
by Sir Herbert Baker and contains the bodies of
27 soldiers who died during the Siege of Kimberley.
“Long Cecil”, the cannon at the base
of the memorial, was built to defend the British
against Boer artillery fire. The inscription on
the memorial was written by Rudyard Kipling.
Jewish synagogue: The synagogue in Memorial Road
was finished in 1902 and was built in Byzantine
style.
Kimberley Club: This epitome of elegance was established
in 1881. Some of its more important members were
Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato, Sir Ernest
Oppenheimer and his son, Harry Oppenheimer.
Magersfontein: This important Anglo-Boer War site
lies 31,5 kilometres south of Kimberley on the
airport road. The site of one of the most decisive
battles of the war, 12 000 British were defeated
by the troops of the Boer General, Piet Cronje,
and his 8 200 men. The original gun positions
and trenches are still intact and the museum displays
uniforms, weaponry, documentation and photographs
that tell the full story from both the Boer and
the British side. Close to the site is the Burgher
Monument, erected at the gravesite of Boers killed
in the Anglo-Boer War.
Market Square: The city of Kimberley originally
developed around the square, which used to be
the main trading area that served the diggers.
It is right next to the elegant City Hall.
McGregor Museum: This magnificent building, surrounded
by large, cool gardens evokes nostalgic visions
of carriages arriving in the driveway and women
in voluminous ball gowns posing at the top of
the balustrade for the benefit of their admiring
escorts. The museum exhibits include an astounding
geological selection of local and international
rock varieties, fossils and minerals, the Hall
of Religions, a display on the history of the
region and an extensive display on the development
of humankind, the Ancestors Exhibition.
The museum is one of the best in the country and
many of its researchers are well-known specialists
in their fields. In 1897, Cecil John Rhodes had
it built as a hotel and health resort for the
wealthy Kimberley crowd. Rhodes stayed here for
the duration of the Kimberley Siege and the museum
still preserves the suite that he occupied. After
serving several other purposes, the building became
the headquarters of the McGregor Museum in 1971.
The main museum is in Atlas Street, but several
other historical sites in Kimberley are also under
its administration.
Pioneers of Aviation Museum: The museum is in
General Van der Spuy Drive, the site of South
Africa's first Flying School. The first flying
school in South Africa was started in 1912 and
many members of the South African Air Force were
trained in the Compton-Paterson biplane, a life-size
replica of which is on display in the museum.
Rhodes statue: The proud figure of Cecil John
Rhodes, with a map in his lap, sits immortalised
on his horse in Du Toitspan Road. Rhodes is one
of the success stories of the diamond fields and
after having made his fortune, he went on to play
an important role in the business and politics
of the country. An staunch imperialist, he was
one of the main supporters of the attempt to unify
South Africa under the British flag that ultimately
resulted in the Anglo-Boer War.
Robert Sobukwe House: This house, in Naledi Street
in Galeshewe, was once the residence of Robert
Sobukwe, an important figure in South African
history and a main roleplayer in the process known
as the rise of African political consciousness.
Sobukwe became famous after breaking away from
the ANC in 1958 because he did not regard the
ANC policies as militant enough. He subsequently
formed the PAC and under his leadership, it staged
massive protests against the National Party government.
Sobukwe was incarcerated on Robben Island for
nine years after the Sharpeville Massacre. After
he was released, and whilst living under house
arrest in the township of Galeshewe, he practised
law in Kimberley until his death in 1978.
Rudd House: This house at 5-7 Loch Road, was built
for H.P. Rudd, one of the mining magnates and
a partner of Cecil John Rhodes, and has been fully
restored to its original grandeur. The original
building was a small square construction, to which
the Rudd family kept adding until they had created
this rambling home. Appointments for viewings
should be made through the McGregor Museum.
School of Mines: This building in Hull Street
was home to South Africa's first School of Mines.
The school was later moved to the Witwatersrand
and later became the core of the University of
the Witwatersrand.
Seventh Day Adventist Church: The corrugated iron
building on the corner of Blacking Street and
Dyer Place was built in 1890. Seventh Day Adventists
in South Africa and Australia regard it as their
mother church.
Sister Henrietta Stockdale Statue: The statue
of one of the most important historical figures
of Kimberley is situated at St. Cyprian's cathedral
in Du Toitspan Road. Sister Henrietta was a member
of the Anglican Nursing Order of St Michael and
All Angels and her efforts were responsible for
the first state registration of nurses in the
world.
Sol Plaatje Museum: Plaatje was a renowned author
and journalist and played an integral role in
the history of South Africa and was part of the
rise of African political consciousness. His house,
at 20 Angel Street, is a national monument and
an institute for the study of African languages.
Plaatje was a founder member of the African National
Congress (ANC) and the first Secretary General
of the organisation. He was the first black South
African to write a novel in English (called Mhudi),
made a significant contribution to South African
journalism by recording events of the Anglo-Boer
War and translated many Shakespearean works into
Setswana. He died in 1932 and lies buried in the
West End Cemetery.
Transport Museum: The museum on the Kimberley
Train Station tells the story of railway developments
in the area and has the cabin of a real steam
locomotive on display.
Star of the West pub: After a hot and sweaty
day, come and enjoy a well-deserved brew, just
like the miners of old, at the Star of the West
pub in North Circular Road. The “Star”
is South Africa's oldest continuously operating
bar and dates back to the 1870's. The bar counter
and the shelves behind the bar are from the
original building, but the drinks and refreshments
cater to the tastes of the modern visitor.
Vintage Tram: Enjoy a historic journey in a
historic vehicle that dates from 1887. Car No
3 was reintroduced to active service in 1985
to ferry tourists across town past historic
buildings. The tram has a few regularly scheduled
trips during the day and the journey commences
at the Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum. It
is the only active tram service in South Africa.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Mine tours: The Bultfontein Mine was excavated
during the diamond rush and it is still in operation
today. Surface tours of the mine are offered twice
daily and it is the only diamond mine in the world
that allows underground tours. The tours include
a screening of a video about the history of Kimberley.
SHOPPING
Flea markets: Kimberley houses a variety of flea
markets at different venues. The Dunluce Arts
and Crafts flea market is open to shoppers four
times a year. Shoppers who do not like to buy
en masse but prefer to buy something individual
and unique will be sure to find it at the Dunluce
Art Market. A flea market is held on the last
Sunday of every month, opposite the Oppenheimer
Gardens in Jan Smuts Boulevard.
Jewellery shops: Visit one of Kimberley's jewellery
stores where designer jewellery with diamond
and semi-precious stones found in the area are
on sale. The jewellery is often individually
crafted, a unique memento of your trip to South
Africa.
Shopping centres: The city of Kimberley has
ultra modern shopping centres to cater for the
seasoned shopper.
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