Kimberley the capital of South Africas Northern Cape Province

Kimberley is a town in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located at 28.742° S 24.772° E near the Vaal river, and is serviced by the nearby Kimberley Airport.

The History of Kimberley

In 1866, Erasmus Jacobs found a small white pebble on the banks of the Orange River, on the farm De Kalk leased from local Griquas, near Hopetown. The pebble turned out to be a 21.25 carat (4.25 g) diamond. In 1871, an even larger 83.50 carat (16.7 g) diamond was found on the slopes of Colesberg Kopje, and led to the first diamond rush into the area. As miners arrived in their thousands, the hill disappeared, and became known as the Big Hole. A town, New Rush, was formed in the area, and was renamed to Kimberley on 5 June 1873, after the British Secretary of State for the Colonies at the time, John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley. The British, who had control of much of South Africa, were prompt to annex the area of the diamond mine. The Boers were upset by this, because they wanted it to be a part of the Orange Free State as it lay between Orange and Vaal rivers.

Kimberley and Diamonds

The largest company to operate a diamond mine in South Africa was the De Beers Company, owned by Cecil Rhodes. Very quickly, Kimberley became the largest city in the area, mostly due to a massive African migration to the area from all over the continent. The immigrants were accepted with open arms, because the De Beers company was in search of cheap labour to run the mines with.

Five big holes were dug into the earth, which followed the kimberlite pipes. The largest, The Kimberley mine or "Big Hole" covering 170 000 m², reached a depth of 1 097 m and yielded 3 tons of diamonds. The mine was closed in 1914, while three of the holes – Du Toitspan, Wesselton and Bultfontein – closed down in 2005.

The development of Kimberley

On 2 September 1882, Kimberley became the first town in the southern hemisphere to install electric street lighting.

The rising importance of Kimberley led to one of the earliest South African and International Exhibitions to be staged in Kimberley in 1892. It was opened by Sir Henry Loch, the then Governor of the Cape of Good Hope on the 8th of September. It presented exhibits of art, an exhibition of paintings from the royal collection of Queen Victoria and mining machinery and implements amongst other items. The exhibition aroused considerable interest at international level, which resulted in a competition for display space

On 14 October 1899, Kimberley was besieged at the beginning of the Second Boer War. The British forces trying to relieve the siege suffered heavy losses. The siege was only lifted on 15 February 1900, but the war continued until May 1902. By that time, the British had built a concentration camp at Kimberley to house Boer women and children.

In 1913, South Africas first flying school opened in Kimberly and started training the pilots of the South African Aviation Corps, later the South African Air Force. Kimberley also housed South Africas first stock exchange.

Kimberley has proposed the new Kimberley Stadium to be built in May 2007 for the 2010 Football World Cup.

An Overview – Everyone’s War

Not just another thread in South Africa’s tapestry of conflict, the Anglo Boer War was to have a major impact on the nation’s history. Predicting a quick victory, both sides found the reality of war very different as the struggle engulfed the entire country. Pitted against the might of Imperial Britain, the Transvaal and Orange Free State launched a three pronged invasion into Natal and the Central and Northern Cape districts. Driving back the outlying garrisons they surrounded Mafeking, Kimberley and Ladysmith and quickly inflicted a series of humiliating defeats on the British relief columns. Known as ‘Black Week’, these defeats prompted a greater determination among the British high command to wage a total war to the finish. Drawing upon the Empire’s resources, vast numbers of British reinforcements arrived at the coastal ports, together with Canadian, Australian and New Zealand troops. Sympathy for the Boer cause brought the Republics foreign medical detachments and volunteers from Ireland, France, Holland, Germany, Russia, America, Italy and the Scandinavian countries to fight on the Boer side. Tacit agreement decreed that this would be a ‘White man’s war’, but the conflict soon sucked in all sectors of South African society. Some 100 000 Black and Coloured people served with the British army and at least some 10 000 with the Boer forces. Employed initially in a support and logistic capacity, thousands of armed Blacks ended up manning blackhouses, forming town guards and serving as scouts and intelligence agents. After the capture of their capital cities, the Boers pursued a hard hitting guerilla war against the lumbering British columns. To crush this on going resistance, the British forces pursued a ‘Scorched Earth’ policy. Burning homes and crops, they intended the rural population in concentration camps. Housed, sometimes in horrific conditions, at least 14 000 blacks and probably 27 000 Boer women and children died of disease. The Republics ruined and to avoid complete destruction, the Boers agreed to peace. Peace bought a lasting bitterness as a divided country rebuilt itself. British compensation mainly favoured White agriculture so the largely destitute Black population’s struggle was far from over.

The Forces

The British

In 1899 the British Empire penetrated all corners of the globe, but despite numerous colonial wars, Britain found herself militarily unprepared to fight the Boers. Deficient strategy, tactics and a subline overconfidence proved a recipe of disaster. Only after a series of humiliating defeats did the British high command realized that this war was to be a long and bitter struggle. Britain possessed a permanent professional fighting force, supported with reservists. At the outbreak of hostilities, Royal Navy men and guns served with the army. Volunteers from Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, Rhodesia, Natal and Cape Colony supported Britain, tipping the scales against the Boers. Despite overwhelming numbers it took the British nearly 3 years to finally defeat the Boers. During the war, disease and medical neglect killed more British troops than Boer bullets and shells. The lessons learnt by Britain during the Anglo Boer War resulted in a revision of British military doctrine. An overhaul of the armed forces aided in preparing Britain for the First World War. Despite overwhelming British numbers many Commandos fought on to the bitter end. British scorched earth policies and the internment of Boer women and children in concentration camps eventually forced them to surrender on 31 May 1902.

The Boers

Pitted against the British superpower, the Orange Free State and Transvaal Republics defended themselves for nearly three long years. Armed with modern artillery and small arms, the Boers proved formidable opponents. Their riflemen achieved a world class reputation as marksmen capable of picking off British troops over long distances. Acquitting themselves well in al the major battles, the Boer artillery corps and the Transvaal Police (ZARPS) earned the respect even of their opponents. Consisting of citizens called up for war service, the Boer Commandos were highly mobile and hard hitting fighting units. Throughout the war they outran and outmaneuvered the British troops. Striking fast, they pounced on the British columns, inflicting numerous defeats before melting back into the veld.

The Weapons

The Boers

The Jameson Raid of 1896 shocked the Boer Republics into realizing that they were insufficiently equipped for a war with Britain. Consequently they started arming themselves with a variety of weapons. The most famous was undoubtedly the German designed 7 mm Mauser rifle. Containing a clip loaded five shot magazine, the Mauser delivered a rapid rate of fire, proving lethal in the hands of Boer marksmen. Other rifles in use were the well proven but single shot Martini, the Guedes and Krag-Jorgensen, while .303 Lee Metfords / Emfields and a variety of hunting and sporting rifles also saw service. During the guerilla campaign extensive use was made of captured British rifles and ammunition. During the Western campaign, Boer artillery comprised 75 mm Krupp field buns and 37 mm Maxim automatic machine guns, nicknamed ‘pompoms’. The Krupps were capable of hurling shells over distances of 6 000 m, while the belt fed Maxims fired explosives round to a maximum range of 3000 m. During the battle of Modder River it struck terror into the advancing British troops. Due to scarcity of ammunition supply during the Guerilla Campaign, the Boers equipped themselves with captured British rifles and ammunition.

The British

Equipped with .303 Lee Metford or Lee Enfield rifles with a ten shot magazine, the British soldier relied on his bayonet when fighting at close range. Trained to close with his opponent and, often lacking field craft, the British infantry normally suffered high losses when advancing against Boer held positions. For the cavalry, their sword and lance were useless against Boers firing at long range. In close contact, however, these weapons were wielded with demoralizing effect. At times both mounted Infantry and Cavalry used carbine rifles and fought dismounted. The Royal Artillery were equipped with 12 pr (Horse Artillery) and 15 pr (Field Artillery) guns, supported by 5^th howitzers and alter also ‘pom-poms’. They played an essential role in all the major battles. Deficient, however, in range, their fire power was boosted by 4.7’’ and 12 pr 12 cwt naval guns, taken from various ships, mounted on make shift carriages, and rushed to the front. An artillery siege train of heavier caliber guns was later added. The Kimberley garrison and only 2,5’’ and 7 pr guns, contemptuously called ‘pop guns’ until the manufacture of ‘Long Cecil’.

The Personalities

General Paul Methuen

Joining the Scots Guards in 1864, Lord Methuen was a veteran of numerous African wars. Methuen returned to South Africa in 1899 and commanded the Kimberley Relief Column. Although winning victories at Belmont, Graspan and Modder River, Methuen was defeated on 11 December 1899 at Magerfontein. During the guerilla phase of the war Methuen commanded a mobile column, but on 7 March 1902 he was wounded and captured by general De la Rey’s forces at Tweebosch. He later established a friendship with De la Rey and in 1907 returned to South Africa as Commander in Chief. For a while Lord Methuen was Governor of Natal, then of Malta, and later Governor of the Tower of London, having earlier been promoted to Field Marshal.

Cecil John Rhodes

With delicate health and seeking adventure, Rhodes left Britain for South Africa in 1870. Arriving in Kimberley a year later, he won a contract to pump water from the mines and quickly prospered. Founding the De Beers Diamond Mining Company in 1880 Rhodes soon amalgamated the various diamond mines under the controlling umbrella of the De Beers Consolidated Mining Company. After investing in the Rand gold mines during 1887, Rhodes turned his attention northwards and founded the British South African Company. In search of minerals and backed by his own ‘private army’, Rhodes invaded Matabele and Mashonaland. Named Rhodesia in honour of Rhodes, these territories became the present day Zimbabwe. Rhodes became Prime Minister of the Cape Colony in 1890 and sought to expand his empire at the expense of the Boer Republics. An instigator of the Jameson Raid, Rhodes resigned from politics after this military debacle in 1896. In 1899 Boer forces surrounded Kimberley, trapping Rhodes inside the town. As protection against Boer shellfire, Rhodes offered the civilians shelter down the mines. Rhodes clashed with Lt Colonel Kekewich, the garrison commander and acrimony and friction between the two only ended with the lifting of the siege in February 1900. returning to Cape Town due to ill health, Rhodes died at his Muizenburg cottage.

Field Marshall Frederick Roberts

Only five foot tall, Lord Robert earned his nickname ‘Bobs’ and won the Victorian Cross early on in his military career. During the battle of Colenso in 1899, Roberts’ only son won a posthumous Victorian Cross. Appointed to command the South African Field Force in February 1900, Roberts invaded the Orange Free State. Capturing General Cronje on 27 February 1900 at Paardeberg, Roberts then seized Bloemfontein during March 1900. Invading the Transvaal, Roberts captured Pretoria and ended the conventional phase of the war. However he seriously underestimated the Boer determination and, believing the war virtually over, Roberts returned to England in 1900. in 1914 while visiting the British Expeditionary Force in France Roberts died after a short illness. A national hero, he was buried in St Paul’s Cathedral.

General John French

Starting his military career in the Royal Navy, French transferred to the army during 1874. Arriving in Natal in 1899, French defeated a Boer force at Elandslaagte before being sent to Colesberg. Here he outmanoeuvred another Boer force, before joining Lord Roberts’ army at Modder River. Ordered to breakthrough to Kimberley, he led his Cavalry Division in an epic charge. French assisted in capturing Cronje at Paardeberg and led the British Cavalry during the invasion of the Orange Free State and Transvaal Republics. During the guerilla phase of the war he commanded military operations in the Cape Colony.

General Jacobus (Koos) De la Rey

A member of the Transvaal Republic’s Volksrust, De la Rey was opposed to war with Britain. In 1899 his first Kraaipan and, on 25 November 1899, he fought at Graspan. Three days later at Modder River, the Boers under his direction, fought from excavated defences along the Riet and Modder river banks. During this action De la Rey received a shoulder wound and his son was mortally wounded. At Magersfontein De la Rey helped position the Boer defences that were later used with devasting effect on the attacking British retirement but was recalled to assist Cronje at Paardeberg. Known as the ‘Lion of the Western Transvaal’ De la Rey then pursued guerilla warfare against the British until the conclusion of hostilities. A Senator in the first Union Parliament, De la Rey was later killed during a shooting accident at a police roadblock in 1914.

General Pieter (Piet) Cronje

In the 1881 – 1882 Transvaal War Cronje besieged a British garrison at Potchefstroom before participating in the Mapoch War of 1882. A member of the Transvaal Volksraad’s Executive Council, Cronje later won fame defeating the Jameson Raiders in 1896. Cronje laid siege to Mafeking in 1899 before taking over command from De la Rey at Modder River. On 11 December 1899 Cronje defeated a British force at Magersfontein. Unable to prevent a later British breakthrough to Kimberley, Cronje was surrounded at Paardeberg where he surrendered on 27 February 1900. sent to St Helena as a prisoner of war, Cronje afterwards traveled to the USA where he appeared as a showman at the World Fair, re-enacting battle scenes. Criticized by his countrymen for his surrender, this earned him further contempt.

General Christiaan De Wet

In the 1881 – 1882 Transvaal War, De Wet fought against the British at the battles of Laings Nek, Ingogo and Majuba Hill. During the invasion of Natal in 1899 he was in action at Nicholson’s Nek and Ladysmith, before being transferred to the Western Front. Fighting at Koosoosberg, he later tried to rescue Cronje’s force at Paardeberg. On 29 March 1900 at Sannah’s Post, De Wet ambushed and defeated a stronger British column. Having proved the lethality of his guerilla tactics, De Wet ran circles around the lumbering British columns. The later British “De Wet Hunts” failed to catch him. Entering politics after the war he supported the 1914 rebellion for which he was jailed for a year.

Georges, Comte de Villebois – Mareuil

Prior to the Anglo Boer War, Villebois had served with the French Foreign Legion. Sympathizing with the Boer cause, he volunteered to assist them in their fight against Britain. As the Boers could not pronounce his name, Villebois become known as the ‘French Colonel’. Despite hatching a number of plans to capture Kimberley, his advice went unheeded. On 10 March 1900 Villebois fought at the Battle of Driefontein. After the British capture of Bloemfontein, he was put in charge of all foreign volunteers and promoted to the rank of General. On 5 April 1900 Villebois was killed in action near Boshof while fighting against British troops under Lord Methuen. Initially buried at Boshof with full military honours, his remains were later re-interred at the Magersfontein Burgher memorial.

THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY

Kimberley was besieged by Boer forces for four memorable months, from 14 October 1899 when the rail and telephone lines were cut, isolating the town, until General French’s exhausted cavalry clattered in on 15 February 1900.

It was exciting initially, with alarms and khaki uniformed troops, and civilian volunteers being hurriedly armed and organized; the mine dumps were topped with fortifications and martial law proclaimed. Even the bursting shells from the encircling Boer forces, after bringing initial chaos and one death, caused only minor damage and made excellent souvenirs.

A relief force was expected almost daily, with news of Methuen’s relief column, fighting it’s way up from the south. Running the gauntlet through the Boer lines, dispatch riders and Black runners brought news of Methuen’s early victories, buoying hopes of a rapid end to the siege. While the local actions bought casualties, but also Boer prisoners and captured loot, it failed to dampen civilian enthusiasm.

Then the mood changed abruptly. On 28 November, Kekewich sent out three columns, of which the mounted troops were to attack the Boer redoubts on Carter’s Ridge. Some positions were over run but the commanding officer; Lt Colonel Scott Turner of the Black Watch then over enthusiastically and against orders pushed on. The Boers were ready and brought the British attack to a standbill. Scott Turner and 23 of his men lay dead on the veld and 31 men were wounded during this short and bloody affair. Many of these casualties were local men and this shocked the townfolk into despair. Spirits plunged, and the tactics of the military promptly attributed to desire for glory. A fortnight later came news of the British disaster at Magersfontein and people discovered that the relief force’s arrival (now indefinitely delayed) would be followed by the evacuation of Kimberley’s civilian population, including women and children. ‘Banishment and bankruptch’ howled the local newspaper.

Price control and food rationing tightened, with different ration scales for each section of the population. The mines were not working, money was short, and relief work (mainly improving roads) were started by De Beers to provide some employment. The death rate rose, summer heat, dust, wind, flies and locusts increased the feelings of boredom and isolation. The only real excitement was the successful manufacture and fring of ‘Long Cecil’, described by a military historian as ‘one of the most remarkable events in the history of the beleaguered garrison’. Named after Cecil John Rhodes (diamond magnate, De Beers director and ex-Premier of the Cape Colony), the gun was designed by De Beers’ innovative Chief Engineer (an American, George Labram) using, among other sources, the Encyclopaedia Britannica. It, like it’s shells stamped ‘compliments CJ Rhodes’, was manufactured in the De Beers workshops. Retaliation, however, came swiftly and a new outburst of Boer shelling was followed by the arrival of a ‘Long Tom’ siege gun, whose huge shells crumpled the mudbrick and corrugated iron of houses, pubs, shops and even the local Stock Exchange. Terrified women and children were invited to take shelter down the mines, while ironic retribution sought out George Labram – killed by a ‘Long Tom’ shell in his hotel room whole dressing for dinner.

Civilian protests grew louder, stirred by Rhodes. Friction between civilian and military authorities was a feature of the Siege, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes) was to write that ‘ Col Kekewich was as much plagued by intrigue within as the Boers without’. Kimberley was virtually ‘Rhodes Town’, and most of the defences and defenders were supplied by the De Beers Company. Rhodes’ autocratic temperament and continent-spanning energies found restraint by the military intolerable. Perceiving the military as being a bunch of self serving incompetents Rhodes threatened to surrender the town. Stung by these comments, Kekewich looked to the relief column for salvation. Lord Roberts, now in command of this column, signaled Kekewich that he should arrest Rhodes, but the ever tactful Kekewich avoided such a drastic option. Taking Rhodes’ threat seriously, Roberts changed the British strategic plan. Instead of first advancing on Bloemfontein, he ordered the immediate relief of Kimberley. General French’s Cavalry Division broke through the eastern Boer defences and, arriving in Kimberley, French was received by Rhodes. Despite praising Rhodes in his dispatches Kekewich fell from favour, and later faded into obscurity.

The town had changed. No street lamps burnt, few cab horses had escaped the cooking pot, infant mortality amongst the non white population was over 60 %. The death rate had soared in four months to that of a normal year. Large areas of township has been flattened, while four hundred and eighty three blacks had died of scurvy, caused by an inadequate mealie meal diet. Nine civilians had been killed and some forty two officers and men. The price of Kimberley’s successful resistance had been paid by all her citizens.

The Kimberley defence force numbered approximately 5664, according to the medal roll, of whom about 600 were British regular troops (participally the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment), protecting a population estimated at between 48000 and 53000. The commanding Officer was Lt Col Robert George Kekewich, then aged 45, while the dominant civilian was Cecil John Rhodes, aged 46. The Boer besiegers consisted at the outset of about 4800 Free Staters, 2200 Transvalers and some 100 Griqua West ‘rebels’, under command of Chief Cmdt Cornelis Janse Wessels, later Chief Cmdt Ignatius S Ferreira. Many of these men subsequently joined Cronje’s force blocking the British relief column.

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