Diamond Fields Region

DIAMOND FIELDS REGION

Regions

The frenetic activity, the extraordinary web of pulley cables leading to a six-storey staging platform and the sight of up to 30 000 miners working 3 600 claims over 17ha have faded into the sepia memories of photographic archives. Yet, somehow, memories of the Kimberley tent-town’s days linger.

Many old buildings, museums and one of South Africa’s most important art galleries lend a historic ambience to the city that thrust its way to prominence during the diamond rush. A reconstruction of the original “rush town” stands alongside the incredible Big Hole, the largest hand-dug excavation in the world, offering visitors insight into the lives of those who lived and worked through the dreams and nightmares of a vibrant history we take for granted.

During the Anglo-Boer War, Kimberley was besieged by the Boers for four months. In this time, many heroes rose to prominence. Boer forces surrounding Kimberley showed how a determined, small and under-resourced force could keep the British army at bay for months.

But Kimberley’s diamond story and siege are part of only the most recent history here. A rich archaeological heritage, including stunning examples of ancient rock engravings, reflects a past that reaches back to the very origin of humankind.

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DIAMOND FIELDS REGION

Kimberly is the capital city of the Northern Cape is often referred to as the
City of Diamonds. The memories of Kimberley’s days as a tent town still
linger today. Many old buildings, museums and one of South Africa’s most
important art galleries pay homage to the days of the diamond rush.

Town information

Diamond Fields Region
Northern Cape Tourism Authority +27(0)53 492 0311
France Baard District Tourism: +27 (0)53 838 0923.
Sol Plaatje Tourism: +27 (0)53 830 6779
Karoo Oasis Route: +27 (0)82 567 9211.
Email: [email protected]

TO SEE AND DO

Africana Library
Containing missionary Robert Moffat’s personal copy of his SeTswana translation of the Bible, the library is a rich repository of books, manuscripts and photographs portraying life in the Northern Cape. Tel: +27 (0)53 830 6247.
Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum
The original Museum was built in 1907 in memory of Alexander McGregor, a former mayor. Today, as a satellite of the McGregor Museum, it houses new displays on Kimberley’s suburban and township development. Tel: +27 (0)53 839 2700.
Belgravia Historical Walk
Taste the Kimberley’s romantic and glamorous past by taking a walk through Belgravia. Contact: +27 (0)82 963 6657.
Bultfontein Mine
Book the world’s only underground tour of a working diamond mine. Visits must be pre-booked. Tel: +27 (0)53 842 1321.
Dronfield Nature Reserve
Is well stocked with herds of eland, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, zebra, giraffe, kudu, sable antelope and a wide range of resident bird life and overnight accommodation. Contact +27(0)53 839 4455.
Duggan-Cronin Gallery
This Irish man, with his assistant Richard Madela by his side, travelled the length and breadth of the country photographing the lives of indigenous people. Contact: +27 (0)53 839 2743.
Honoured Dead Memorial
Designed by Sir Herbert Baker and built at CJ Rhodes’ behest to honour those who died defending Kimberley during The Siege. ‘Long Cecil’, is mounted on the stylobate surrounded by shells from the Boer ‘Long Tom’.
Ghost Trail Tour
The shivering facts and fallacies about ghostly visitations are packed in a fun and entertaining guided ghost trail. Contact: +27 (0)82 572 0065.
Galeshewe Guided Township Tour
learn more about the oldest township in the country, visit local artists and enjoy a taste of the local cuisine. Native Minds Tours. Contact: +27 (0)78 069 5104.
Kimberley Club
A national monument since 1984, the Kimberley Club was established in August 1881 with past members such as CJ Rhodes, Leander Starr Jameson, Charles Dunnell Rudd, Barney Barnato, Sir Ernest and Harry Oppenheimer. Tel: +27(0)53 832 4224.
McGregor Museum
A national monument, built in 1896 at Rhodes instigation as a hotel and health resort. The museum displays natural history, the siege of Kimberley, a Hall of Religions and the acclaimed Ancestors Gallery depicting three million years of human history in the Northern Cape. 5 Atlas Street Tel: +27 (0)53 839 2700.
Sol Plaatje
Solomon Thekiso Plaatje famous for his literary efforts as an author and newspaper man, was also the first Secretary-General of the ANC. Angel Street. Tel: +27 (0)53 833 2526 (Please phone for opening hours).
Robert Sobukwe’s House
Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, founder and first president of the Pan Africanist Congress, spent his last years practising law in Kimberley under a banning order. Contact: +27 (0)78 069 5104.
The Big Hole & Kimberley Mine Museum
the largest hand-dug excavation in the world. The spectacular site and the mining museum and town bring the magnificent era of Diamond Discovery in Kimberley back to life. Contact +27(0)53 830 4417.
William Humphrey Art Gallery
Opened in 1952 it houses modern African art and some old masters. Contact: +27(0)53 831 1724.
Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre
Situated on a farm belonging to the! Xun & Khwe, who collaborated in making this pristine Khoisan heritage site open to the public. Contact +27(0)82 222 4777.
Take the Tram
This vintage tram – introduced in 1887 – was refurbished to enhance the tourist experience of historical Kimberley, Book a ride at the Big Hole. Contact: +27 (0)53 830 6272.

SURROUNDING TOWNS

BARKLY WEST

The discovery of diamonds at Klipdrift on the Vaal River in 1869 drew thousands of prospectors.to the town which was renamed Barkly West in 1873 Renowned writer Sarah Gertrude Millin grew up in the district.

TO SEE AND DO

Alluvial Diamond Diggings
Licensed prospectors still sift the sand and gravel of the Vaal River for ever elusive diamonds. Guided tours only.
Barkly Bridge and Barkly West Museum
Brought up-country by rail and ox wagon, this steel girdered bridge was the first to ford the Vaal River in 1885. The tollhouse was restored in 2000 as a museum with displays on local geology, archaeology and history.
Canteen Kopje
Alluvial diamond diggings from 1870 revealed many archaeological sites. An open-air display explains the significance of early hand-axe industries (over a million years old).
Course of the Vaal River
Characterised by breakwaters where diggers still labour, the river has many pools, rapids, waterfalls and features with odd names, eg Gong Gong, Beaumont’s Folly and Bosman’s Fortune.
Nooitgedacht Glacial Pavings
1 500-year-old rock engravings.
St Mary’s Anglican Church
St Mary’s Anglican Church, built in 1871, was the first church on the diamond fields.

Campbell

was renamed in honour of Reverend John Campbell who visited the Cape Colony in 1813. It has a multifaceted history and has been home to San, Koranna and, later, Griqua settlers drawn by the springs’ Contact Campbell Tourism +27 (0)53 832 2657.

TO SEE AND DO

Aloe Nature Reserve
A kloof on the edge of the Ghaap Plateau, now the Aloe Nature Reserve, is mentioned in accounts by early travellers including Burchell and Andrew Smith.
Anglo-Boer War
Visit Fabersput Battlefield, the monument to Kasie Briedenham and grave of Oupa Swartbooi (British spy).
Bartlett’s Church
Completed in 1831 and proclaimed a national monument in 1960, it is one of the oldest churches north of the Orange River.
Griqua Rebellion
Place of the battle between the Settlers and the Griquas in 1878.
Holy Ark Wood
An amazing collection of trees and succulents.

Hartswater

is one of two main towns in the Vaalharts Valley; an oasis on the edge of the arid Northern Cape border with North West.

TO SEE AND DO

Burial Sites
The burial site of Tswana Chief Galeshewe on the outskirts of the town.
Hartswater Wine Cellar
Enjoy wine tasting and buy local wines, bottled under the Overvaal and Elements labels.
Poplar Lane
The 38 km stretch of road is lined with poplar trees and is regarded as the longest of its kind in the world, and is a popular space for photographs, particularly wedding photographs.
Taung Skull
Home to the Buxton quarry where Raymond Dart discovered the million-year-old skull of the Taung child and declared a heritage site in 1924.
Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme
The scheme is thought to be one of thelargest irrigation schemes in the world, covering 37 000 hectares and watering well over 1000 farms.
Women’s Memorial
his tiny brick church has beautiful stained-glass windows and a powerful sculpted relief fitted on the wall celebrating women’s role in society.

Jan Kempdorp

was proclaimed in 1953 and named after General Jan Kemp, a former Minister of Lands. During the Second World War it was the site of a concentration camp housing German men regarded as potentially dangerous by the authorities.

TO SEE AND DO

Benfontein Nature Reserve
is not only the best place in the country to for great sightings of Africa’s littlest cat, the African Backfooted Cat, it is also the world’s leading research facility on the aardwolf (earth wolf) or maanhaar jackal – which belongs to the same family as the hyena. Great birding destination as well with sightings of African fish eagle, sociable weavers, larks, pipits and the African white-backed vulture. Contact: +27 (0)53 839 4455.

Warrenton

was found in 1880 and named after Sir Charles Warren, diamonds were discovered here in 1888 and mining still continues.

TO SEE AND DO

When in town visit the Old Sluice and waterwheel, look out for the character-rich, historical buildings in town, the beautiful old steam locomotive outside the FNB, and unusual succulents – like the Albinica (Lithops lesliei).
Vaal-Harts Dam
is a popular fishing and boating spot for people who come to braai and picnic along its banks. Fishermen advocate that red floats with plain dough hook baits work best if you want to catch carp.

KAROO OASIS ROUTE

The route traverse through the towns of Warrenton, Kimberley, Hopetown, Britstown, Victoria West along the N12, and It is the perfect stopover for
travellers between Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Stop along the route to trace the rich mining history of the Diamond Fields region. The capital city of Kimberley became home to the Diamond Rush
about 150 years ago when an 83-carat diamond was discovered on
Colesburg Kopje. Your visit to Kimberley should include a visit to The Big Hole – the largest hand-dug excavation in the world and take a ride on the vintage tram – the only tram still running in the country. Follow along the
historical mile and visit some of the oldest state homes, famed museums
and galleries.

The route offers a myriad national game and nature reserves where visitors can enjoy fly-fishing kayaking, mountain biking, trail running, game drives and world class birding A good stop over along the route is Mokala National
Park, Britstown for breakfast stop and Victoria West which was named after Queen Victoria of England, a great stop over for lunch or overnight.

Should your route take you to the Eastern Cape you will pass through the small town of Hanover and encounter South Africa’s largest privately owned Karoo nature reserve. Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve
Contact: +27 (0)82 567 9211.

EXPLORE THE ANGLO BOER WAR ROUTE

The Battlefields Route allows visitors to relive the war between Great Britain
and the Boer Republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State from 1899 to 1902. The Northern Cape played a decisive role in the war with the famous
Kimberley siege and many of the major battles of the Western Campaign taking place within 120 kilometres of Kimberley.

The details of the siege, including the victories and setbacks suffered by can be relived at the Magersfontein and McGregor Museums. Included among these are the Battles from Orange River Station, including Modder River, Magersfontein, Belmont, Graspan. The town Modder River lies 39km south of Kimberley near the confluence of the Riet and Modder rivers. The
town has three monuments commemorating the Anglo-Boer War Battle of Modder River in the vicinity.

By visiting the many battlefields and talking to the local inhabitants, a visitor
is able to picture that distant war and bring it to life, recapturing the trials and
tribulations of all who were concerned with the war.

CITIES AND TOWNS

WARRENTON

In 1880 a syndicate bought the western portion of the farm Grasbult on...

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