The doorway to the city of Kimberly presents a sleepy picture. At first sight there is no indication of a place steeped in history and the path it set for South Africa’s economic progression. The diamond capital of the world is suffering from the global meltdown. Thousands of miners have lost their jobs and many traders have gone to a retrench. Thanks to India and its love for the rhombus there is still some hope left for the locals here.

“All the mines have been closed and we are expecting a turnaround soon. India is one of our major markets constituting around 14-24 % of our market share. Demand from there has been the same. That is also the reason why some of our ambassadors are Indian actresses,” said a corporate communication official from De Beers. Cecil John Rhodes (1853-1902), a British born South African businessman is credited for forming the De Beers Diamond Company that was stared in 1880. The big hole reached a depth of 240 meters and yielded nearly 2.722 kgs of diamonds until its closure in 1914.

Coming back to the heritage of Kimberly, it is the capital of the Northern Cape Province, known more for the big hole. The legacy from the diamond rush that occurred in the area in 1871 is part of African folklore. The New Rush was formed around the area in 1871 where an 83.50 carat (16.7gms) diamond was found. Miners arrived in thousands and to start the diamond revolution. Mining after 1914 was started on the city outskirts.

The Kimberly mine head gear was erected in 1893 and was extended in 1898. During the siege (World War I) the mines were used to protect women and children from the bombardment of shells. A tour of the museum inside the Big Hole is an education. It offers an insight into the lives of those who worked and lived in that area. The tale of the diamond rush is also retold interestingly.

The city is all a city of many firsts. Kimberly was the first to have a stock exchange and flying school. The aerial trolley (a premature version of the air car) was introduced in 1905 to carry miners to deeper pockets. The city is rich for its museums. The McGregor museum provides touching details of the wild life of Africa and also edifies tourists on the social life of the Northern Cape. The most important art gallery in South Africa is also situated here with paintings of Victorian history.

The growth of cricket was in direct proportion to the growth of business. Businessmen from London helped popularise the game here and later De Beers donated their recreation facility to the local cricket association. That marked the birth of the De Beers Oval. Every square mile of Kimberly is steeped in heritage and what looks like a dreary city at first instance is indeed a place of measureless tradition joy and.