CECIL JOHN RHODES (1853 – 1902)

Cecil John Rhodes was born on 5th July 1853. He remained a bachelor his entire life. He first came to South Africa in 1870, arriving in the port of Durban in September 1870. His older brother Herbert, purchased two hundred acres of land in the Umkomaas Valley south west of Durban. He left for England, and Cecil John Rhodes had to manage their claim, which Herbert eventually sold to him.

Rhodes returned to England to pursue his university studies. He became ill and his heart and lungs were affected, and his doctor advised him to return to Africa. Rhodes still continued to travel to England to complete his university terms at Oxford’s Oriel College. He placed great value on education and this is evidenced in the continuing Rhodes Scholarships today.

He arrived in Kimberley during the time of the diamond rush. When many claim holders eventually became bankrupt, Rhodes and Charles Rudd bought these claims. Some claimants sold because the diggings were full of water, proving to be an obstacle in the mining process. Rhodes however, partnered up with a civil engineer named Alderson, and they were contracted to pump the water out of the flooded mines.

Rhodes had a competitor in the race for monopoly of the diamond mines. He was Barnett Isaacs, but called himself Barney Barnato. Rhodes however found himself a financial ally in the form of Alfred Beit, who had trained in Amsterdam in the diamond industry. In 1880, Rhodes registered the De Beers Mining Company. Barnato’s Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Company remained his major competitor. In 1888, he negotiated with Barnato to consent to the change in the De Beers Trust Deed, which enables the Company to mine all other precious stones, coal, ores, metals and minerals besides diamonds. This change resulted in De Beers becoming the dominant player in the international diamond trade.

Rhodes had political aspirations and became Premier of what was then known as the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope.

His political activity extended beyond South Africa, and most significantly to Rhodesia, today known as Zimbabwe.

He had plans to expand the British influence further north, and sent Dr Jameson as his representative to meet with the Matabele chief Lobengula, prior to white settlement in their territory. Sometime during Jameson’s stay, it was reported that the Matabele had fired on one of their police patrols. This incident resulted in mobilization of forces and eventually, Bulawayo being burnt on orders of the chief Lobengula.

Two years later, Jameson was involved in another controversial incident, when he led troops across the border, but eventually surrendered and was sent to jail in Pretoria.

At this point, the Matabele and the Mashona people saw the chance to drive out the foreigners. Rhodes realized that he would need more troops, but could not afford the cost of the troops. So he decided to meet with his opponents and negotiated a settlement to the rebellion. This led to him being accepted and trusted. Among the hills of the Matopos, peace was reached. This is also his burial place.

Cecil John Rhodes died of ill-health in 1902 at his Muizenberg sea-side cottage.

Please visit: