TODAY IN KIMBERLEY’S HISTORY
26 December 1873, First half century scored in cricket by W Ling and C Pretorius.
26 December 1896, Battle of Phokwane, and three prisoners killed by Galeshewe’s men.
DID YOU KNOW
In 1896 and 1897 there would be another popular uprising that began what is now the Hartswater/Jan Kempdorp area, known as the Phokwane Uprising (Rebellion) – this time against excessive force used by police destroying black-owned cattle because of the rinderpest scourge. Tremendous misunderstanding and of course, some major politicking by certain politicians who were looking upon the Vaal/Harts valleys for white settlement, saw Kgosi Galeshewe and Luka Jantjies lead their men into action.
There were several small actions between Phokwane and the Langeberg near Kuruman, before the Batswana people were besieged and starved out in the Langeberg itself. Jantjies was killed, and eventually Galeshewe was captured. Galeshewe received a 10 years jail sentence, but he was released in 1903 and shortly thereafter lived in Greenpoint for a time before settling with his followers in the Magogong region under Kgosi Molale. (Indeed, at Modutung, now known as Galeshewestad).
Three traders and a KhoiSan servant held prisoner were killed by Galeshewe’s men as the Kimberley-based colonial soldiers advanced on Galeshewe’s forces in the hills at Phokwane on Boxing Day 1896. The ruins of the trading store and the graves can still be seen (pictured).
From Kimberley Calls and Recalls on Facebook By Steve Lunderstedt
Shortlink for this post: https://www.kimberley.org.za/?p=7099