Solomon Edwardian Guest House

03/09/2026

R5 billion vision could transform Kimberley’s Big Hole

AN AMBITIOUS R5 billion vision could transform Kimberley’s Big Hole precinct into a world-class tourism destination featuring a skywalk, botanical gardens, accommodation, sports facilities and tram links – but billions of rand in investment would first have to be secured.

The first phase of work to stabilise the rim of the Big Hole is under way after ground movement was detected along Bultfontein Road in 2023.

Vacant buildings in the surrounding area have, in the meantime, been vandalised and fallen into disrepair, while taxis continue to use Bultfontein Road despite safety concerns.

Investors sought for next phase

Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala said the municipality would seek investors for the second phase of the project, aimed at developing the Big Hole into a tourism adventure attraction.

The special adviser on projects at the Office of the Premier, Hendrik Louw, said that once the ground around the Big Hole had been stabilised, businesses in the affected part of the C*D would be able to reopen.

“We employed workers who had been laid off from Ekapa Mines on the rehabilitation project,” Louw said.

From skywalks to tram routes

He said the Office of the Premier and Sol Plaatje Municipality, together with the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the national Department of Tourism, were steering the Big Hole precinct development project.

“We will approach private investors, as well as InvestSA, for funding to develop the Big Hole. In the next five to 10 years, we envision the Big Hole being utilised as a centre for business, entertainment, accommodation, sport and conferences.

“We are looking at building a skywalk, establishing botanical gardens with indigenous succulents and plants, and providing platforms for local artists. Local businesses and stalls can operate from the premises to revitalise the C*D. Jazz and arts festivals can also be hosted at the Big Hole,” Louw said.

He suggested that hiking and walking trails could be incorporated around the Big Hole, noting that the Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Big Hole Marathon was a Comrades Marathon qualifier.

“There is huge potential, as the Big Hole Museum attracts around 60,000 to 80,000 visitors a year. We want to incorporate the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre, Protea Hotel, skate park, Big Hole Museum, De Beers offices in Stockdale Street and Sol Plaatje University into the Big Hole precinct and establish linking tram routes.”

Louw estimated that about R5 billion would be needed to develop the Big Hole precinct to its full potential.

“Kimberley has turned into a vibrant student village and we need to cater for the youth. We can create tourist packages that include accommodation at the Protea Hotel, game drives, safari picnics in the veld, dining, sipping sundowners and listening to live music at the Big Hole,” Louw said.

Stabilisation work could continue until 2029

De Beers South Africa vice-president of communications Jackie Mapiloko said about 60,000 cubic metres of material had been excavated as part of the stabilisation work at the Big Hole.

“Construction started in 2026 and is expected to be completed during 2028/29, depending on weather conditions, regulatory processes and other factors that can affect construction.

“The stabilisation solution involves a combination of engineered slope reshaping and ground reinforcement measures. These include specialised anchoring systems and associated geotechnical interventions designed to improve long-term slope stability.”

She said the work was concentrated along the eastern boundary next to Bultfontein Road, as this had been identified as the area most susceptible to further pit-rim breakback.

“The engineering solution has been designed to provide a service life of more than 100 years, subject to ongoing monitoring and maintenance.”

Safety and future access

Mapiloko added that the primary objective of the project was to reduce long-term geotechnical risk and protect people and surrounding infrastructure.

“Future land use, access arrangements and operational activities within the broader precinct will be assessed as the project progresses, in consultation with the relevant authorities and stakeholders. At present, the focus remains on the safe ex*****on of the approved engineering solution and ensuring public safety.”

She said the eastern boundary was expected to be used mainly for pedestrian access once the engineering work had been completed.

“Future traffic and access arrangements will be considered in consultation with the municipality and other relevant authorities. Access arrangements in other areas remain unchanged.”

Mapiloko said about 50 local people were currently employed on the project.

“The project involves De Beers, specialist geotechnical and engineering consultants, environmental practitioners, contractors and relevant authorities.”

She said an evaporation pond and concrete diversion wall had been installed to divert stormwater away from the pit area.

“Groundwater management measures are also in place to reduce water ingress into affected areas. Water levels, stormwater and ground conditions continue to be monitored as part of the stabilisation programme.”

Development plans still at an early stage

Mapiloko said De Beers was discussing possible future development opportunities for the Big Hole and the broader precinct with a range of stakeholders.

“The Big Hole Museum attracts an average of approximately 80,000 visitors per year. We believe that there is an opportunity to include more attractions and improve the tourism potential.

“We have been engaging a range of stakeholders in this regard, though these ideas are still at an early stage. Any such development will require partnership, collaboration and the necessary approvals.”

De Beers divests non-core assets

Mapiloko also said De Beers Group was in the process of divesting non-core assets in Kimberley.

“As part of this process, De Beers has concluded the sale of Dronfield Game Farm to Kalahari Holdings (Pty) Ltd. The disposals of the Benfontein and Rooipoort game farms are in progress.

“We recognise the important role these properties have played over many years in conservation, scientific research, biodiversity and environmental stewardship, and have worked with the new owners and relevant organisations to support a responsible transition.

“The Stockdale Street office remains part of De Beers’ property portfolio and is currently being rented out,” Mapiloko said.

https://dfa.co.za/news/2026-09-03-r5-billion-vision-could-transform-kimberleys-big-hole/

Photos by Sandi Kwon Hoo / DFA

As stabilisation work continues at Kimberley’s Big Hole, officials are seeking investors to turn an ambitious R5 billion tourism and entertainment vision into reality.

02/09/2026

THE SOLOMON
Experience Timeless Elegance with Modern Comfort
A beautifully restored 1910 Edwardian house offering secure and comfortable Bed & Breakfast and Self-Catering accommodation in Kimberley for business travellers, contractors, company bookings and leisure guests. Flexible catering arrangements, including breakfast, dinner vouchers and packed lunches, can be provided by prior arrangement.

The Solomon combines the character of an historic Kimberley home with the practical comforts needed for a relaxed stay, including high-speed fibre Wi-Fi, air-conditioned rooms, private entrances and secure off-street parking.

We are conveniently situated in Beaconsfield, just 2km from Kimberley’s C*D and 6km from Kimberley Airport, making The Solomon a convenient base for guests visiting the city for business, work assignments, meetings, events or leisure.
Why stay at The Solomon?
Whether you are visiting Kimberley for business, an overnight stop, a longer work assignment or a leisure break, you will enjoy a tranquil and secure environment:

- Private entrance to your room
- Private en-suite bathroom with shower
- Air conditioning
- Fresh linen and towels
- Complimentary tea, coffee, sugar & milk sachets
- High-speed fibre-optic Wi-Fi
- OpenView satellite TV
- Private, secure off-street parking
- High walls and electric fencing
- Night lighting in the garden and secure car park

Business & Company Accommodation
The Solomon is well suited to business travellers, contractors and company bookings requiring comfortable accommodation with flexible meal options.

Depending on your requirements, we can arrange:
- Bed & Breakfast
- Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
- Dinner, Bed, Breakfast & Packed Lunch
- Accommodation Only or Self-Catering

Please request all catering needs at least 24 hours in advance.
Our home-cooked breakfast is served on-site at R150 per person.
For guests requiring dinner, we can provide a R250 voucher, subject to a 15% administration fee.
We can also provide a packed lunch for R150 per person.

These arrangements are available with any of our rooms, including our Self-Catering rooms. Companies requiring specific accommodation and catering arrangements are welcome to contact us directly for a quotation.

In addition, there are three excellent local restaurants and a cafe just 400m away at The Half. Mr Delivery is also available locally.

https://www.thesolomon.co.za

21/08/2026

https://www.thesolomon.co.za/kimberley-club
The Kimberley Club – Where the Diamond Magnates Met

Few buildings capture the extraordinary confidence, wealth and ambition of diamond-era Kimberley quite like the Kimberley Club. Established on 1 August 1881, the Club emerged at a time when Kimberley was changing at astonishing speed. What had begun little more than a decade earlier as a collection of rough diamond diggings was becoming an increasingly wealthy and sophisticated town. Mining claims were being consolidated, fortunes were being made and lost, and some of the men who had arrived on the diamond fields were beginning to exercise influence far beyond Kimberley. The Club offered them somewhere very different from the dust, noise and frantic activity surrounding the mines.

Modelled on the gentlemen's clubs of Victorian Britain, it provided dining rooms, lounges, a bar, billiards, reading rooms and comfortable surroundings in which members could eat, drink, meet friends and conduct business. Membership was exclusive and, for many decades, restricted almost entirely to men. Among the personalities closely associated with the Club were Cecil John Rhodes, Charles Rudd, Dr Leander Starr Jameson and many of the leading figures of Kimberley's mining, commercial and political world. Early member Neville Pickering described a world of evening dress, dinners and dances, velvet-pile and Turkey carpets, electric bells and a luxurious lounge. It must have presented an extraordinary contrast to the rough mining settlement that had existed only a few years earlier.

The Kimberley Club building seen today resulted from three major building phases between 1882 and 1896. The first two clubhouses were destroyed by fire, while the third clubhouse — designed by architect Daniel Westwood Greatbatch and completed in 1896 — forms the historic core of the building that survives today.

The Kimberley Club is synonymous with the early history of Kimberley’s diamond rush and reflects the impressive ambience of one of South Africa’s oldest clubs.

09/08/2026

National Women's Day in South Africa is celebrated on August 9th.

Kimberley's Daughter of Exile and Freedom: Mittah Seperepere, affectionately known by her maiden name "Goeieman", devoted over four decades of her life to South Africa's struggle for freedom. Born near Kimberley in 1929, she became an organiser, political activist, diplomat, parliamentarian and community leader whose work stretched from the streets of Galeshewe to African National Congress (ANC) missions across Africa and Europe. In recognition of her lifelong service, she was posthumously awarded the Order of Luthuli (Bronze) in 2014, one of South Africa's highest civilian honours.

Discover the story of Mittah Seperepere, Kimberley-born anti-apartheid activist, ANC leader, diplomat, Member of Parliament and recipient of the Order of Luthuli.

08/08/2026

National Women's Day in South Africa is celebrated on August 9th.

Few people have left a greater humanitarian legacy in Kimberley than Sister Henrietta Stockdale. Arriving during the chaos of the diamond rush, she transformed nursing from largely untrained charitable work into a respected profession founded on education, discipline and compassionate care.

Her greatest achievement was not simply establishing Southern Africa's first formal nurses' training school. Through her determination and leadership, the Cape Colony became the first jurisdiction in the world to introduce statutory registration, recognised training schools and standardised examinations for nurses and midwives. Every professionally trained nurse in South Africa owes something to the pioneering work that began in Kimberley.

Henrietta Stockdale was born in England. She first came to Kimberley in the winter of 1876, working as a district nurse in the mining camps, and then at Kimberley’s new Carnarvon Hospital. She died at the age of 64 on 6th October 1911 in Kimberley.

07/08/2026

National Women's Day in South Africa is celebrated on August 9th. Why?

In 1956, 20 000 women of all races in South Africa marched to Pretoria's Union Buildings on 9 August to present a petition against the carrying of passes by women to the prime minister, J.G. Strijdom.

The march against the pass laws was organised by the Federation of South African Women (FSAW or FEDSAW). The Federation famously challenged the idea that 'a woman's place is in the kitchen', declaring it instead to be 'everywhere'.

After the petition was handed over, the women sang a freedom song: Wathint` abafazi, Strijdom! Since then, the phrase 'wathint' abafazi, wathint' imbokodo' (You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock) has come to represent the courage and strength of South African women.

The first National Women's Day was celebrated in 1995. South Africa had just become a democratic country at the time, and the day was declared a national holiday. Since then, annual celebrations take place throughout the country. It has become one of the national holidays, with activities organised, with women in prominent positions making appearances and giving speeches at venues across the country. August has since been declared National Women’s Month.
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Frances Baard was one of South Africa's most respected anti-apartheid activists and trade union leaders. Born in Kimberley in 1909, she devoted much of her life to campaigning for equal rights, fair working conditions and political freedom, enduring imprisonment, solitary confinement and years of banning for her beliefs.

Today, her name lives on through the Frances Baard District Municipality, while a bronze statue in Kimberley honours one of the city's most remarkable daughters. You can read more here.

Discover the life of Frances Baard (1909–1997), Kimberley-born anti-apartheid activist, trade union leader and champion of women's rights, honoured by a bronze statue and the Frances Baard District Municipality.

05/08/2026

An Architect Who Still Shapes Kimberley
More than a century after Fergus Carstairs Rogers designed these buildings, they remain part of everyday life in Kimberley. Children still attend St Patrick's CBC, bowlers still gather at Kimberley Town Bowling Club, visitors admire the Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum, coffee is served daily at Armagh, shoppers pass The Corner, and City Hall continues to dominate the city's civic heart. Together, these buildings stand as a lasting reminder of the architect whose vision helped shape Kimberley's distinctive character.

Did You Know?
Fergus Carstairs Rogers designed buildings for almost every aspect of Kimberley life—government, education, religion, commerce, recreation, healthcare and private homes. More than 120 years later, most of these buildings are still standing, and many continue to serve the very purposes for which they were originally built.

Fergus Carstairs Rogers came to South Africa in 1889 where he was initially employed by the Kimberley Public Works Department for two years before setting up independent practice. He designed the Kimberley City Hall and the Alexander McGregor Memorial Mus

02/08/2026

02/08/2026

On this day...
On 2 August 1875, one remarkable woman helped shape the social heart of Kimberley. Catherine Jardine’s purchase of the Queen’s Hotel transformed it into the finest hotel on the Diamond Fields, welcoming some of the most influential figures of the Victorian era. Today, the building still stands as one of Kimberley’s oldest surviving commercial landmarks and a lasting reminder of the city’s golden age.

Behind every famous city are remarkable people whose generosity, determination and vision helped shape the community around them. Catherine Jardine's story reminds us that Kimberley's history was written not only by mining magnates and politicians, but also by ordinary people whose compassion left an extraordinary legacy.

Discover what happened in Kimberley on 2 August. Learn how Catherine Jardine transformed the Queen's Hotel into the most prestigious hotel on the diamond fields and earned the title "Mother of the Diggers."

29/07/2026

https://www.thesolomon.co.za/jul29

Discover the remarkable story of the 381-carat Arc Diamond, found near Gong-Gong outside Kimberley on 29 July 1921. Learn how three prospectors struck one of South Africa's greatest diamond discoveries after weeks of hardship.