British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes died in Cape Town aged 48 on March 26, 1902. Rhodes amassed huge wealth in South Africa’s mining boom in the 1870s and 80s, finally controlling 90 percent of the world’s diamond production.
In 1890 he became the prime minister of the Cape Colony. His chartered British South Africa Company conquered black kings to establish the British crown in Northern and Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
He was implicated in the piratical Jameson Raid on the Transvaal Boers in 1896, and forced from office. He sacrificed his chances of vindication in the scandal for the sake of England’s honour. Friends say it broke his heart and brought about his early demise.
Most notable historic snippets or facts extracted from the book ‘On This Day’ first published in 1992 by Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, London, as well as additional supplementary information extracted from Wikipedia.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
