The Malay Camp has been described as a slum – an eye-sore that had to be dismantled and replaced with something
better. I can still remember the Malay Camp as a tiny suburb and during my childhood and adolescent years I must
have walked through every street a hundred times or more. What I found were people of all races and beliefs living in
neat well-constructed houses (except for a few), well dressed and friendly people, probably as highly civilized as any
community in any other suburb in South Africa at the time.
We are told that families were happy to move to the Floors and elsewhere. Would such contented people who loved
their homes and neighbours be happy to move on demand? I still remember vividly how I had to be forcibly removed
from the Shannon Street Mosque when we protested at the breaking down of the mosque.
The community of the Malay Camp took the lead in building a religious, cultured and crime-free society which was
able to compete in every field with the best in the country.
Mr S. Hunter
Chairman of the Malay Camp Heritage Association
April 2006
Besides walking, wagons were the only mode of
transport to get to the Diamond Fields.
INHABITANTS
Before 1880 the population group was primarily
comprised of two distinct ethnic identities, the Malays
and the Indians.
1. The Malays
The Malays established themselves on the Diamond
Fields in the 1870s. They were descendants of Malays
who were brought to South Africa as slaves or free
burghers, from the eastern possessions of the Dutch
East India Company during the years 1652 to 1749.
By 1871 many of them were employed as diggers
along the Vaal River. After the discovery of the dry
diggings, a small group established themselves on
Dutoitspan. By 1877, there were about 600 people
residing in the Malay Camp.7
7
Matthews, JW. Incwadi Yami, pp. 405-407.
The Perseverance Guild
During 1881, the Reverend JT Darragh was ordained as a priest and under his leadership the Perseverance Guild grew into a successful
missionary undertaking.35 In 1892 Miss Eleonara-Catherine Cuyler, member of the Community of St Michael and All Angels, assumed duty
as mission worker and teacher in the Camp. She took up residence in the Anglican mission house in Hand Street where the Perseverance
Guild held regular social events. The following year needlework classes commenced for women members of the Perseverance Guild and
the Holy Cross. These ladies made smocks and dresses for the choir, and also other sewn items for sale at church bazaars and jumble
sales.
During the Christmas holiday of 1894 the first Christmas celebrations
were held and various variety shows were staged.36 The annual prizegiving function of the Perseverance Sunday School was always a
memorable occasion for the children.37
Another highlight of the year was the annual picnic for the Sunday
school children and day scholars on the banks of the Modder River. The
children were accompanied by their parents and teachers.38
Pascoe, CF. Two hundred years of SPG: an historical account of the Society for
the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, (1701-1900), pp. 317-318.
33
Sister Catherine. 1886.
32
McGregor Museum
church history files.
34
Universal Cricket Club
H. Jafta A.R. Reed F. Smith J. Delport
J.I. Parker A. Barron T. McAnda W.A. Delport J.J. Jansen J. O’Connor
J.C. McAnda I.J. Fredricks J.G. Hannie W.A. Abrahams T. Musson
(Vice-Captain)
(President)
(Capt.)
(Life President)
(Treasurer)
Cricket
During the 19th century cricket was undoubtedly the
most popular sport in Kimberley. It was played “not
only by the British residents but also by the blacks in
the location, the Malays in their camp, the Cape Dutch
as well as in the mine compounds”.48
Universal Cricket Club.
Empire Cricket Club.
By 1888 organisation among Africans in Kimberley
had developed to the extent that a cricket team was
sent to play against Port Elizabeth, and by 1890
cricketers from Kimberley started participating in the
inter-town tournaments for both Blacks and Malays.
In 1892 the Griqualand West Coloured Cricket Union
(GWCCU) representing black cricketers in the area
was established to regulate the contests between the
various local clubs.49
Isaiah Bud-M’belle was instrumental in persuading Sir
David Harris to donate an expensive silver trophy to
black cricketers. In 1897 the Barnato Memorial Trophy
was handed over to the GWCCU. At the first Barnato
tournament held in Port Elizabeth in 1898/99 it was
announced that a cricket board would be elected to
“administer the Barnato Memorial Trophy”. At the end
of 1903, the efforts of S Mtoba, the newly appointed
secretary of the GWCCU, based in the Malay Camp,
resulted in a new constitution for the South African
Coloured Cricket Board, with the first tournament
being held in Kimberley during 1904.50
DFA 24.2.1899
Odendaal, Andre. The Story of an African game, p. 76.
50
Ibid, p. 81.
48
49
Rev William Pescod came to
Kimberley as Superintendent of the
Bean Street Methodist Church, where
he served for 43 years. He also served
on the Kimberley School Board for
47 years. It was due to his efforts that
primary schools were established in
every suburb of the city. The William
Pescod High School was so named
in recognition of his distinguished
services in education.67
Isaiah Bud-M’belle, well-known
interpreter, community leader, politician
and brother-in-law of Sol T Plaatje
lived and worked in the Malay Camp.
A talented sportsman and musician,
he played a leading part in the social
and political life of Kimberley’s
black community. His career and
achievements were frequently held up
as an example of what was possible for
a Black to achieve.
Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje, author,
politician, translator and journalist
came to Kimberley in 1894 to work
as a postman. Here, he commenced
studying privately and obtained the
Cape Civil Service Certificate in
about seven months. Plaatje was
introduced into the black social
circles by Bud-M’belle and the two
became very active in the affairs of
the black community.
67
DFA 13.10.1945
Malay Memorial
In 2006 an obelisk was erected in
the Oppenheimer Gardens in the
centre of the Old Malay Camp.
Malay Camp Heritage Association was formed in 2003. Its aim is to identify, nurture and preserve the heritage
of Malay Camp.
Oral history project
An initial project to collect social and living history on the Malay Camp
was launched in 2000 by the Historical Society of Kimberley and the
Northern Cape.
During 2003 Mr Louis Mallett interviewed many individuals and families
for inclusion in his book on the social history of the Malay Camp. The
records of these interviews are housed at the McGregor Museum.
Historical research using all resources available, including oral history,
was used to investigate this historical background to the Malay Camp
from its origin to its demolition. The mere stroke of a pen shattered the
community and broke up families. The recording and preserving of the
rich multi-cultured history of the Malay Camp is an attempt to make
people aware of the injustice of forced removals and restore some dignity
to those who had to leave their homes.