Kimberley, a unique city of internationally important history, its Big Hole and ancillary tourist attractions should be marketed more thoroughly to attract international tourists willing to spend money.
Complementary to this, heritage and archaeological industrial tourism can create desperately needed jobs. This is the opinion of two British steam engine enthusiasts and journalists who recently visited the city and were in awe of the steam engines and a steam tram at the Big Hole.
They are Colin Tyson, former editor of Old Glory magazine and a transport and industrial heritage journalist, and Derek Rayner, a former engineer at British Railways who writes articles on industrial archaeology.
Rayner, who owns a restored steam roller, was emotionally moved when he saw the steam tram, Beaconsfield, also called Puffing Billy at the Big Hole.
“I have a fetish for steam trams. It is the only one of four left in the world made by this manufacturer in Leeds. The tram is in pretty good condition, even though there are parts missing. It could be restored and used as a tourist attraction to pull carriages filled with tourists.
“This tram was first used in England before electricity was invented. Thereafter it was sold to De Beers, who used it in Kimberley until electric trams, like the one currently used at the Big Hole, replaced the steam tram.”
The experts also admired two little steam locomotives on the side of the Big Hole, as well as the steam plough or traction engine and winding gear.
“It is magnificent, but should be restored and displayed,” says Rayner. “These plough engines were manufactured in pairs and used to plough fields. The ploughing engines would be positioned on either side of the field, with the ploughing equipment pulled between it by a wire rope affixed to a drum under the engine.”
Rayner and Tyson brought old photos of a pair of steam engines taken 20 odd years ago. The pair of engines were manufactured in 1909 and bought by De Beers. The one is at the Big Hole and the other in Koffiefontein at the town’s entrance, they thought.
They went to Koffiefontein to look at the engine’s works plate to find a serial number to confirm their suspicions.
Tyson says Kimberley is blessed with many historically important relics from the industrial past.
“It is not possible to restore every steam engine, but restored ones can be displayed to interpret history and the future. At the Bluebell Railway Museum in Sussex we regularly have learners visiting. We have operating steam locomotives and carriages and re-enactments. Learning is much more fun in live locations than classrooms. I have not seen any tourist guides at the Big Hole to take tourists or school groups around.
“The Big Hole is certainly not marketed well enough in England. The ancillary attractions that complement the historical displays at the Big Hole are very important to attract international tourists.
Sandy Buchanan, a South African steam enthusiast involved in the tourism sector, accompanied the Brits. He says Kimberley’s history “offers a unique comparative advantage that should be exploited to attract tourist and create jobs”.
He recalls that a few decades ago, Kimberley hosted hugely popular steam festivals.
