During the first few decades of the 20th century, the Kimberley City Hall played host to a number of lavish social events. In April 1913, for example, mayor Ernest Oppenheimer and his wife May held a ball for more than 700 guests. And in July 1925, the building was decorated with thousands of lights when the Prince of Wales paid a visit. To think this beautiful building was almost demolished in 1970…
The cornerstone was laid on 16 November 1898 and construction was completed the following year. The building comprised a big main hall, a dining room, a boardroom, the mayor’s quarters, a committee room, the town clerk’s office and other municipal offices.
The pediment above the colonnade sports the old city crest, with the motto Spero Meliora, which means…