Old School of Mines, Kimberley

The Old School of Mines building in Hull Street, Kimberley, is where the South African School of Mines was established in 1896, later evolving into the Transvaal University College, and eventually into both the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Pretoria. In 1904 the school was moved to Johannesburg, becoming the Transvaal Technical Institute which, in turn, was renamed the Transvaal University College in 1906. The separation of Johannesburg and Pretoria campuses in 1910 paved the way for establishment of the Universities of the Witwatersrand (1922) and of Pretoria (1930).^[1][2]

Heritage, theatre and tourism

Kimberley's Old School of Mines building was declared as a national monument (now a provincial heritage site) in 1977 on account of its association with the development of the mining industry, having been erected to house the first technical training school for the mining industry in South Africa.^[3] Of architectural interest as well, it is an example of late Victorian style.

In the 1980s-90s the Kimberley Repertory Players converted the building for use as the Hull Street Theatre.

The building was being promoted as a tourist attraction by the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality in Kimberley's tourism website, Kimberley: the city that sparkles.^[4] But heritage conservation issues mark its most recent history in a context of neglect and with construction work on an adjoining property encroaching towards and partially obscuring the building.

References

University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, South Africa People Chancellor: Dikgang Moseneke Vice-Chancellor: Adam Habib Notable academics Notable alumni History South African School of Mines Transvaal University College Schmerenbeck Educational Centre for Gifted and Talented Children Faculties Commerce, Law and Management Engineering and the Built Environment School of Architecture and Planning School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Health Sciences Humanities Science Knowledge Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research Global Change and Sustainability Research Institute Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit Marang Centre for Mathematics and Science Education South African Institute of International Affairs African Centre for Gene Technologies Philosophical Papers Wits Enterprise Campus Life Campuses Wits Vuvuzela VoW FM Wits Theatre Complex Johannesburg Planetarium Wits Solar Car Bidvest Stadium Wits University F.C. Varsity Shield Residence Life East Campus Cluster International House Jubilee Hall Men's Hall Sunnyside Hall Parktown Cluster Ernest Oppenheimer Hall Knockando Hall Parktown Village Affiliated Hospitals Charlotte Maxeke Hospital Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Helen Joseph Hospital Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital University People

University of Pretoria Pretoria, South Africa People Chancellor Wiseman Nkuhlu Vice-Chancellor Cheryl de la Rey Notable academics Notable alumni History South African School of Mines Transvaal University College Merensky Library Kya Rosa Academics Theology Humanities Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology Law Education Veterinary Science Health Sciences Natural and Agricultural Sciences Economic and Management Sciences Business School Gordon Institute of Business Science Knowledge African Centre for Gene Technologies Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute Centre for Human Rights Library Special Collections UPSpace Van Wouw Museum Mapungubwe Museum Van Gybland-Oosterhoff Collection Van Tilburg Collection Botanical Garden Medical Facilities Kalafong Hospital Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital Steve Biko Hospital Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital Sport University of Pretoria F.C. FNB Varsity Cup Student life Camerata Hatfield Die Perdeby Tuks FM University People