The Kimberley Prospector

In a symbolic act of commitment to education and community development, the De Beers Group has generously donated the iconic Harry Oppenheimer House (HOH) building in Kimberley to Sol Plaatje University (SPU). The official key passing ceremony, attended by Zamani Saul, Premier of the Northern Cape, marked the transition of this historic landmark to the university.

The HOH building, formerly the headquarters of the De Beers Group in Kimberley, has been valued at R54 million. De Beers’ decision to donate this architectural gem to SPU signifies a profound shift from their well-known tagline, ‘Diamond is forever,’ to a new mantra, ‘Education is forever.’

Moses Madondo, Managing Director of De Beers Group Managed Operations, emphasized the company’s commitment to the socio-development of the Northern Cape. “When we relocated our rough diamond sorting and valuation facility from Kimberley to Johannesburg, we made a commitment that our remaining assets would be utilized for the benefit of the city of Kimberley and the Province,” said Madondo. “This donation will have a long-lasting impact on the future of the province through the development of young people through education – one of De Beers’ key developmental areas.”

The HOH building, valued at R54 million, will serve as the main administration block for SPU, playing a pivotal role as the strategic headquarters of the University. This significant addition will enable the University to expand its administrative capacity and further develop its recently launched Centre for Continuous Professional Development.

Prof Andrew Crouch, SPU’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, expressed gratitude for the enduring partnership with De Beers. “Legacy gifts such as this will ensure that the University is able to provide educational and research excellence and innovation far into the future. We are proud partners of De Beers in our joint endeavours to create a better future for the youth in this region.”

However, as the city celebrates this generous donation, some residents are questioning the absence of Premier Zamani Saul during the ongoing water crisis affecting parts of Kimberley. The juxtaposition of a landmark gift to education and the pressing water concerns highlights the complexities faced by the city.

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