Flamingo - Book Reviews - Treasures of the Diamond Coast
Minutes after opening this formidable book, which is as big in format as it is in content, you know that you must have it. Even a cursory perusal of the pages reveals that it is an immaculate documentation written in an engaging and reader-friendly style, making it deserving of a place on any bookshelf.
Treasures of the Diamond Coast is undoubtedly the definitive book on the development of diamond mining in Namibia, as it meticulously chronicles all aspects of the diamond-mining industry, from the events leading up to the discovery of the first diamond to the major impact this find had on the country’s economy and the culture that ensued from it. Moreover, the information and visual material are presented in such a way that the book appeals to a wide readership, from the general reader and historian to the specialist collecting Namibiana.
Author Gabi Schneider studied geology and mineralogy at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt Germany. She obtained her Ph.D. in 1984 and in 1996 was appointed director of Geological Survey of Namibia, the post she currently holds. Dr Schneider, who has already endeared herself to the travelling public with her well-written The Roadside Geology of Namibia, starts with her rationale for writing this mammoth labour of love (320 pages): “The world’s largest diamond placer deposit, consisting almost entirely of gem-quality stones, occurs in Namibia. Consequently the country has developed into one of the leading diamond-mining countries in the world, and its importance for the gem-diamond trade cannot be overemphasised. For a century, human endeavour and technological innovation have played a leading role in diamond mining in Namibia, and have shaped the country’s economy and society like no other sector of the Namibian mining industry. I therefore felt that the 100th anniversary of the first diamond find presented a unique opportunity to compile a comprehensive historical review of developments and events in the Namibian diamond-mining industry, in particular since an all-embracing attempt had not been made before.”
She proceeds to acknowledge and thank the great number of people who assisted her in compiling the contents of the book. This list of people in itself is impressive, including such notables as Dr Martin Schneider, Gunter von Schumann, Dr Christa and George Schemmer, Peter Reiner, Theo Schoeman, Frauke and Hartmut Rechholtz, Frank and Marion Wittneben, and Achim Lensen. A large number of people made photographs available from their private collections, the historical images being reproduced in black and white and the modern ones in colour.
In addition to photographs, the book is generously illustrated with reproductions of documents, maps, mine plans, sketches and other artwork. The scene of each chapter is set by a quotation of perceptions and opinions expressed by one of a wide variety of people, from Zacharias Lewala, the railway worker who found the first officially recognised diamond, and his superior Bahnmeister August Stauch, to geologists, engineers, government officials, businessmen, journalists, authors, in short people who in one way or another had a connection with the exploration and production of diamonds in Namibia.
The introductory chapters are followed by a Prelude, which examines the search for diamonds before 1908. Back in 1855, for instance, the missionary H Kreft described in a letter to his mission headquarters “small transparent angled stones that look like crystals”. This was ignored and he eventually threw the stones away, saying “What should I do with diamonds? They only bring tragedy to a country.” Mining in the area south of Lüderitz started as early as 1863, primarily for guano, and traces of copper and silver were found, but the miners were blissfully unaware of the diamonds covering the ground close by. It is interesting that Adolph Lüderitz, over twenty years before the first diamond was picked up by Lewala at the railway line near Kolmanskop, named the hill where the well-known Felsenkirche (Lutheran Church) stands in Lüderitz today as Diamantberg. In the intervening years there were several finds of stones thought to be diamonds, but it was only after the official identification of Lewala’s find in April 1908 that August Stauch laid the foundation for the development of the diamond-mining industry in German South West Africa.
In Parts III (1908–1920), IV (1920–1990) and V (1990–2009) the author recreates the growth of the industry step by step, detailing the many different companies and individuals who played their respective roles. Prepare yourself for a compelling read of a book that will serve well as a reference work for many years to come. Text by Amy Schoeman
