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FOREWORD
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IX
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is not always of the clearest. For a time she was helped by Mrs. Doreen Neill, whom I also thank.
For
technical aid in the preparation of the bibhography and for indexing
this book, I am indebted to Mr. I. Isaacson, deputy librarian of the
University of the Witwatersrand.
4> •#• 4
It
has been necessary, in regard to certain matters, to extend the story
beyond the date of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer's death, but I have not taken
account of developments subsequent to 31 May 1961, when the Union of
South Africa was replaced, in virtue of Act 32 of 1961 (The Republic of
South Africa Constitution Act, 1961), Article 3, by the Republic of
South Africa.
A
few further words of explanation will be in place. This book is not,
and was not intended to be, a formal life of Sir Ernest Oppen-heimer,
though I have naturally not overlooked the obvious fact that a man's
life-work cannot be dissociated from his personality and his private
life. I have to thank Lady Oppenheimer, as well as friends of Ernest
Oppenheimer, for guidance and information, and for the loan of
photographs.
It
is natural that in the general literature on Southern African mining
the romantic aspect of diamonds and of gold should have been stressed
and that Ernest Oppenheimer should have had titles such as the 'King of
Diamonds' and the 'Emperor of Metals' bestowed upon him by journalists
and publicists. That there is a romantic side to the story is
indubitable: Ernest Oppenheimer himself, throughout his life, was
profoundly affected by the fascination which diamonds had for him. But
this book is not concerned with the glitter of precious stones nor with
the glamour of gold. It tells a 'success story', if that
question-begging phrase be permissible, and deals with the economic
background in some detail, but it is a success story which would not
have been possible without the deployment of innate genius, unremitting
toil and invincible courage.
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