r. Alfred Beit is one of the most fascinating characters in Rhodesian history. Beit was born in Hamburg in 1853, the son of a Jewish businessman who had been converted to Lutheranism. Young Beit emigrated, gained a leading position in the South African gold and diamond business, and became Mr. Rhodes’s most important financial ally. Indeed, without Beit’s backing Mr. Rhodes could not have carried out his schemes for the opening up of Northern and Southern Rhodesia under the Charter.

eit was a convinced advocate of Anglo-German understanding and even envisaged an Anglo-German condominium in East and Central Africa.

n the early days of the development of Rhodesia, when roads were virtually non-existent, Beit foresaw that the country’s greatest needs would be in the communications field. A large proportion of Beit’s wealth, amounting originally to £1 200 000, was accordingly bequeathed for public purposes in Rhodesia through the creation of the Beit Trust.

e set up this trust fund for the specific purpose of assisting an undeveloped country in a way which foreshadowed public assistance schemes for backward countries in later times. Firstly the Trust financed Rhodesian railway projects for feeder lines which could not hope to be paying propositions for a long time but which played a valuable part in development. Later the Trust turned to bridge-building, and in addition a great deal of money was spent on the award of scholarships and the provision of buildings for educational and community purposes. The Trust continues this work to the present day.

he great bridge which spans the Limpopo linking Rhodesia with South Africa is known as Beit Bridge but many other bridges were built thanks to the Trust. One of the most spectacular of these is the graceful arch of the Birchenough Bridge over the Sabi River whose thousand-foot span joins Fort Victoria to the Eastern Districts. Its single arch rises 280 feet above the river and was built on the same principle as the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was opened to traffic in December 1935. The bridge was designed by Mr. Ralph Freeman, and was built by Dorman Long of Middlesborough. It was named after Sir Henry Birchenough, a Beit trustee.