In 1853, Cecil John Rhodes was born in Hertfordshire, England. In 1870, while he was still a teenager, Rhodes was sent to Natal, South Africa in order to pursue growing cotton with his elder brother. While in South Africa, Rhodes soon became involved in the mining business, acquired a large fortune at age nineteen, and attended Oxford University. It was at Oxford where he developed his "great idea", first for South Africa, then the rest of the continent, and eventually the whole world. He bought out all the mining industries and created a monopoly in Africa, which ran the whole diamond industry, and made him the richest man in the world. Rhodes' accomplishments strengthened the African industry, but in return created apartheid. Apartheid was one of the most devastating events in South African history, which still is having a ripple effect today. Cecil Rhodes' efforts to "save Africa from itself" were just mere covers. His real priorities in Africa were in favor of his own fortune, the glory of his country, and the development of English white supremacy. Although Cecil Rhodes built the core for the African industry, his real intentions were self-servant.
In 1860, diamonds were spotted in southern Africa. By 1871, diamonds were being mined in Kimberly, South Africa. In lust of fortune, Rhodes and his brother traveled towards the diamonds, much like tens of thousands of others, and begun hunting for their luck in diamonds. Among all of these men, Rhodes stood out as being an elite, highly educated businessman. He rose above, and in 1880, bought out the two diamond companies at the time, to merge one company, De Beers. This monopolistic industry outstandingly helped Africa's economic state. The exports went from 2,000,000 in 1870 to 15, 000, 0000 by the end of the century. This was all because of Rhodes. He ran the company, he ran the industry, and he ran the continent. He was what made Africa known as the world's largest diamond producer.