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Marks remained on good terms with Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato as well as Alois Hugo Nellmapius from whom he obtained the first concession to start his business venture in the ZAR. The Marks family visitors' book reveals names of aristocratic lords and ladies as well as highly-placed officials including Boer and British generals.
Marks often acted as an adviser to President Paul Kruger, his lifelong friend. When President Kruger desperately needed funds for the completion of the railway line to Delagoa Bay, he turned to Marks. He in turn, through his partner, Isaac Lewis, based in London, obtained a loan for the government for the vast sum of £2 500.000 from the London Rothchilds. This was insufficient to complete the railway system and consequently Marks approached the newly established local National Bank and obtained another loan for the ZAR government of £350 000.
Rhodes and Marks knew each other since before they became rich and famous. They kept on good terms and Rhodes visited Zwartkoppies while on a visit to Pretoria. It was on Marks's suggestion that Rhodes bought land and set up his fruit-farming in the Cape Province. |
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The meeting of President Kruger and President Reitz on the occasion of the union of the Transvaal and Free State by railway, 21st May 1892. Sammy Marks stands fifth from the right.