In the late nineteenth century, the politics and culture of the Boer Republics clashed with the modernizing movement of the Uitlanders on the quickly rising Reef.
6. Discovery of Gold in the Witwatersrand in 1886
- This marked a significant turnaround in SA economy, social and political
spheres.
- The first South African “Gold Rush” in 1886 in the Transvaal colony
- In a farm called Langleegte Witwatersrand/the Rand (Johannesburg)
- This area then developed to be the largest single producer of gold in the world.
8. 1. Deep Level Mining
• These deep-mining companies required a large sum of investment as they required shafts, machinery,
and explosives to access the gold in the rocks.
• They had to dig deep to find the gold.
• The deeper they went, the more machinery they required. New Expensive machines had to be brought
in.
2. Impact of the Discovery of Gold
1. Urbanization.
-Beginning of the City of Johannesburg.
-7000 people were in the region and 75 000 citizens from the United Kingdom immigrated
to South Africa
-Influx of people
9. Impact of the Discovery of gold
2. The Migrant Labour System
-Workers were given contracts. (3-12 months)
-Temporary workers. Influx of Workers from Southern African states.
-Introduced taxes that forced black South Africans to come and work in the mines.
10. Impact of the Discovery of gold
4. Emergence of Classes
Capitalists: These Randlords controlled most of the holding companies and funding that went into deep-level
gold mining
Middle Class: The ‘Middle Class consisted if the mining specialists and semi-skilled miners
Working Class/ Mineworkers: These mine workers were required to attain the gold from the reefs that were
situated thousands of meters into the earth.
Uitlanders (Outsiders)- British Workers.
13. Any comments?
Recommendations about today’s lesson?
Any Questions?
Assessment:
Homework:
Research question: Research about the biggest mine in South Africa or Africa and deduce how they
treat the mine workers.
CONCLUSION