Grade 8 - Topic 2 - The Mineral Revolution in South Africa

Background and Focus of Grade 8- Term 2: The Mineral Revolution in South Africa

The Mineral Revolution in South Africa started with the discovery of diamonds in Kimberley in 1867, and intensified with the discovery of deep-level gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886. By the time that gold was discovered, African kingdoms had lost their independence. During the gold-mining revolution, patterns of land and labour were established and continued into the 20th century. This lesson focuses on the changing balance of power in South Africa brought about by gold mining, and the foundations of racial segregation by exploring Britain, diamond mining and increasing labour control and land expansionism as well as Deep-level gold mining on the Witwatersrand 1886 onwards.

Key Terms

  • Annexation: the act of taking control of a country, region, etc, especially by force

  • Compound: an area surrounded by a fence or wall in which a factory or other group of buildings stands

  • Frontier: a line that separates two countries, etc.; the land near this line

  • Independence:  freedom from political control by other countries

  • Merino Sheep: a breed of sheep with long fine wool

  • Mineral: a substance that is naturally present in the earth and is not formed from animal or vegetable matter, for example gold and salt.

  • Mining Magnate: a person who is rich, powerful and successful, especially in mining

  • Pastoral Farming: a farming practice relating to the farming of animals

  • Peasant: a farmer who owns or rents a small piece of land

  • Protectorate: a country that is controlled and protected by a more powerful country

Source: http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com

CAPS Requirements for Term 2

History Term 2 Topic: The Mineral Revolution in South Africa

Suggested contact time: One term/15 hours. This content must be integrated with the historical aims and skills and the associated concepts listed in Section 2

Background: The Mineral Revolution in South Africa started with the discovery of diamonds in Kimberley in 1867, and intensified with the discovery of deep-level gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886. By the time that gold was discovered, African kingdoms had lost their independence. During the gold-mining revolution, patterns of land and labour were established and continued into the 20th century.

Focus: Changing balance of power in South Africa brought about by gold mining, and the foundations of racial segregation.

Content and topics:

Ӣ Britain, diamond mining and increasing labour control and land expansionism

- Increasing control over black workers: closed compounds and migrant labour

- Further land dispossession and defeat of African kingdoms: Xhosa 1878 and Pedi and Zulu 1879

Ӣ Deep-level gold mining on the Witwatersrand 1886 onwards

- Why gold is valuable

- The discovery and mining of deep level gold on the Witwatersrand

o How gold is mined

o Conditions underground

o The Randlords and the formation of the Chamber of Mines

o Migrant workers (more systematic control and borrowing of compound system from Kimberley)

o Increasing burden on women in the reserves, erosion of families

o Skilled and unskilled white workers

o Anti-Indian legislation

o Forms of labour resistance

o The city of Johannesburg

- The Mineral Revolution as a turning point in South African history

o The shifting balance of power: defeat of the Boer Republics 1902; African Political Organisation (APO) 1902; Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC) 1903; Bambatha Rebellion 1906; Union 1910; formation of South African Native National Congress (SANNC) 1912 (later renamed ANC); Satyagraha Campaign of 1913 – 1914; Land Act 1913

o Map of Southern Africa in 1913 compared with 1860

Resource Links

Topic 1: Britian, Diamond mining and increasing labour control and land expansion

Topic 2: Deep level Gold Mining on the Witwatersrand

  • Map of 1860

This is a map of South Africa before European colonization occurred. Source: http://s13.zetaboards.com/Res_Dura/search/6/?c=3&mid=259603&month=3&year=2013

  • Map of 1913

Map of Southern Africa in 1913.

Source:http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=431010&sn=Detail&pid=71616

Collections in the Archives