Britain, diamond mining and increasing labour control and land expansionism - UNIT 1 TERM 2

The Mineral Revolution: Gold, Power & Segregation in South Africa
How Gold Changed a Country Forever

Unit 1: Increasing control over black workers: Closed Compounds and Migrant Labours

Once Upon a Time in South Africa...

Before 1867, South Africa was mainly rural. Picture farms, herders, and traders making a living in peaceful, close-knit communities. The African kingdoms, like the mighty Zulu and Xhosa, were strong and ruled over their lands with pride. But then, something shiny happened that changed everything.

💎 The Discovery of Diamonds in 1867 and the subsequent Gold Rush in 1886 were the sparks that set off a revolution. Gold was discovered in Witwatersrand, and suddenly, the world came rushing in. Imagine it like the moment in a video game where you find treasure—everyone wants a piece of it!

What Exactly Was the Mineral Revolution?

The Mineral Revolution was South Africa's very own industrial revolution. It was a huge shift—from farming to mining. People flooded into the country, eager to work in the gold mines. New cities, roads, and railways were built—Johannesburg grew faster than Cape Town, becoming a bustling metropolis in just a decade! It was like a boomtown after finding treasure.

The Boom That Shaped the Nation

Gold meant power. The people who controlled the mines—mostly white mining bosses—became incredibly rich. But the workers, the black South Africans, were treated like mere tools. They labored in the mines, earning meager wages, while living in poor conditions far from their families.

Meanwhile, white miners lived much better lives, with better pay, food, and housing. It wasn’t just an economic divide—it was a racial divide that created a permanent underclass.

What Were Closed Compounds?

Black mine workers were often forced to live in closed compounds during their 3-6 month contracts. These were surrounded by fences, offering little freedom. Imagine being locked up in a dormitory, where you can't leave or even see your family.

The living conditions were harsh—poor food, no proper clothing, cold winters, and sick workers who got little to no medical care. The experience was so dreadful that it almost felt like being in a prison dorm.

What Did the Sources Say?

When we look at the two different sources about these closed compounds, we get two very different views:

• Source C paints a positive picture. It talks about workers having shoes, blankets, and even learning to read.
• Source B, however, paints a darker picture—strip searches, poor living conditions, and harsh treatment.

It’s likely that Source C was written by someone who benefitted from the system—like a mine manager. Source B, on the other hand, may have come from someone who cared about the workers' well-being.

A Tale of Two Workers

Let's compare the lives of two miners:

• Sipho was a black miner. He lived in a closed compound, worked long hours, and was separated from his family. The work was grueling, and he faced humiliation with strip searches.
• Peter, a white miner, had a completely different life. He lived in a town with his family, had better pay, and didn’t face the same treatment as Sipho.

It’s clear that the system was unfair, and this became a key part of South Africa’s struggle for equality.

Why Did They Keep Black Men in Compounds?

There were several reasons the mining bosses wanted to control black workers so strictly:

1. To prevent diamond theft.
2. To make it easier to search them for contraband.
3. To keep control over them and ensure they worked as much as possible.
4. To make more money from their labor.

This led to strict rules and eventually contributed to the rise of racial segregation in the country.

The Dark Side of the Mineral Revolution

The closed compounds had a devastating effect on black men:

• They were separated from their families for long periods.
• They faced sickness and death due to poor conditions.
• The stress led to mental and emotional tolls.
• They lost power and became oppressed, sparking resistance and protests.

The Mineral Revolution brought riches for some, but for many others, it brought hardship and a loss of freedom.

Key Dates to Remember

• 1867: Diamonds discovered in Kimberley.
• 1886: Gold discovered in Witwatersrand, Johannesburg born.
• 1885: Closed compounds introduced.
• 1910: Union of South Africa formed.
• 1912: African National Congress (ANC) formed.
• 1913: Land Act passed.

These dates are key to understanding how the search for gold shaped the future of South Africa.

Quick Quiz Time!

Before we wrap up, let’s test your knowledge!

1. What was the Mineral Revolution and how did it affect South Africa?
2. Why were closed compounds created for black workers?
3. How were white miners treated differently than black miners?
4. Who benefited the most from the gold rush?

One Thing I Learned

History can be tough to understand, but learning about how gold and diamonds transformed South Africa helps us understand the struggles that led to segregation and the fight for equality.

Remember, history helps us understand our present—the impact of the Mineral Revolution is still felt today.

💡 Stay curious, keep learning, and let’s explore the next chapter in South Africa’s history!