The Witwatersrand

gold rush
BY JACQUES LE VIEUX
What was it?

 The Witwatersrand Gold Rush was a gold rush that began in 1886 and
led to the establishment of Johannesburg, South Africa. It was a part of
the Mineral Revolution.
The Witwatersrand gold rush

Origins

 In the modern-day province of Mpumalanga, gold miners in

the alluvial mines of Barberton and Pilgrim's Rest and local tribes had
suspected the existence of gold deposits. In 1886, gold was found in
the Witwatersrand region. Scientific studies show that the "Golden Arc",
which stretches from Johannesburg to Welkom, used to be a massive
inland lake, and silt and gold deposits from alluvial gold settled in the area
that formed the found gold.
The first discovery

 The first discovery of gold in the region was made in 1852 on the
Pardekraal farm, Krugersdorp, in the South African Republic (ZAR) by
John Henry Davis, a Welsh mineralogist. Davis presented his gold find to
President Andries Pretorius but feared what would happen to the new
republic if the discovery became widely known. Davis was told to sell the
gold, worth £600, to the Transvaal Treasury and was subsequently
ordered to leave the country and escorted to the border, where he
returned to the Cape Colony.
How?
 In the late 19th century the Witwatersrand gold rush in Johannesburg
largely influenced Afrikaans nationalism in South Africa. The discovery
of gold in this region attracted people from across the country and
around, seeking fortune and economic opportunities. This rush and
Johannesburg's development as a major mining town had significant
implications for Afrikaans nationalism.

 Such as…
Economic empowerment

 The gold rush resulted in substantial economic growth and development in the
region. Afrikaners, who had been belittled by British rule and the dominance of
English-speaking commercial interests, seized the opportunity to participate in the
mining industry. Many Afrikaners, previously predominantly rural farmers,
migrated to the Witwatersrand in search of employment and economic prosperity.
The newfound economic success and wealth generated by the mining industry
helped to foster a sense of pride and confidence among Afrikaners.
Politics

 The gold rush and the power that came with it gave rise to a sense of political
awakening and assertiveness with Afrikaners. As they gathered wealth and power,
Afrikaners wanted to protect their interests and assert their political rights. This
led to the formation of political organizations such as the National Party (founded
in 1914), which advocated for Afrikaner interests and eventually played a central
role in the establishment of apartheid policies in South Africa.
Conclusion

Overall, the Witwatersrand gold rush played a huge role in

shaping Afrikaans nationalism. It provided economic
opportunities that empowered Afrikaners, created a higher
sense of cultural identity, and contributed to the creation
of a political Afrikaner community that saw to protect its
interests in South Africa.
THANK YOU