1. Topic 4 – The mineral revolution in SA
Grade 8 – HSS
Term 2

2. Unit 1 -Britain, Diamond mining, labour control and land expansion
Diamonds found in SA
Kimberley diamond rush
British show interest
Look for cheap labour

3. Increasing control over black workers
Britain had major stake in the Kimberley mines (Cecil J Rhodes & De Beers)
Relied initially on the migrant labour systems (people who leave home to find work) = cheap labour
This proved unreliable so mine owners look for ways to control & hold black Africans = closed compounds
Type of accommodation for migrant workers
Hostels located in a fenced area
4-6 men occupy a small space (basic bathroom facilities)
Use to come and go as they pleased, 15 years later = closed compound
Reduce diamond theft
Disciplined labour force – operate machinery
Fulltime workplace supervision

5. Closed compound Overcrowded, dirty & unhealthy
Badly built (often had no windows or light)
Slept on cement beds, no privacy
Rations were meagre
High death rate
Contract work = could not leave until done

6. Migrant labour Africans journeyed far to work on the mines
From 1872 migrant labour controlled by a pass system (form of identification)
Access to firearms curbed, tighter controls from 1885 onwards
Migrant workers worked for low wages & contracted for a time period.

7. Migrant labour & land disposition
Pass system
Xhosa wars / cape Fronteir Wars = 9 wars in the Eastern Cape
First 3 wars between trek Boers & Xhosa (cattle raiding)
Xhosas also resented missionaries for trying to destroy Xhosa culture
British brought 1820 settlers and military presence.
Gcaleka (xhosa kingdom)