Krugersdorp, Gauteng
Encyclopedia
Krugersdorp is a mining city with between 378,821 and 408,065 inhabitants in the West Rand
of the Gauteng
province of South Africa
. Krugersdorp was founded in 1887 by Marthinus Pretorius
and named after Paul Kruger
.
Apart from gold
, manganese
, iron
, asbestos
and lime
are also mined in the area. Krugersdorp is the site of the December 1880 gathering at which more than 6,000 men vowed to fight for the Transvaal
's independence. When gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand
, a need arose for a major town in the west of the reef. The government bought part of the farm Paardekraal and named the new town after the Transvaal President Paul Kruger
. The British
built a concentration camp here during the Second Boer War to house Boer
women and children.
In 1952 the West Rand Consolidated Mine was the first in the world to extract uranium
as a byproduct of the gold refining process.
Krugersdorp no longer has a separate municipal government, and the municipality has become part of and is the seat of the Mogale City
municipality, along with surrounding towns. Despite a proposal to change the name of the city to Mogale City, this has not been confirmed and the town is currentley still called Krugersdorp.
Krugersdorp was named after President Paul Kruger of Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. It played an important part in South African history and came into being because of two important events in the history of South Africa: the Transvaal War of Independence (1881) and the discovery of the Witwatersrand Goldfields (1886). These events had far-reaching political and economic consequences in South Africa's development.
By the time the town was founded, the existence of the gold reef along the Witwatersrand was well established and thousands seeking their fortunes pitched their tents and pegged their claims. In 1888, Krugersdorp was proclaimed a separate gold field.
Krugersdorp offers visitors all the benefits of a city, with a modern business centre and shopping malls alongside many smaller shops, schools, all the necessary amenities, as well as game reserves and a nearby bird sanctuary.
Krugersdorp has the Jack Taylor Airfield and is easily accessible from Pretoria, the R28/N14 highway, Johannesburg, OR Thambo International Airport, the N1 highway, and Lanseria International Airport on the R511.
The nearby 1 400 hectare game reserve in dense bushveld with plenty of game is one of the town's major tourist attractions. Also in close proximity are various national monuments and the Cradle of Humankind with the Sterkfontein Caves and the Wonder Cave.
Krugersdorp is also home to the South African Branch of Jehovah's Witnesses (The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society).
In 2010 the town's Cornonation Park area received international exposure, for the depiction of Afrikaner poverty by Finbarr O'Reilly
.
Kagiso was officially proclaimed in 1920 when ex-miners and squatters on smallholdings on the outskirts of Luipaardsvlei erected the first corrugated iron houses. By 1950, there were about 3 436 people in the Luipaardsvlei Township, an area of only 47 morgen, until another new township - Lewisham - was laid out to the south-east of Krugersdorp.
Many languages are spoken by the people who live in Kagiso, such as Tswana, Northern Sotho, South Sotho, Xhosa, Zulu, Tsonga and Venda. There is a lot of migration into the area from the rural areas, with people seeking work in nearby Krugersdorp and Chamdor. Some people who live in Kagiso travel to Johannesburg for work.
There are 15 primary schools and six secondary schools in the area. There is also an adult centre, which aids people wanting to improve their education. Kagiso also has a library, which has a reference section as well as a children's library. There are three formal crèches and about 50 informal crèches in Kagiso.
Recreational facilities in the area include a multipurpose sports centre, which has a cricket pitch, soccer fields, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
The health needs of people in the area is catered for by the Leratong Hospital. There are two clinics in the area and a mobile clinic operates in the township as well.
Kagiso has produced many outstanding men and women, one of them being the Reverend Dr Frank Chikane, the former secretary general of the South African Council of Churches and a former director-general in the President's Office.
. It grew out of the informal settlements inhabited by mine labourers on the outskirts of the original mining town of Krugersdorp.
The story of Munsieville began on 15 December 1905, when it was gazetted that the piece of land to the north west of Krugersdorp near District Township was to be used as a 'native location'. It was, however, only in 1911 that the New Donation (as it was then called) was officially established by the Municipal Council, and all blacks not living on their employers' premises had to be resident there.
In 1913 a housing plan, based on one already in existence in Benoni, was formulated. It made provision for two and three-bedroomed houses costing about 20 pounds a room to build, and an 18-room compound. By 1923, about 220 males, 262 females and 325 children were living in 119 houses in the 'location'.
In 1934, standpipes (taps at the corners of the street from which residents could draw their water) and central wash houses were in use in the area, and one year later it was necessary to extend the New Location. The Old Location, which had been located near the present-day Burgershoop, was disestablished in 1937 and a new sub-economic housing scheme, including sewerage, guttering, curbing and three- and four-roomed houses, was begun to accommodate the now overcrowded new one.
At a monthly council meeting in 1941, it was unanimously agreed to change the township's name to Munsieville, after the chief sanitary inspector at the time, James Munsie. He is remembered for the tremendous amount he did in the interest of the town's health.
Years later the current township of Munsieville was demarcated and formal township housing was erected.
Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Desmond Tutu lived in Munsieville from the age of age. His father was headmaster of St Paul's Anglican Mission School where young Mpilo began his education. Tutu was later a schoolteacher at Munsieville School before he joined the priesthood.
Tutu and his wife Leah married in a Roman Catholic Church in Munsieville. He recalls: "That church was razed to the ground along with many residential buildings because Munsieville was doomed to be demolished. It was an aberration; a black spot in what should have been a lily-white area. Munsieville was reprieved only by the intervention of Leon Wessels, the Nationalist MP for Krugersdorp, who later apologised handsomely for apartheid. He was to become Deputy Chair of the Constituent Assembly that gave us our wonderful Constitution."
Tutu's childhood home can be visited, as can other 'exile' houses.
Talented local women have formed the Mukondeleli Craft Suppliers and their beadwork, clay pots and quilting are on view here. Vibey taverns and sophisticated shebeens abound.
Munsieville has always had a vibrant social culture and was on the forefront of political activism during the struggle against apartheid. Today, residents enjoy better facilities and modern services.
One of the traditions that remain is the culture of children playing in the streets, which was a result of there being no sporting or recreational facilities. Apart from the ever-popular soccer games, one can also witness the children's traditional African games.
The townspeople of Munsieville are friendly and eager to please. Hospitality and bright smiles greet visitors. Most of the residents work in the commercial sector and are also employed as public servants.
.
Provincial Hospitals
Private Hospitals
and many more.
Krugersdorp also boasts an 18-hole golf course and Many Extreme Sport Facilities.
Afro Pop Sensation Mafikizolo and Nthando are also successful acts that come from Krugersdorp.
West Rand District Municipality
The West Rand District Municipality is one of the districts of Gauteng province of South Africa, that covers the West Rand area, with the exception of Roodepoort. The seat of the district municipality is Randfontein. The most spoken language of its 744 168 people is Setswana...
of the Gauteng
Gauteng
Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...
province of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Krugersdorp was founded in 1887 by Marthinus Pretorius
Marthinus Wessel Pretorius
The son of the famous Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius, Marthinus Wessel Pretorius was the first president of the South African Republic, and also compiled the constitution of the Republic....
and named after Paul Kruger
Paul Kruger
Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger , better known as Paul Kruger and affectionately known as Uncle Paul was State President of the South African Republic...
.
Apart from gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
, manganese
Manganese
Manganese is a chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. It has the atomic number 25. It is found as a free element in nature , and in many minerals...
, iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
, asbestos
Asbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
and lime
Lime (mineral)
Lime is a general term for calcium-containing inorganic materials, in which carbonates, oxides and hydroxides predominate. Strictly speaking, lime is calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. It is also the name for a single mineral of the CaO composition, occurring very rarely...
are also mined in the area. Krugersdorp is the site of the December 1880 gathering at which more than 6,000 men vowed to fight for the Transvaal
South African Republic
The South African Republic , often informally known as the Transvaal Republic, was an independent Boer-ruled country in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century. Not to be confused with the present-day Republic of South Africa, it occupied the area later known as the South African...
's independence. When gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand
Witwatersrand
The Witwatersrand is a low, sedimentary range of hills, at an elevation of 1700–1800 metres above sea-level, which runs in an east-west direction through Gauteng in South Africa. The word in Afrikaans means "the ridge of white waters". Geologically it is complex, but the principal formations...
, a need arose for a major town in the west of the reef. The government bought part of the farm Paardekraal and named the new town after the Transvaal President Paul Kruger
Paul Kruger
Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger , better known as Paul Kruger and affectionately known as Uncle Paul was State President of the South African Republic...
. The British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
built a concentration camp here during the Second Boer War to house Boer
Boer
Boer is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, which came to denote the descendants of the Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 18th century, as well as those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle in the Orange Free State,...
women and children.
In 1952 the West Rand Consolidated Mine was the first in the world to extract uranium
Uranium
Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...
as a byproduct of the gold refining process.
Krugersdorp no longer has a separate municipal government, and the municipality has become part of and is the seat of the Mogale City
Mogale City Local Municipality
Mogale City Local Municipality is a local municipality in West Rand District Municipality, Gauteng, in South Africa.According to the 2007 community survey, the municipality had 319,633 inhabitants of these 69,4% were black african, 25,1% white, 0,6% coloured and 4,9% asian...
municipality, along with surrounding towns. Despite a proposal to change the name of the city to Mogale City, this has not been confirmed and the town is currentley still called Krugersdorp.
Krugersdorp (Town)
With a population of more than 350 000, Krugersdorp is the industrial hub of Western Gauteng and was founded in 1887 by MW Pretorius when gold was discovered on his farm, Paardekraal. The mining industry has formed an integral part in the development of the town, which has a rich cultural and historical background.Krugersdorp was named after President Paul Kruger of Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. It played an important part in South African history and came into being because of two important events in the history of South Africa: the Transvaal War of Independence (1881) and the discovery of the Witwatersrand Goldfields (1886). These events had far-reaching political and economic consequences in South Africa's development.
By the time the town was founded, the existence of the gold reef along the Witwatersrand was well established and thousands seeking their fortunes pitched their tents and pegged their claims. In 1888, Krugersdorp was proclaimed a separate gold field.
Krugersdorp offers visitors all the benefits of a city, with a modern business centre and shopping malls alongside many smaller shops, schools, all the necessary amenities, as well as game reserves and a nearby bird sanctuary.
Krugersdorp has the Jack Taylor Airfield and is easily accessible from Pretoria, the R28/N14 highway, Johannesburg, OR Thambo International Airport, the N1 highway, and Lanseria International Airport on the R511.
The nearby 1 400 hectare game reserve in dense bushveld with plenty of game is one of the town's major tourist attractions. Also in close proximity are various national monuments and the Cradle of Humankind with the Sterkfontein Caves and the Wonder Cave.
Krugersdorp is also home to the South African Branch of Jehovah's Witnesses (The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society).
In 2010 the town's Cornonation Park area received international exposure, for the depiction of Afrikaner poverty by Finbarr O'Reilly
Finbarr O'Reilly
Finbarr O’Reilly is a Canadian photographer, who in February 2006 won the premier award of the 49th annual World Press Photo contest.-Background:...
.
Kagiso
About 190 000 people live in Kagiso, which means "peace". The area is subdivided into five different wards, with each having its own councillor.Kagiso was officially proclaimed in 1920 when ex-miners and squatters on smallholdings on the outskirts of Luipaardsvlei erected the first corrugated iron houses. By 1950, there were about 3 436 people in the Luipaardsvlei Township, an area of only 47 morgen, until another new township - Lewisham - was laid out to the south-east of Krugersdorp.
Many languages are spoken by the people who live in Kagiso, such as Tswana, Northern Sotho, South Sotho, Xhosa, Zulu, Tsonga and Venda. There is a lot of migration into the area from the rural areas, with people seeking work in nearby Krugersdorp and Chamdor. Some people who live in Kagiso travel to Johannesburg for work.
There are 15 primary schools and six secondary schools in the area. There is also an adult centre, which aids people wanting to improve their education. Kagiso also has a library, which has a reference section as well as a children's library. There are three formal crèches and about 50 informal crèches in Kagiso.
Recreational facilities in the area include a multipurpose sports centre, which has a cricket pitch, soccer fields, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
The health needs of people in the area is catered for by the Leratong Hospital. There are two clinics in the area and a mobile clinic operates in the township as well.
Kagiso has produced many outstanding men and women, one of them being the Reverend Dr Frank Chikane, the former secretary general of the South African Council of Churches and a former director-general in the President's Office.
Munsieville
Munsieville is the childhood home of Archbishop Desmond TutuDesmond Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu is a South African activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid...
. It grew out of the informal settlements inhabited by mine labourers on the outskirts of the original mining town of Krugersdorp.
The story of Munsieville began on 15 December 1905, when it was gazetted that the piece of land to the north west of Krugersdorp near District Township was to be used as a 'native location'. It was, however, only in 1911 that the New Donation (as it was then called) was officially established by the Municipal Council, and all blacks not living on their employers' premises had to be resident there.
In 1913 a housing plan, based on one already in existence in Benoni, was formulated. It made provision for two and three-bedroomed houses costing about 20 pounds a room to build, and an 18-room compound. By 1923, about 220 males, 262 females and 325 children were living in 119 houses in the 'location'.
In 1934, standpipes (taps at the corners of the street from which residents could draw their water) and central wash houses were in use in the area, and one year later it was necessary to extend the New Location. The Old Location, which had been located near the present-day Burgershoop, was disestablished in 1937 and a new sub-economic housing scheme, including sewerage, guttering, curbing and three- and four-roomed houses, was begun to accommodate the now overcrowded new one.
At a monthly council meeting in 1941, it was unanimously agreed to change the township's name to Munsieville, after the chief sanitary inspector at the time, James Munsie. He is remembered for the tremendous amount he did in the interest of the town's health.
Years later the current township of Munsieville was demarcated and formal township housing was erected.
Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Desmond Tutu lived in Munsieville from the age of age. His father was headmaster of St Paul's Anglican Mission School where young Mpilo began his education. Tutu was later a schoolteacher at Munsieville School before he joined the priesthood.
Tutu and his wife Leah married in a Roman Catholic Church in Munsieville. He recalls: "That church was razed to the ground along with many residential buildings because Munsieville was doomed to be demolished. It was an aberration; a black spot in what should have been a lily-white area. Munsieville was reprieved only by the intervention of Leon Wessels, the Nationalist MP for Krugersdorp, who later apologised handsomely for apartheid. He was to become Deputy Chair of the Constituent Assembly that gave us our wonderful Constitution."
Tutu's childhood home can be visited, as can other 'exile' houses.
Talented local women have formed the Mukondeleli Craft Suppliers and their beadwork, clay pots and quilting are on view here. Vibey taverns and sophisticated shebeens abound.
Munsieville has always had a vibrant social culture and was on the forefront of political activism during the struggle against apartheid. Today, residents enjoy better facilities and modern services.
One of the traditions that remain is the culture of children playing in the streets, which was a result of there being no sporting or recreational facilities. Apart from the ever-popular soccer games, one can also witness the children's traditional African games.
The townspeople of Munsieville are friendly and eager to please. Hospitality and bright smiles greet visitors. Most of the residents work in the commercial sector and are also employed as public servants.
Education
Krugersdorp is Home to Some of the best High Schools in GautengGauteng
Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...
.
- Krugersdorp High School (the top school in the district, and also the former school of the 2011 South African Idols winner, David van Vuuren)
- Town View High School
- Hoërskool Monument
- Hoërskool Jan De Klerk
- HTS Nic Diederichs
- St Ursula’s School
- Hoërskool Noordheuwel
- Ahmed Timol Secondary
- Hoërskool Bastion
Health care
Local Clinics- Central Clinic
- Kagiso Clinic B
- Azaadville Clinic
- Munsieville Clinic A
Provincial Hospitals
- Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital (Paardekraal)
- Sterkfontein Hospital
- Leratong Hospital
Private Hospitals
- Krugersdorp Private Hospital
- Bell Street Day Hospital
- Medi-Cross Clinic
Sports & Events
The Town is the Host of the Annual Gauteng Beach Party,which is held at Coronation Park.In Recent years the Event Has Featured Performances From:- MzekezekeMzekezekeSibusiso Leope , well known as Mzekezeke , or DJ Sbu is a South African kwaito artist....
aka Dj Sbu - Dj Cleo
- Winnie Khumalo
- T-bo Touch
- TKZee
- Brown Dash
and many more.
Krugersdorp also boasts an 18-hole golf course and Many Extreme Sport Facilities.
Music
Krugersdorp is the Hometown to Rapper Despi see http://www.despimusic.yolasite.com,who is also a member of Rap Group Mental Disorder.R&B Superstar Boki Nstime(Idols 6)who is a former highschool mate and close friend of Despi,is also notable resident.Afro Pop Sensation Mafikizolo and Nthando are also successful acts that come from Krugersdorp.
Name change
Although the city's municipality has changed name from Krugersdorp to Mogale City, some people have jumped the gun and have already assumed that the city's name has been changed to Mogale City. Despite being discussed, Mogale City municipality has announced that a name change is not going to happen.Current and Former Residents
- Nomvula MokonyaneNomvula MokonyaneNomvula Mokonyane is the Premier of Gauteng province, South Africa following the 2009 South African general election. She was formerly the Gauteng MEC for Housing and has been a member of the provincial legislature since 1994...
- Desmond TutuDesmond TutuDesmond Mpilo Tutu is a South African activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid...
- Nhlanhla Nciza
- Theo Kgosinkwe
- Ntando
- Mpho Gift Mahafha aka Despi
- Jaque FourieJaque FourieJaque Fourie is a South African rugby union footballer. He is a versatile backline player whose usual position is in the centres...
- Thabiso Boki Nstime