THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORICAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL STUDIES

NAME : REGINA CHANDA

COMPUTER NO. : 18053192

LECTURER : NALUMINO NAMWANYI

CODE : HIS 9310

ASSIGNMENT: TWO (2)

DUE DATE : 11/04/2022

QUESTION: The discovery of diamond and gold

by the whites was a blessing and a curse to the
Africans in southern Africa. Discuss.

STATE LOGDE SECONDARY SCHOOL

P.O BOX 50498
LUSAKA
CELL: 0979652500
Before the discovery of minerals South Africa was in great political tensions for group
dominance. The entire Highveld was divided and the endemic conflicts between Vaal and orange
rivers. The discovery of minerals brought massive rapid economic development. The first
mineral to be discovered was diamond at the confluence of the Hartz and Vaal rivers in 1867,
and gold in 1886, at Witwatersrand. This changed the whole history of South Africa. This
benefited the country and its entire people. It is of this reason this paper will state the benefits of
the country and later how the people too benefited from minerals.

There are several benefits to the country and some of them are economic, infrastructure,
urbanization, financial, transportation and communication to mention a few. The discovery of
diamonds and gold transformed the country from poverty-stricken to wealth. This attracted many
people from Europe who came to South Africa. The country was now on the world map because
of the precious minerals.1 This brought industrialization in a country that was not there. There
was urbanization, for instance, Kimberly became the second, biggest city after Cape Town. It
became fruitful and many industries were opened. The diamond and good was the greatest bell
that was heard beyond South Africa. This whole country, for instance, shared economic fortunes
and this enabled the country stability in its economy in southern Africa. Furthermore, the
economic stability enabled the country to attract both local and international visitors. Thousands
of people trekked to South Africa because of the diamond and gold. People for resistance were
reunited after the discovery of diamonds and gold.2

The country benefited from financial stability and improved standard of living. For instance,
financial stability more schools, hospitals and clinics were built. Its financial stability enabled the
construction of railway lines. This improved the transportation system that was a major problem
in the country.3 These developments were a benefit to the country. For instance, with funds
obtained from diamonds and gold, South Africa became the first country in the northern
hemisphere to have the whole town street lights in Kimberly. 4 This was the major benefit to the
country and many Universities were built. Presently, South Africa is the only country with many
Universities in Southern Africa. Its financial stability is strong and has managed to reach
1
Clark Nancy, “South Africa: Mineral Revolution and its Effects,” Shanguhyia M and Falola T. (Eds), The Palgrave
Handbook of African Colonial and Postcolonial History (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018), 345.
2
Nancy, “South Africa: Mineral Revolution and its Effects,”350.
3
T. Davenport, South Africa: A Modern History (ohannesburg: Macmillan, 1987), 7.
4
Davenport, South Africa: A Modern History, 8.

1
international standard. For instance, in 2010, it hosted the world cup for the first time on the
African soil.5

Thirdly, the country boasts with infrastructures. The standards of infrastructures found in South
Africa are of western world. These infrastructures transformed the country from primitive to
modern world and these developments came as a result of diamond and gold. For instance, in
1871, seventy-three miles of railway line was constructed. The availability of funds, John Cecil
Rhodes wanted to establish the Cape to Cairo railway line. This benefited the country to
transport both import and exports. This went to the extension of telegraphs wires that made
communication easy. Roads and bridges as well were constructed and this entirely enabled the
country to develop because minerals.6

The other benefit to the country it became a prosperous nation in many activities, for example
tourism facilities that creates employment and business opportunities for the community.
Diamond and gold helped to transform South Africa from poverty to wealth and that is a benefit
as a country. These benefits were also benefited by all people in South Africa.7

The diamonds and gold, firstly, created employment to the locals. Many people rushed to the
mines to look for employment. Most of the people were employed because of demand for labour.
The jobless South Africans were employed in the mines to dig diamond. The diamond industry
opened many industries that have tremendously employed thousands of people. All able-bodies
men without wasting time found employment. 8 Their salaries came from mineral funds. For
instance, 1936, large amount of money was channeled to salaries and wages. This point out that
large percentage benefitted the people. The standard of living changed, people were able to buy
what they desired from salaries. For instance, when returning home, they went with new things
for their families.9

Additionally, the unskilled South Africans, developed skills, and these were personal skills. The
industry also employed many people in mining, sorting valuing, cutting and jewelry
manufacturing. South Africans found employment in all these areas. This employment was as

5
G.W.D. Kieweit, A History of Southern Africa, Social and Economic (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1950), 78.
6
Kieweit, A History of Southern Africa, Social and Economic, 80.
7
Kieweit, A History of Southern Africa, Social and Economic, 81.
8
B.M. Magubane, The Political Economy of Race and Class in South Africa (Cape Town: South Africa, 1966), 76.
9
Magubane, The Political Economy of Race and Class in South Africa, 77.

2
result of diamond that entirely benefited all South Africans. Outside employment they benefited
from agriculture.10

The diamonds and gold improved agriculture, from peasant farmers to commercial farmers. Due
to population increase, there was high demand to supply foodstuff. The area around Kimberly
people became commercial farmers. The market was created for selling food stuffs. Farmers and
non-farmers enjoyed foodstuffs. Thousands of people where happy because of the market.11

The third benefit to the people was education. The availability of funds schools were constructed.
This was to improve the education sector. For instance, many South Africans have been
sponsored for their education abroad. The money comes from diamond and gold. Various
training programs have been offered to empower people, and presently, South Africans are
benefiting a lot from diamond and gold funds. 12 For example, there free scholarships at oxford
university for the South Africans because of diamond and gold. This benefits the people and the
country has managed to educate its people about HIV/AIDS information using funds from
minerals. More universities have been built because of the diamond and gold. People enjoy
university services and many have acquired university education. For instance, in southern
Africa, it is South Africa that has more universities and people have benefited.13

Furthermore, gold contributed more to education in South Africa. The education was
transformed from primitive to modern education. For instance, it is the beacon of education in
southern Africa. Most of people have acquired proper education because of funds from
minerals.14

The other benefit to the people is healthcare. Millions of people from diamond funds receive
good healthcare. The government has taken measures to ensure that all the people benefit from
diamond and good funds. Hospitals and clinics have been built, and have enough medicine. 15
Health facilities have been improved and the medication is an, indirect benefit to the people.
Those working in mines gets salaries, while those not working enjoy the funds through

10
Leo Marguard, The Story of South Africa (London: Faber Ltd 24 Russel Square, 1954), 34.
11
Marguard, The Story of South Africa, 33.
12
Marguard, The Story of South Africa, 35.
13
S. Marks, Industrialization and Social Change in South Africa (London: Longman, 1982), 70.
14
Marks, Industrialization and Social Change in South Africa, 73.
15
S. Marks, Economy and Society in Pre-Industrial South Africa (Harlow: Longman, 1985), 99.

3
treatment. It is a fact that the diamond and good funds has been equitably shared by the people in
South Africa. There have medicine in hospitals, because of mineral funds. This has helped
curbing the pandemic HIV/AIDS in the country. It is a fact people in South Africa has entirely
benefited from mineral funds. It is the heart of southern Africa countries rely in terms of healthy
facilities.16

Addition, South Africa is the most developed and most of southern African countries rely on
South Africa for healthcare. For instance, recently, a student at the University of Zambia who
had a broken back borne was taken to South Africa for treatment. This means that healthcare
goes beyond South Africa. The country to present has good health facilities to its people and
outside. This is entirely a great benefit to the South Africans as they do not travel abroad for
treatment.17

In general the country and its people have entirely benefited from diamond and gold funds.
These benefits go beyond materially, socially, politically, economically and physical spheres of
society. Presently, because of diamond and gold, the country has managed to preserve its
heritage.18 These preservations have become tourist attraction. For instance, there are two world
heritage sites (Mapungubwe and Sterkfontein caves). These bring foreign exchange to the
country. Revenue collected from these sites helps the country in many ways. Sources for these
world heritage sites come from diamond and gold. There are various activities and projects, for
instances, there is a community based natural resources management and heritage, and a major
education initiative to support children.19 All funds comes from diamond and gold. South Africa
and its people have highly benefited from the diamond and gold. It is known beyond Africa and
all the people are enjoying the benefits from diamond and gold.20

However, the discovery of diamond and gold was the greatest curse in southern Africa. There
was massive population increase that led to unemployment. As a result, of that people had no
money to pay for their accommodations. This led to shanty compounds which were health

16
Marks, Economy and Society in Pre-Industrial South Africa, 99.
17
A. McKenna, The History of Southern Africa (New York: Britannica Educational Publishing, 2011), 78.
18
McKenna, The History of Southern Africa, 80.
19
McKenna, The History of Southern Africa, 81.
20
J.D. Omer – Cooper, History of Southern Africa (Ended) (Heinemann: Heinemann, 1994), 145.

4
hazards because there was no proper sanitation. People were living like animals. This resulted to
the outbreak of contagious diseases such as cholera, dysentery and others.21

Southern Africa became under developed because able bodied men rushed to the mining area and
henceforth, agriculture was affected. This caused great starvation and famine in South Africa.
This caused tremendous suffering to the people in southern Africa because of the discovery of
diamond and gold. People suffered as they had no enough food and money to buy food.22

Furthermore, there was family breaking up. Married men left their homes and stayed for many
years without returning back home. As a result of that, married women went back to their
parents. This was a curse because before minerals were discovered, men stayed together with
their families.23

Diamond and gold were a blessing and curse in southern Africa. The blessings were that
infrastructure was improved and railways were constructed. The financial stability changed.
Employment was created and many found jobs. People who were unskilled became skillful and
health care was improved. The agriculture sector was also improved as people wanted to sell
their products to the miners. It improved from peasant to commercial as there was high demand.
New markets were opened and thus people enjoyed selling their products. Health facilities were
improved because of money from the diamond and gold. Many hospitals and clinics were built
with enough medicine. The country has managed to prepare its heritage and become the
destination of tourism in southern Africa.24

In summary, the discovery diamonds and gold were at the same time the greatest curse to the
people of southern Africa. Its negative effects were population increase, unemployment, under
developed shanty compounds and family breaking ups. Population increase caused
unemployment that led to shanty compounds that led to health hazards. Able bodied men went to
the mines leaving their wives who could not manage to handle family issues. This led to family
break ups as they stayed for many years without their men returning back. All in all, the
diamonds had the positive and negative effects to the people in Southern Africa.

21
Erick Walker A History of Southern Africa (Longman: Longman Group Ltd, 1968), 345.
22
Walker A History of Southern Africa, 347.
23
Walker A History of Southern Africa, 348.
24
Walker A History of Southern Africa, 349.

5
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Davenport, T. South Africa: A Modern History. Johannesburg: Macmillan, 1987.

Kieweit, G.W.D. A History of Southern Africa, Social and Economic. Oxford University Press,
1950.

Magubane, B.M. The Political Economy of Race and Class in South Africa. Cape Town, 1966.

Marguard, Leo. The Story of South Africa. Faber Ltd 24 Russel Square, London, 1954.

Marks, S. Industrialization and Social Change in South Africa. London: Longman, 1982.

Marks, S. Economy and Society in Pre-Industrial South Africa. Harlow: Longman, 1985.

McKenna, A. The History of Southern Africa. New York: Britannica Educational Publishing,
2011.

Nancy, Clark. “South Africa: Mineral Revolution and its Effect.” Shanguhyia M and Falola T.
(Eds). The Palgrave Handbook of African Colonial and Postcolonial History. New York:
Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, 345-360.

Omer – Cooper, J.D. History of Southern Africa (Ended). Heinemann: Heinemann, 1994.

Walker Erick. A History of Southern Africa. Longman: Longman Group Ltd, 1968.