3."THE MINERAL REVOLUTION BEGINNING FROM 1860'S REMAINS BY FAR THE MOST REACHING CHANGE IN SOUTH AFRICA" DISCUSS.

3."THE MINERAL REVOLUTION BEGINNING FROM 1860'S REMAINS BY FAR THE MOST REACHING CHANGE IN SOUTH AFRICA" DISCUSS.

• Define mineral revolution give minerals discovered
• Show how the mineral discovery brought about changes.
• Note that there were other revolutions in South Africa and give their impacts.
Background
Note that despite those revolutions and their effects, the impacts of mineral revolution remain by far the most great one in terms of magnitude thus giving the positive outstanding effects not forgetting to criticize some of them where necessary, hence negative effects should not be undermined then conclude, emphasizing the great importance of the mineral revolution in the history of south Africa.
Basis of argument
1. Before the discovery and exploitation of minerals in South Africa a number of revolutions had taken place in South Africa i.e. the Great trek, the Mfecane, N goni migration and then mineral revolution
2. However, a critical analysis of the prior revolutions in South Africa, their effects were not far reaching as compared to mineral discovery i.e.
3. The great trek affected Africans in South Africa as follows;
4. Loss of land by Africans, creation of Boer states, opened up the interior of South Africa, detribalization and landlessness of black community, loss of independence by Africans among others.
5. Mfecane affected Africans in the following ways, depopulation, cultural transformation, military transformation, emergency of great African leaders like Mzilikazi, Shoshangane and the respective states etc.
6. The other revolution was that of Ngoni migration which carne as a result
the Mfecane and basically had no effects in South Africa but only in Central and East Africa.
NB. The above changes, despite of their effects both positive and negative, their magnitude were almost incomparable to the effects of the mineral revolution.
7. Among the minerals discovered were diamond and gold discovered in 1867 and 1886 at Kimberly and Witwatersrand respectively.
8.The situation in South Africa before the discovery of minerals was characterized by the following; Africans were politically independent, militarily strong, economically had mixed economies, cattle herders and relied on raiding iron working, socially Africans were integrated into their own traditional culture and religious beliefs.
NB; The mineral revolution was however by far the Most Far reaching change
in South Africa due to changes below;
9. Development of towns, small towns grew into large cities e.g. Johannesburg, Pretoria, East London, Kimberley etc.
10. Improvement of communication lines to link mines to major towns and the coast e.g. roads, railways, airports etc. these were formerly non-existent
11. There was an increment in South Africa's population due to the influx of whites attracted by the lucrative activity.
12. Africans changed their mode of employment from traditional subsistence practices and engaged in mines as miners.
13. Due to growth of towns and industries, there was an abrupt rural-urban migration in search of employment and better facilities, socially, Africans were detached from their cultural values and social ties became loose.
14. There was development of shanty towns and slums due to urban over-population and this resulted into increased social distress, crimes, prostitution etc.
15. The African culture which had been preserved was eroded and the Africans adopted the Europeans culture, language, religion and style of life e.g. dressing.
16. Due to the fact that the able bodied people flocked to mines and towns for employment, only old and weak ones were the ones left in the villages, these were unproductive, there was general, decline of African agricultural production culminating into famine, death and depopulation of Africans,
17. On the other hand, due to increased population and urban centres, there was increased demand for food stuffs and the Europeans grabbed the chance to improve and increase agricultural production
18. Due to sudden growth of industries pollution came as a result leading to its well known effects.
19. Due to increased income, banks were set up to boost the country's economy.
20. Economically Africans lost their fertile and agriculturally productive lands to white settlers. They were left to occupy barren areas and others were pushed into 'reserves'.
21. Politically too, the Africans lost their independence.
22. The discovery of minerals and the European efforts to colonize the area resulted into open wars (e.g. the Shona).
23. Ndebele rebellion) and death of African strong leaders (e.g. Lubengula).
24. The Boers who were earlier militarily strong lost to the British.
25. The discovery minerals too pulled the British to the interior who were previously only at the coast