The tin mines of the Waterberg (Transvaal), 1905 - 1914.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Van 1905 tot 1914 is tin in die Transvaalse distrik Waterberg veral by Rooiberg, Zaaiplaats en Union Tin ontgin. Die klem in hierdie artikel val op Rooiberg wat die algemene toestand op al drie myne weerspieël. Weens hul afgesonderdheid en die wisselvalligheid van tinneerslae het die myne dit uiters moeilik gevind om geskoolde en ongeskoolde werkkrag te werf en te behou. Afgesien van ingevoerde arbeiders (soos Chinese en Herero's) het die tinmaatskappye armblankes in diens geneem om hul ongeskoolde arbeiderskorps aan te vul. Dit het gelei tot die buitengewone sosiaal-ekonomiese toestande wat in die artikel onder die loep geneem word.

• Summary: Tin mining in the Transvaal district of the Waterberg between 1905 and 1914 occurred mainly at Rooiberg, Zaaiplaats and Union Tin. The focus of this article is on Rooiberg, which reflects the general conditions experienced in all three mining centres. Problems such as the remoteness of the mines and the unpredictable nature of the tin deposits contributed to the difficulties of drawing and maintaining the skilled and unskilled labour force required. Apart from imported labourers (such as Chinese and Hereros), the tin mining companies employed poor whites to supplement their unskilled labour force. This gave rise to the unusual set of socio-economic conditions which are explored in this article.