Pieter Jacob Marais' search for gold in the Transvaal.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Op 7 Oktober 1853 het die prospekteerder-avonturier P.J. Marais sy eerste goudontdekking naby die samevloeiing van die Krokodil- en Jukskeirivier in Transvaal aangeteken. Hierdie artikel gee ‘n oorsig van die roete wat hy gevolg het van Potchefstroom af tot by die Magaliesberge waar hy sy belangrike vonds gemaak het. Hoewel redelik sketsmatig, werp sy verhaal tog 'n blik op die kontrei waardeur hy gereis en mense wat hy ontmoet het.• Summary: On 7 October 1853 the prospector and adventurer P.J. Marais documented his first discovery of gold near the confluence of the Crocodile and Jukskei Rivers in the Transvaal. This article outlines his route from Potchefstroom to the Magaliesberge where he made his important discovery. Although his story is quite sketchy, Marais still succeeds in giving an impression of the country through which he travelled, as well as the people he met.