Maatskaplike toestande op die Lichtenburgse alluviale diamantdelwerye, 1926 - 1945.

Abstract

• Opsomming: In Mei 1926 is die eerste spoeldelwerye in die distrik Lichtenburg geprokIameer en daarna - tot en met 1945 - 'n verdere 104. Nuus omtrent die ontdekking van ryk diamantvelde noord van die dorp het vinnig versprei en teen die einde van 1926 was duisende beroepsdelwers, fortuinsoekers en blanke en swart arbeiders met bulle gesinne reeds op die delwerye saamgetrek. Die meeste delwers was verarmde blankes wat tevergeefs gehoop bet om hul ekonomiese posisie maklik en vinnig te verbeter. As gevolg van die ernstige depressie, die gepaardgaande insinking in die diamantbedryf en die feit dat die diamantdraende gruis gou uitgewerk is, het die Lichtenburgse delwers tot so 'n mate verarm dat die staat en welsynsorganisasies moes ingryp om voedsel aan hulpbehoewendes te skenk en ander bystand aan bulle te verleen. Omdat aanvanklik geglo is dat die delwerye se bestaan van korte duur sou wees, was die owerheid en Transvaalse Provinsiale Administrasie nie juis gretig om geld aan openbare dienste te bestee nie. Die haglike maatskaplike toestande op die delwerye het egter mettertyd dringende optrede genoodsaak en gevolglik is gesondheids- en onderwysgeriewe geskep. Gedurende 1927 het die kosmopolitiese delweryegemeenskap reeds oor kerke, skole, besigheidsentrums, polisiekantore, bioskope, poskantore, ontspanningsgeriewe en 'n hospitaal beskik. Soos in enige ander gemeenskap is daar gewerk, ontspan, deelgeneem aan geestelike aktiwiteite, handel gedryf en misdaad gepleeg. Lewensomstandighede op die delwerye was geensins rooskleurig nie. Die armoede wat daar geheers het, was duidelik sigbaar in die klein, ongerieflike sinkhuisies, kleihutte en sakkaias van die delwers en hul arbeiders. Higiëniese toestande was swak en het tot die uitbreek van allerlei siektes aanleiding gegee. Ten spyte van hierdie probleme was die delwersgemeenskap skynbaar tog relatief gelukkig en tevrede.

• Summary: In May 1926 the first alluvial diggings were proclaimed in the Lichtenburg district. Thereafter, up to 1945, a further 104 followed suit. News of the discovery of the rich diamond fields north of the town, spread quickly and by the end of 1926 thousands of professional diggers, fortune hunters and impoverished white and black labourers with their families had congregated at the diggings. Most of the diggers were poor whites who had vainly hoped to improve their economic plight in an easy and quick way. The serious depression with its concomitant collapse of the diamond industry and the fact that the diamond-bearing gravel was soon exhausted, further impoverished the diggers in such a way that the state and welfare organisations were forced to provide food and other assistance. Since it was initially believed that the Lichtenburg diggings would not last long, the government and the Transvaal Provincial Administration were reluctant to spend money on public works. The poor social conditions on the diggings eventually led to a need for drastic action and therefore health and educational facilities were provided. During 1927 the cosmopolitan community at the diggings already boasted churches, schools, business centres, police stations, cinemas, post offices, recreational facilities, and a hospital. As in any other settlement people worked, relaxed, participated in religious activities, carried on business, and committed crimes. Life on the diggings was anything but rosy and the poverty which prevailed there was reflected by the small, uncomfortable corrugated iron houses and huts of mud or sacking of the diggers and their labourers. The poor hygienic conditions led to the outbreak of various diseases, but in spite of these problems the diggers' community seemed to be a relatively happy and content one.