Die vestiging en uitbouing van munisipale bestuur en voorstedelike ontwikkeling in Vereeniging tot 1992

Abstract

The establishment and development of municipal governance and suburban growth of Vereeniging till 1992 have not previously been submitted to scientific research. The aim of this study was therefore to determine which factors led to the foundation, development and expansion of Vereeniging. The town developed because of the discovery of coal in 1878. With the passage of time the character of the town changed. The availability of mineral and water sources enabled Vereeniging to become an ideal central place for the establishment of industries in the secondary production sector. Within a limited period of time, the town turned into a secondary industrial centre and could eventually be referred to as an industrial giant. This could mainly be contributed to the outbreak of the two world wars. Vereeniging was in a position to adhere to the quest for specific war needs. This led to a prolonged tendency of growth. Economic development decreased after the world wars but reached an all time low during the eighties. Despite this, Vereeniging remained the most important urban centre in the Vaal Triangle. Since the founding of the town in 1892, local government evolved spontaneously. The upgrading of the status of local government took place in accordance with Vereeniging's economic growth. In 1926 Vereeniging already had a town council. By 1992, the centenary year, Vereeniging was classified as a metropolitan area. Future development is based on substantial town planning and economical stimuli. It was the task of the local government to supply services to the ever growing population. This was done in partnership with the main landowner, actively involved in suburban development, Vereeniging Estates. By the time this process was taking place in 1939, areas consisting of agricultural small holdings had already developed around the urban area, on private initiative. The shortage of land for suburban development became problematic. This resulted in a Vereeniging which developed showing an irregular suburban settlement pattern, due to a lack of planning for the future. During the apartheid years Vereeniging almost became a homogenous white town. The relationship between the council and especially the black people, deteriorated rapidly. Vereeniging developed as a model apartheid city, an image which would be hard to shed in a new dispensation.