HSY2603
Assignment 5 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 29 May 2026
(Q1 & Q2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
QUESTION 1
Discuss the significance of the discovery of rich resources of diamonds and gold in
southern Africa between the 1860’s and the 1890’s.
1. Introduction
The discovery of diamonds in Kimberley during 1867 and gold on the Witwatersrand during
1886 transformed southern Africa economically, politically and socially.1
QUESTION 2
The South African War cannot be regarded as a “white man’s war”. Do you agree or
disagree? Discuss critically.
1. Introduction
The South African War from 1899 to 1902, also known as the Anglo-Boer War, is often
,QUESTION 1
Discuss the significance of the discovery of rich resources of diamonds and
gold in southern Africa between the 1860’s and the 1890’s.
1. Introduction
The discovery of diamonds in Kimberley during 1867 and gold on the Witwatersrand
during 1886 transformed southern Africa economically, politically and socially.1
Before mineral discoveries, most African societies depended on agriculture, cattle
farming and regional trade for survival and political stability.2 African communities
controlled large areas of land independently and maintained established systems of
leadership and production.3 The sudden growth of mining attracted thousands of
foreign investors, workers and settlers into the interior regions of southern Africa.
Mining rapidly replaced agriculture as the central economic activity and created new
industrial centres around Kimberley and Johannesburg.4 The Mineral Revolution also
strengthened British imperial expansion because control over mineral wealth
became politically important.^6 Mining companies introduced harsh labour systems
that relied heavily on cheap African labour and strict racial separation Early
segregation practices developed directly from labour controls created within the
mining industry during this period.5 These developments later shaped apartheid
structures that dominated South Africa during the twentieth century.
2. Economic Transformation
2.1 Shift from agriculture to an industrial economy
The discovery of diamonds and gold changed the economic structure of southern
Africa very quickly. Before this period, most economic activity was based on farming,
1
William Beinart and Peter Delius, The Mineral Revolution in South Africa: Making Diamonds and
Making Apartheid (London: Routledge, 2001), 12.
2
Francis Wilson and Leonard Thompson, The Oxford History of South Africa: South Africa 1870–
1966 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982), 35.
3
B.K. Mbenga, A. Manson and J.B. Peires, The New History of South Africa (Cape Town: Tafelberg,
2010), 88.
4
Martin Meredith, Diamonds, Gold and War: The British, the Boers and the Making of South Africa
(New York: PublicAffairs, 2007), 41.
5
W. Beinart and P. Delius, The Mineral Revolution in South Africa, p.
, cattle keeping and small-scale trade. Production was mainly for local use, and there
was limited large-scale industry.6
After diamonds were found in Kimberley, and later gold on the Witwatersrand, mining
became the centre of the economy. Large mining companies were formed, and
these required heavy machinery, skilled workers and large amounts of capital. This
marked the beginning of industrial development in South Africa.7
Gold mining, especially, needed deep-level mining techniques, which meant more
advanced technology and bigger financial investment. Because of this, small
individual miners were pushed out, and large companies took control of production.
This led to the rise of powerful mining houses that dominated the economy.8
2.2 Growth of infrastructure and supporting industries
The growth of mining created a strong need for infrastructure. Railways were built to
move minerals from inland mining areas to coastal ports. Roads and communication
systems such as telegraphs were also developed to support the industry.9
Cities like Kimberley and Johannesburg grew rapidly because of mining activities.
Johannesburg, in particular, developed from a small mining camp into a major city
within a short time. This urban growth shows how mining drove economic expansion
and settlement patterns.10
Other industries also developed to support mining. These included engineering,
banking and transport services. This helped to diversify the economy, although
mining remained the main driver of growth.
2.3 Integration into the global economy
The discovery of gold and diamonds linked southern Africa to the global economy.
Gold from the Witwatersrand became one of the largest sources of gold in the world.
This made South Africa very important in international trade and finance.11
6
W. Beinart and P. Delius, The Mineral Revolution in South Africa, p. 18.
7
M. Meredith, Diamonds, Gold and War, p. 42.
8
W. Beinart and P. Delius, p. 25.
9
M. Meredith, p. 55.
10
M. Meredith, p. 60.
11
W. Beinart and P. Delius, p. 30.
Assignment 5 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 29 May 2026
(Q1 & Q2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
QUESTION 1
Discuss the significance of the discovery of rich resources of diamonds and gold in
southern Africa between the 1860’s and the 1890’s.
1. Introduction
The discovery of diamonds in Kimberley during 1867 and gold on the Witwatersrand during
1886 transformed southern Africa economically, politically and socially.1
QUESTION 2
The South African War cannot be regarded as a “white man’s war”. Do you agree or
disagree? Discuss critically.
1. Introduction
The South African War from 1899 to 1902, also known as the Anglo-Boer War, is often
,QUESTION 1
Discuss the significance of the discovery of rich resources of diamonds and
gold in southern Africa between the 1860’s and the 1890’s.
1. Introduction
The discovery of diamonds in Kimberley during 1867 and gold on the Witwatersrand
during 1886 transformed southern Africa economically, politically and socially.1
Before mineral discoveries, most African societies depended on agriculture, cattle
farming and regional trade for survival and political stability.2 African communities
controlled large areas of land independently and maintained established systems of
leadership and production.3 The sudden growth of mining attracted thousands of
foreign investors, workers and settlers into the interior regions of southern Africa.
Mining rapidly replaced agriculture as the central economic activity and created new
industrial centres around Kimberley and Johannesburg.4 The Mineral Revolution also
strengthened British imperial expansion because control over mineral wealth
became politically important.^6 Mining companies introduced harsh labour systems
that relied heavily on cheap African labour and strict racial separation Early
segregation practices developed directly from labour controls created within the
mining industry during this period.5 These developments later shaped apartheid
structures that dominated South Africa during the twentieth century.
2. Economic Transformation
2.1 Shift from agriculture to an industrial economy
The discovery of diamonds and gold changed the economic structure of southern
Africa very quickly. Before this period, most economic activity was based on farming,
1
William Beinart and Peter Delius, The Mineral Revolution in South Africa: Making Diamonds and
Making Apartheid (London: Routledge, 2001), 12.
2
Francis Wilson and Leonard Thompson, The Oxford History of South Africa: South Africa 1870–
1966 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982), 35.
3
B.K. Mbenga, A. Manson and J.B. Peires, The New History of South Africa (Cape Town: Tafelberg,
2010), 88.
4
Martin Meredith, Diamonds, Gold and War: The British, the Boers and the Making of South Africa
(New York: PublicAffairs, 2007), 41.
5
W. Beinart and P. Delius, The Mineral Revolution in South Africa, p.
, cattle keeping and small-scale trade. Production was mainly for local use, and there
was limited large-scale industry.6
After diamonds were found in Kimberley, and later gold on the Witwatersrand, mining
became the centre of the economy. Large mining companies were formed, and
these required heavy machinery, skilled workers and large amounts of capital. This
marked the beginning of industrial development in South Africa.7
Gold mining, especially, needed deep-level mining techniques, which meant more
advanced technology and bigger financial investment. Because of this, small
individual miners were pushed out, and large companies took control of production.
This led to the rise of powerful mining houses that dominated the economy.8
2.2 Growth of infrastructure and supporting industries
The growth of mining created a strong need for infrastructure. Railways were built to
move minerals from inland mining areas to coastal ports. Roads and communication
systems such as telegraphs were also developed to support the industry.9
Cities like Kimberley and Johannesburg grew rapidly because of mining activities.
Johannesburg, in particular, developed from a small mining camp into a major city
within a short time. This urban growth shows how mining drove economic expansion
and settlement patterns.10
Other industries also developed to support mining. These included engineering,
banking and transport services. This helped to diversify the economy, although
mining remained the main driver of growth.
2.3 Integration into the global economy
The discovery of gold and diamonds linked southern Africa to the global economy.
Gold from the Witwatersrand became one of the largest sources of gold in the world.
This made South Africa very important in international trade and finance.11
6
W. Beinart and P. Delius, The Mineral Revolution in South Africa, p. 18.
7
M. Meredith, Diamonds, Gold and War, p. 42.
8
W. Beinart and P. Delius, p. 25.
9
M. Meredith, p. 55.
10
M. Meredith, p. 60.
11
W. Beinart and P. Delius, p. 30.
