Krugersdorp (Afrikaans for Kruger's Village) is a mining city in the West Rand, Gauteng Province, South Africa founded in 1887[2] by Marthinus Pretorius and Abner Cohen.[3] Following the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand, a need arose for a major town in the west of the reef. The government bought part of the Paardekraal farm and named the new town after the Transvaal president, Paul Kruger. Krugersdorp no longer has a separate municipal government after it was integrated into Mogale City Local Municipality along with surrounding towns. It is now the seat of government for Mogale City.
History
Town Hall in Krugersdorp
Krugersdorp is the site of a December 1880 gathering at which more than 6,000 men vowed to fight for the Transvaal's independence.[2] Founded in 1887 by Marthinus Pretorius after the discovery of gold on his farm, Paardekraal, thereafter the mining industry played an important role in the development of the city. Two important events in the history of South Africa: the Transvaal War of Independence (1881) and the discovery of the Witwatersrand Goldfields (1886) took place in Krugersdorp. These events had far-reaching political and economic consequences for the country's development.[4]
In April 1887, the South African Republic's (ZAR) Executive Council purchased part of the farm Paarderkraal to build a town called Krugersdorp.[5]: 35 By the time the town was founded, the existence of the gold reef along the Witwatersrand had become common knowledge, and thousands seeking their fortunes pitched their tents and pegged claims. In 1888, Krugersdorp was proclaimed a separate gold field.[6] By 1895, the proclaimed goldfields was separated from Krugersdorp, and the town and Distriksdorp, near the monument, were merged in April that year.[5]: 35 By 1903, Krugersdorp became a municipality.[5]: 35
During the Second Boer War (1899-1902), the British built a concentration camp in the valley that is now occupied by the Centenary Dam. This camp was overlooked by the "D" Shaft of the Luipardsvlei Estate Gold Mining Company, which was shut down in 1929 when mining shifted to deeper ore bodies that offered the prospect of larger tonnages. As of 2014[update] this shaft is being brought back into production. Part of the heritage of the area will feature in a museum to be built post-closure. An essential part of the museum's content will be the Boer War legacy.[7]
In 1952, the West Rand Consolidated Mine was the first in the world to extract uranium as a byproduct of the gold refining process.[8]
A view from Coronation Park overlooking the old town with the West Rand Consolidated Mines dump on the horizon
Gold, manganese, iron, asbestos and lime are all mined in the area.[14]
Krugersdorp has a modern business centre and shopping malls alongside many smaller shops, schools, and necessary amenities. There are also game reserves and a nearby bird sanctuary.[14]
Although the city's municipality changed its name from Krugersdorp to Mogale City,[16] the assumption that the city's name has been officially changed to Mogale City has been refuted by the Mogale City Municipality.[17]
Coat of arms
Krugersdorp was proclaimed a municipality in 1903. By 1931, the municipal council had assumed a pseudo-heraldic coat of arms. The shield was divided by a horizontal line, the upper half subdivided by a vertical line, the three sections depicting (1) the Paardekraal monument, (2) a mining landscape, and (3) a plough. The motto was Labor omnia vincit improbus.[18]
A proper coat of arms was designed in the 1960s. It was registered with the Transvaal Provincial Administration in November 1965[19] and at the Bureau of Heraldry in January 1969.[20] The arms were : Per chevron ploye Azure and Or, dexter two mine hammers in saltire and sinister a cogwheel all Or, and in base the Paardekraal Monument Gules. In layman's terms, the shield was divided by a curved chevron-shaped line into blue and gold, displaying two crossed mine hammers and a cogwheel at the top, and the Paardekraal monument at the bottom. The crest was three horses' heads issuing from a golden mural crown; the supporters were an eland and a gemsbok; and the motto was Labor omnia vincit improbus.
Attractions
Krugersdorp has popular tourist attractions such as Krugersdorp Game Reserve, Maropeng Visitor Centre, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens and Sterkfonten Caves.[21]
The town is the host of the annual Gauteng Beach Party held at Coronation Park.[22] In recent years the event has featured performances by:
DJ Sbu
DJ Cleo
Winnie Khumalo
TBo Touch
TKZee
Brown Dash
Afropop sensation Mafikizolo and Ntando Bangani are noted acts that hail from Krugersdorp.[23]
Sports
Krugersdorp also has an 18-hole golf course and many facilities for extreme sports.
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