#WiseWednesday – Did you know?
Have you ever wondered about a bit of our town’s rich history?
Sometimes our very town can be a weird and wonderful place.
Here a few interesting facts about the town’s history to tickle your interest this Wednesday:
1. In 1887, a small town was founded by the then retired first president of the South African Republic, Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, shortly after the discovery of the Witwatersrand goldfields, which today produces almost half of the gold mined on the African continent. Countless hopeful people soon flocked to the town in search of gold. The town was then named after the then president, Paul Kruger.
2. One of Krugersdorp’s greatest and most enduring myths comes all the way from the Second Boer War of 1899 to 1902, when the President Paul Kruger allegedly organised for about 2 million pounds of gold to be taken from the country’s reserve and hidden from the enemies. Though most believe the gold was taken to somewhere in Mpumalanga, many Krugersdorpers believe it’s very likely that the large fortune was actually hidden in the town that bears Paul Kruger’s name.
3. As of the last nationwide census, Krugersdorp has a population of just over 140 000 within it’s approximately 570 square kilometre area. The residents seem to be predominantly Afrikaans-speaking, with about 42 per cent having it as their first language, followed by English at 19,5 per cent and Tswana at 14,5 per cent. It remains to be seen how much these figures have changed over the past few years, but this will only be determined during the next census, in 2021.
4. The largest tourist attractions in the vicinity of Krugersdorp are the Cradle of Humankind (which is internationally known as the birthplace of the first human beings); the Sterkfontein Caves, where many fossils have been found; the Wonder Caves, which are a system of immense natural caves stretching for many kilometres, and the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, which has been home to many kinds of wildlife over the years.
5. Krugersdorp has been home to many well-known figures. In an historical context, a few names of note are:
a. Yusuf Mohamed Dadoo, who was a prominent communist and anti-apartheid activist. The still operational Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital is named for him.
b. The current federal and parliamentary leader of the Democratic Alliance, Mmusi Maimane, was born in the Leratong Hospital, and lived and studied in Soweto.
c. The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Nomvula Paula Mokonyane, was also born on the West Rand, and grew up and attended school in Kagiso.
d. Noted and respected spiritual leader and human rights activist, Desmond Mpilo Tutu, taught English at the Krugersdorp High School in 1955, and met his wife in Krugersdorp.
e. George Allan Heyl is the last living member of the famous Stander Gang, who robbed nearly 30 banks during the late 70s and early 80s. After the group escaped from their first incarcerations, George was again captured in England, and later taken to South Africa where he was imprisoned in Krugersdorp for 25 years, before being paroled in 2005.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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