The farm Eersteling in Limpopo is home to a short but fascinating chapter of our country’s history. It was here that South Africa’s first commercial gold mine was established – more than a decade before the discovery of gold along the Witwatersrand in 1886!
A PROMISE OF RICHES
The story begins with farmer and prospector Jacobus du Preez, who discovered a gold-bearing quartz vein on Eersteling in 1870. At the time, the Transvaal was teeming with prospectors, many from the failed Tati gold rush of the late 1860s in today’s Botswana, and Du Preez asked Natal-based prospector Edward Button to have a look at the vein. Button assured Du Preez that it contained enough gold to produce profits, and promptly named it the Natalia reef in honour of the Colony of Natal.
In September 1871, Button reported Eersteling’s gold deposits to the Transvaal government, and the Volksraad proclaimed the site a public diggings, which soon attracted 30 claimants.
Esta historia es de la edición February 05, 2021 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 05, 2021 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Meet some of the heroes behind avitourism destinations
Exploring what the Garden Route offers birdwatchers, Brian Berkman discovers some special people who run hospitable places to meet and see a variety of species.
What the Citrus Academy offers aspiring producers
Cobus du Plessis takes a look at the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa's Citrus Academy and how it is helping to develop aspiring farmers in the sector.
Seeder kick-starts vegetation in challenging environments.
Dr George Craven of Noorspoort, Steytlerville, in the south-eastern Karoo, is successfully using a home-built 'bedstead seeder' to re-establish veld plants in an arid area, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Sowing seeds for the future: unravelling estate planning challenges for farmers
PJ Veldhuizen, managing director of specialist commercial law firm Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc, emphasises the critical role of legal expertise in unravelling the ins and outs of estate planning.
Visiting olive oil producers in Spain
A group of agricultural journalists representing 15 member countries of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists recently visited the south of Spain to explore the agricultural operations and opportunities unique to that region. Magda du Toit reports.
SA genetics ready to take on the world
The South African Braunvieh has all it takes to become a serious contender in the international red meat production arena, says Gawie Naudé, owner of the award-winning Eduan Braunvieh Stud near Rhodes in the Eastern Cape. Annelie Coleman reports.
Local company serves farmers and communities
Magda du Toit writes about how a company in Limpopo is training and empowering agricultural workers.
Except for pork, meat prices traded lower this past month
While the local livestock industry continues to battle many challenges, an uptick in beef exports as well as the poultry industry's strides to replenish the chicken supply bode well, says Absa AgriBusiness.
Africa goes from net carbon sink to source
New research shows Africa's impact on greenhouse gases and the need to focus on climate-smart agriculture, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Zero-residue fresh produce a reality
Retail giants are calling for caution when using biologicals and chemical pesticides, writes Lindi Botha.