Relocation Support to South Africa - About South Africa

INTRIGUING HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT JOHANNESBURG

	In 1886, the largest gold reef ever was unearthed, attracting foreigners and locals in the unprecedented gold rush that extended across the world from Australia in the east to California in the west, founding Johannesburg (Joburg or Jozi), the economic and social hub of South Africa, which contains traces of every foreign culture. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange was officially opened in 1888 with 123 members. By the end of 1889, the members had grown to 900, with over 300 mining companies listed. Within 12 years of its development, Johannesburg was producing more gold than the whole of the USA. The Transvaal Mining Argus reported on 21 September 1887, Johannesburg’s 1 year birthday: “….it (Johannesburg) can boast without egoism of its powerful growth and challenge the world to point to any other town that has developed so marvellously, physically, intellectually, socially, morally, religiously and commercially in the last 12 months of its existence, as Johannesburg has done. It has passed through all the stages from birth to maturity with a rapidity that has astounded the whole civilised world.” The first Post Office in Johannesburg was an old gin box, and all incoming mail was tossed into the box, while recipients had to sift through the heap. In September 1886 a Postmaster was appointed and a corrugated iron post office was erected in Market Street . Within 9 months the population and correspondence grew to such an extent that the overworked staff were near collapse. In March 1887 the Post Office moved into bigger premises and in 3 months moved again to bigger premises, the 3rd in a year. The crowds would stand outside while a clerk read out the names of the parties he had letters for, beginning with any given initial; whoever was not there missed out on his letter. In August 1889 according to the Star, there were 10 000 unclaimed letters. In 1896, house-to-house delivery was started but then Volksraad decided it was too expensive and discontinued the service a few months later. In April 1887 the telegraph office opened and by end year, sending 500 teles per day with delays of 5 days. The Globe Theatre in Commissioner Street was Johannesburg’s first real theatre built of brick. It opened in June 1888, but burnt down in October of the same year – there was no fire brigade! Within 12 years of its existence, Johannesburg was producing more gold than the whole of the United States of America. The Standard Bank was Johannesburg’s first financial institution and opened in a marquee in 1886. An ammunition box served as a seat for the tellers and a large packing crate for the counter, while the cash was kept in an old candle box. The bank moved to Commissioner Street in 1890. The first public library in Johannesburg was started in March 1889 and its first 1000 books arrived by ox-wagon from Kimberley two months later. In 1894, immigration regulations were almost non-existent, and The Star reported that 2000 people a week were pouring in for the gold rush. In July 1889, the boxing match which saw 5500 spectators, who celebrated Couper’s victory for the rest of the day and night. Johannesburg ’s first buildings were literally made of biscuit tins and some of unbaked brick that turned to mud and caved in with the first spring rains. Beer brewing was one of the first industries in Johannesburg. In 1887, there were 16 out of 26 shanties selling alcohol. In 1889, Johannesburg had 127 saloons, 17 hotels, several beer halls and 17 hotels, for a population of 20 000 people. In 1891 this figure doubled and in 1899 increased by four times as much! Henry Longland in 1895 wrote of Johannesburg, “The Shops of Johannesburg are a revelation of wonder and beauty, each an Aladdin’s Palace within itself.” The Mecca of all shoppers in the 1890's was Pritchard Street, which owed its success to a Kimberley financier William Giuynne-Evans, who bought a number of lots on the south side and had shops erected, leasing them out on condition that the shop windows be illuminated from 7-9pm every Sat evening. He also produced musical entertainment so popular that the streets were closed to traffic between von Brandis and Loveday after 6pm. The streets were so full of men, women and children, cafe's and meeting places for friends by the thousands. The streets were filled with hawkers and vendors who sold fruit and veg, coal, bread and bakedgoods, sweetened ice cubes on hot summer days, hot dog wheelbarrows, shoemakers, old clothes, the Great American Medicine Man with his gaily painted caravan and dressed as red Indian chief, pulled teeth free of charge and sold the elexir of life at 5c per bottle. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange was officially opened in January 1888, with 123 members in a single story brick and iron building of Commissioner and Simmonds Streets, over 300 mining companies. Due to the overcrowding in the building, brokers and clerks spilled into the streets. Situation caused the Exchange to ask the Mining Commissioner to close off Simmonds Street between Market Square and Commissioner Street. The Star announced that posts and chains, handsome lamps and verandas to shelter under would be put up, and the roadway would be paved. From then on the area between Market Square and Commissioner Street became known as "world between the chains". The exchange building doubled up as a venue for many community functions and many times members were turned out into the street where business resumed. Jhb’s first telephone exchange was housed in a pagoda like tower on Plein Square and opened in 1894 with 250 subscribers.