I have never been any good with numbers (just ask my matric maths teacher).
This is probably why I became a writer.
If you believe the scientist, intelligence technology dudes, then you’ll know that everything in the world is made up of data and numbers.
Benoni too is made up by the numbers.
So, I decided to incorporate words and my uselessness with numbers (I like a challenge) and come up with this…
1, 2, 3…
This is LG’s “Benoni by the numbers” (in no particular order).
Here goes:
1-1
Seeing as though I am a sports journo, naturally I’d start this show off with a Benoni sporting reference.
1-1 was the full-time result in the most recent Benoni football derby between Benoni Northerns and Old Bens, played at Old Benonians.
In fact, this result has occurred in the last three derbies played at the grounds of Old Bens.
Any bets on what the score will be the next time Northerns travel to Currin Park?
1887
Gold!
Benoni was built on the stuff.
According to Wikipedia, gold was discovered in Benoni in 1887.
With it came people from all walks of life and a whole lot of trouble.
1913
How many of us in Benoni actually know what actually happened with the mining strike of 1913?
An article in the Benoni City Times’ archives from May 24, 1963 reads: “50 years ago today bullets flew in Benoni”, with the sub-header “When town became riot centre watched by the world.”
It is believed that the strikes of 1913 started from small beginnings when five mechanics on the New Kleinfontein Mine (remember our beloved mine dump?) were deprived of their Saturday half-day.
Apparently, a newly-appointed manager at the mine unilaterally changed the working conditions of miners, and miners then came out on strike.
The strikers were initially super chilled, but eventually it became a political thing, and suddenly… boom!
The paw-paw hit the fan.
Also, the fact that mine-owners were using scab labour to continue operations didn’t do them any favours.
Soon, thousands of mine workers across the entire Witwatersrand were up in arms in solidarity with their brothers in Benoni.
Considerable damage occurred during this strike.
By the time it ended, 21 people had been killed and 47 were injured.
One British publication even coined a new phrase: “Benoni Law”, which was applied whenever there was an outbreak of violence.
See?
We have been creating the brown stuff in Benoni forever!
There’s actually so much more to this strike, which certainly makes for fascinating reading.
Know your Benoni!
Oh, and it did not end there either:
1922
Things were on rocky roads for nine years after 1913.
Things turned racial, too.
In December 1921, after a drop in the world price of gold, mining companies tried to cut their operating costs by decreasing wages and promoting cheaper black miners to skilled and supervisory positions.
It soon became an open rebellion against the state in ’22.
Armed white mine workers took over Benoni, Brakpan, Fordsburg and Jeppe and Jan Smuts’ government declared martial law for the fourth time in a decade.
The government moved in with plans to end the strike and teach the miners a lesson.
This is where it got crazy.
This info from the Benoni 75th Anniversary Supplement (dated 1981), researched by local historian Glynis Cox Millett-Clay and her Benoni – Now and Then page, blew my mind:
BOMBS!
“The first was Smuts sending in the Air force to bomb Benoni, for which he was never forgiven and for which he was called to account in 1948.
“The planes came over and were aiming for the Mine Workers Hall in Prince’s Avenue (then Market Avenue).
“Bombs were dropped in what seemed haphazard fashion.
“One meant for the hall exploded in Harpur Avenue.”
Insane!
The strike was crushed by the state, but would change the face of South African history forever.
**If you are interested in Benoni’s history send a request to join the Benoni – Now and Then Facebook page.**
2004
Speaking about gold, fast-forward 82 years and another Benonian struck gold:
1917
Back to the early nineteen hundreds.
This was an extremely important event.
The first revolt by ratepayers came in 1917 when the community of Brakpan presented a petition of 400 names, demanding to be freed from the Benoni Municipality.
This was granted in 1919.
Fair deal?
19
The number of times Benonian Denis Lindsay played Test cricket for South Africa between 1963 and 1970.
According to ol’ reliable Wikipedia, his outstanding series was against Australia in 1966/1967, when he scored 606 runs in seven innings, including three centuries, took 24 catches as wicketkeeper and conceded only six byes.
What a legend!
300*
Staying with cricket, because, well, I love it…
300 runs not out was the score achieved by English cricketing great Denis Compton against North-Eastern Transvaal at Willowmoore Park on December 3, 1948.
The triple ton was scored in what is still a world record in first class cricket in a time of 181 minutes.
It occurred during the the MCC’s (Marylebone Cricket Club) 1948/49 tour of South Africa.
Such was the man’s sporting prowess that he also played football for Arsenal Football Club.
He played against Liverpool in the 1950 FA Cup final.
The chap was like David Beckham of the time.
His “handsome” features saw him become the face of a greasy hair product called Brylcreem.
5:54:43
The record time that Frith van der Merwe achieved at the 1989 Comrades Marathon down run, which still stands today.
Donning the cheese and tomato colours of Benoni Northerns Athletic Club, the teacher from Benoni put our little town on the map.
Not only is she a road running icon in SA, but she is also just a tremendous, down-to-earth person.
Legend!
My editor and I were fortunate to sit down with Frith ahead of the 2017 Comrades:
https://www.citizen.co.za/benoni-city-times/296877/frith-van-der-merwe-talks-comrades-benoni-lg_keved/
509
Everyone in Benoni knows where 509 is.
I’m not sure what they do there, but I hear it can be ummm… entertaining?
0
The chances of me going to this weekend’s H2O party.
24
The number of years I have been a Benoni resident.
I was born in the new Glynnwood Hospital at the end of 1989, but stayed in Brakpan as an infant until 1993 (explains a lot).
My affection for my hometown is no secret.
I am proud that I wore the purple of Arbor Primary School and the ‘Chappie Wrapper’ of Benoni High School.
I am appreciative of the fact that I write for the Benoni City Times and get to report on the sporting achievements of fellow ’Nonians.
I am thrilled that I get the chance to put Benoni in the spotlight through these blogs.
Benoni has been an official town for 110 years.
Here’s to the next 110 plus.
LG
* Please note that this is an opinion piece and that the views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Benoni City Times or Caxton Newspapers.
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Things I learned in the Fair Cape
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