The story of the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand
PARKTOWN – Get set for drama and intrigue with Johannesburg Heritage Foundation’s upcoming virtual tour.
Heritage enthusiasts are invited to join the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation as tour leader David Forrest shares the story of the richest and largest gold find in the world. The virtual tour will take place on 24 October at 2pm for 2.15pm.
Deputy chairperson at the foundation, Flo Bird said, “The story begins many millions of years ago, with the great inland sea, when volcanoes and earthquakes rocked the earth, a great meteorite, as large as Table Mountain, smashed into the earth from the south, tilting the gold and mineral-rich layers downward and upwards like a saucer exposing the outcrop later to be discovered.
Bird added, “We cover the early pioneers who mined on the Witwatersrand before the main reef was discovered and will then follow the stories of the three Georges, each claiming to have discovered the main reef. Great drama when the mines got deeper and the mercury process failed. In 1890 the mining industry nearly collapsed.”
She quoted Percy Fitzpatrick who had said, “Grass will grow in the streets of Johannesburg within a year.”
Residents are reminded that these tours are open to all who are interested. There is a nominal fee of R40 for fully paid-up members of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, Forest Town, both Upper and Lower Houghton, Melrose, Norwood, Oaklands, Observatory Parktown, Parkview and Westcliff Associations who pay only R40. Non-members to pay R80 by EFT into Johannesburg Heritage Foundation account.
Details: You need to register with Eira Bond on mail@joburgheritage.co.za
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