October 1886
Johannesburg founded
A mining camp on the Witwatersrand was laid out as Johannesburg during the early gold rush, rapidly becoming southern Africa's largest urban centre.
View in timelineA mining camp on the Witwatersrand was laid out as Johannesburg in October 1886 during the early gold rush, rapidly becoming southern Africa's largest urban centre.
Significance
Johannesburg concentrated mining capital, migrant labour and imperial politics that reshaped the South African Republic and the road to war.
Why it matters
Johannesburg concentrated mining capital, migrant labour and imperial politics that reshaped the South African Republic and the road to war. Its rapid growth was built on racially differentiated urban and labour systems.
Perspective notes
The town offered opportunities to investors, traders and workers, but its mining economy depended on migrant labour, compound discipline and unequal access to residence and political rights.