Dr Anne Samson talked about The South African economy at war, 1914-1918 as our July Zoom offering.
At the beginning of the Great War South Africa was not even 5 years old as a Union. Many inter- provincial procedures had not yet even been agreed; the government contributed 8% of economic activity, the mines (mainly gold but also coal) 16% and agriculture 30%. But exports, especially of gold - to the British at a price fixed in 1917 - were very valuable. Imports were curtailed because of the armies' shipping needs and as a result South African industries had to grow to meet consumer demand. While pre-war technical requirements frequently consisted only of servicing and repairing equipment and machinery which had been imported originally, technical abilities grew and this meant that the country was able to undertake more technical work than might have been possible had it not been for the war.
The gold mines endured increasing production costs, which by 1918 led to them asking for an increase in the agreed fixed price; Britain demurred. Coal mining was not 'commandeered' and sales to the USA and even Japan increased. Some other commodities experienced growth despite the war.
Some companies formed - or re-named in the wake of anti-German sentiment following the sinking of the Lusitania e.g. Baumanns to Bakers biscuits - which are still flourishing today. Lindsay Saker supplied vehicles for the invasion of German East Africa - viz Berrange's Trek in the June Military History Journal - which gave motorised transport an improved reputation and no doubt improved sales for the fledgling industry.
The cost of living did however increase and the time saw the birth of trade unions amongst other social development. Dr Samson concluded South Africa was better off at the end of the Great War than at its start.
The recording is on the website as usual as part of the ZOOM library: www.samilitaryhistory.org
FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS
ZOOMINARS
Johannesburg Branch
Prof Ian van der Waag will tell us about "Crime behind the Wire: traitors, collaborators, stool pigeons".
Eastern Cape Branch (SAMHSEC)
Monday 8th August 2022 meeting; 19h30 then 20h15 as usual
Becoming Zoominati and enjoying Military History Society
Approximately 200 of our members receive announcements of forthcoming meetings
and are invited to join the meetings. We wish to encourage more of those who are missing out
to become involved. We hold three ZOOMinars a month.
All you need is a computer, OR A CELLPHONE, and a data connection and you can
become part of the meetings. You will need to contact the Society to be added to the invite list and
then you are all fitted out. You then click on the link in the invitation just before the meeting starts and
it will hook you up to join the meetings.
ROOM MEETINGS
KwaZulu-Natal Branch Meeting at St Cyprians Church Hall in Umbilo, Durban, Saturday 9th July
Details from Uli Duebi - ulric@wolrdonline.co.za
BOOKS for sale eastern side of Johannesburg Pierre du Toit is reluctantly selling many of his books which include several Anglo-Boer War
publications. If interested please e-mail him at dutoykie@telkomsa.net or phone 011 453 5542 or cell
073 335 1741 for a list of what is still available.
MEMBERS OF ALL BRANCHES ARE ALWAYS
WELCOME TO ATTEND ALL ZOOM MEETINGS Let scribe@samilitaryhistory.org know in order to be sent an invitation to the next ZOOM meeting.
June 2022 Military History Journal - Distribution The June 2022 Journal - Volume 19 No 4 - has been sent out to all paid-up members with the
exception of overseas issues which the SA Post Office still does not accept for posting - e.g. the
Philippines. A pdf version of the Journal is available to overseas members who have been sent the
relevant link.
AN APPEAL for information
A black concentration camp was situated in Bez (Bezuidenhout) Valley, on the farm Doornfontein
in the east of Johannesburg, during the Second Anglo-Boer War. The camp was possibly located
alongside the Jukskei River, which had a rich source of clean water, Would
anyone have any information about this concentration camp? Alkis Doucakis and Mrs Ann
Meisel are editing a book on the history of the farm and its two suburbs, "Old" and New
Doornfontein. Although 132 manuscripts have been submitted by 84 researchers, as yet no
information has been forthcoming on this camp. We would dearly appreciate any leads.
Please contact us at adoucakis@gmail.com
Branch contact details
Eastern Cape details contact Malcolm Kinghorn 041-373-4469 culturev@lantic.net
Gauteng details contact Joan Marsh 010-237-0676 joan@rfidradar.com
KwaZulu-Natal details contact Prof Phil Everitt 084-437-1636 everitt@iafrica.com
Cape Town details contact Ronnie Glass 083 441 6170 ronnie.glass@horwath.co.za
meeting and talks from your own home.
from 14h00 for 14h30
Please let Joan know if yours has not arrived by the end of August - they were posted on 26 July.
AB war black concentration camp in Bez Valley
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Fast mirror and backup site BOOKMARK
FOR REFERENCE Main
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