Jagersfontein – the forgotten gem of the Free State

The early mining history of the Free State Province is not well represented in the annals of the mining history of South Africa. As such, only a select few would be aware of the role Jagersfontein played in the diamond mining industry worldwide. In this article, historical research is used as resear...

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Main Author: Loudine Philip
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2016-11-01
Series:Contree
Subjects:
Online Access:https://newcontree.org.za/index.php/nc/article/view/132
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author Loudine Philip
author_facet Loudine Philip
author_sort Loudine Philip
collection DOAJ
description The early mining history of the Free State Province is not well represented in the annals of the mining history of South Africa. As such, only a select few would be aware of the role Jagersfontein played in the diamond mining industry worldwide. In this article, historical research is used as research strategy where the variable focus of the research is time, and specific events are interpreted within a temporally defined situation and environment. The history of Jagersfontein is relayed as a historical narrative, following its development from its conception as a diamond digging in 1869 to the present day. Events and aspects related to its development are interrogated and analysed against a backdrop of historical events that had an influence on its growth; including pointing out the human factor in determining the course of history to gain some understanding of the derelict and forgotten town Jagersfontein is today. It raises the question of the degree of corporate social responsibility mining companies have towards the people of the towns they created and abandoned prior to new legislation in this regard. In closing, it proposes that redefining Jagersfontein as a tourist destination as historic mining town is not only a means of creating job opportunities, but will also enable Jagersfontein to take its rightful place in the history of South Africa.
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spelling doaj.art-1d132c1fc6af40e684c68a728afac3f42023-06-14T09:59:30ZengAOSISContree0379-98672016-11-0176010.4102/nc.v76i0.132132Jagersfontein – the forgotten gem of the Free StateLoudine Philip0National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and, Department of Anthropology, University of the Free StateThe early mining history of the Free State Province is not well represented in the annals of the mining history of South Africa. As such, only a select few would be aware of the role Jagersfontein played in the diamond mining industry worldwide. In this article, historical research is used as research strategy where the variable focus of the research is time, and specific events are interpreted within a temporally defined situation and environment. The history of Jagersfontein is relayed as a historical narrative, following its development from its conception as a diamond digging in 1869 to the present day. Events and aspects related to its development are interrogated and analysed against a backdrop of historical events that had an influence on its growth; including pointing out the human factor in determining the course of history to gain some understanding of the derelict and forgotten town Jagersfontein is today. It raises the question of the degree of corporate social responsibility mining companies have towards the people of the towns they created and abandoned prior to new legislation in this regard. In closing, it proposes that redefining Jagersfontein as a tourist destination as historic mining town is not only a means of creating job opportunities, but will also enable Jagersfontein to take its rightful place in the history of South Africa.https://newcontree.org.za/index.php/nc/article/view/132jagersfonteinmining historynon-alluvial diamondsde beers groupcorporate social responsibilitypoverty relieftourism
spellingShingle Loudine Philip
Jagersfontein – the forgotten gem of the Free State
Contree
jagersfontein
mining history
non-alluvial diamonds
de beers group
corporate social responsibility
poverty relief
tourism
title Jagersfontein – the forgotten gem of the Free State
title_full Jagersfontein – the forgotten gem of the Free State
title_fullStr Jagersfontein – the forgotten gem of the Free State
title_full_unstemmed Jagersfontein – the forgotten gem of the Free State
title_short Jagersfontein – the forgotten gem of the Free State
title_sort jagersfontein the forgotten gem of the free state
topic jagersfontein
mining history
non-alluvial diamonds
de beers group
corporate social responsibility
poverty relief
tourism
url https://newcontree.org.za/index.php/nc/article/view/132
work_keys_str_mv AT loudinephilip jagersfonteintheforgottengemofthefreestate