Rand Rebellion

Rand Rebellion

Rebels being taken prisoner in Fordsburg
Date28 December 1921 – 16 March 1922
(2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days)
Location
Witwatersrand, Union of South Africa
Result Government victory
Belligerents
Union of South Africa South African Communist Party
Commanders and leaders
Jan Smuts
Casualties and losses
~200 killed[1]
4 executed

The Rand Rebellion (Afrikaans: Rand-rebellie; also known as the 1922 strike) was an armed uprising of white miners in the Witwatersrand region of South Africa, in March 1922. Jimmy Green, a prominent politician in the Labour Party, was one of the leaders of the strike.

Following a drop in the world price of gold from 130 shillings (£6 10s) per fine troy ounce in 1919 to 95s/oz (£4 15s) in December 1921, the companies tried to cut their operating costs by decreasing wages, and by weakening the colour bar by promoting cheaper black mine workers to skilled and supervisory positions.[2]

  1. ^ Bendix, S. (2001). Industrial relations in South Africa. Claremont: Juta. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-7021-5279-5.
  2. ^ "Fifty fighting years – chapter 3". sacp.org.za.

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