The History of Carletonville, South Africa

Carletonville is a mining town in the West Rand region of Gauteng, South Africa, known for its rich gold deposits and deep-level mines. Founded in the mid-20th century amid a gold mining boom, Carletonville has grown from an unplanned mining camp into a formal town over the decades.

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This comprehensive history of Carletonville covers its founding and naming, early development, the discovery of gold and rise of mining, the town’s role in South Africa’s gold production, social and demographic changes, economic shifts, and major historical events that have shaped the community.

Founding and Naming of Carletonville

Carletonville’s origins are tied directly to gold mining activities in the area. Prior to the 1930s, the locale was largely farmland in the Gatsrand (Potchefstroom) district, with no town present. This changed when significant gold deposits were identified on the far western Witwatersrand.

As various mining companies established operations from 1937 onwards, an informal settlement grew to house mine workers and infrastructure. The town was eventually named after Guy Carleton Jones, an engineer and long-serving director of Consolidated Gold Fields who played a prominent role in discovering the rich gold-bearing reef of the West Wits line.

In November 1946 the mining company decided to formalize the settlement, and Carletonville was officially proclaimed as a town in 1948.

By 1959, Carletonville had obtained full municipal status, marking its incorporation as a governed town. The naming was in honor of Carleton Jones’s contributions, cementing the town’s identity as one built on mining enterprise.

In 1967, upon the town’s population reaching roughly 2,000 residents (mostly white, under the apartheid-era classifications), Carletonville was formally recognized and celebrated as a provincial town. This milestone reflected its growth from a mining camp into an established town with a local authority.

Early Development and Infrastructure

Carletonville’s early development was driven by the needs of the mining industry. The town initially expanded in an unplanned fashion, with mining companies creating basic housing and facilities for their employees. Over time, more structured infrastructure emerged.

By the 1950s, the town had a number of residential areas, commercial shops, and amenities to serve the mining community. A town council was constituted after 1959 to oversee local governance and services.

The layout of Carletonville was influenced by nearby mining properties , several “mine villages” and labor quarters were established just south of the town on land owned by the gold mines.

For example, villages like Blyvooruitzicht (the oldest mining village), Western Deep Levels, and Elandsrand were built to house mine workers and their families. Carletonville itself developed as the central business and service area for these mining settlements.

Infrastructure such as roads connecting to Johannesburg and other towns, a railway station at the adjacent suburb of Oberholzer, and public facilities (schools, a hospital, etc.) gradually took shape during the town’s formative years. By the 1960s, Carletonville had the essential infrastructure of a small town, though its fortunes and growth remained closely tied to the surrounding mines.

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Gold Discovery and the Rise of Mining

The discovery of gold in the Carletonville area was part of the broader Witwatersrand gold rush that transformed South Africa’s economy. In the early 1930s, rich gold-bearing reefs were identified in what became known as the Far West Witwatersrand (West Wits) field.

Guy Carleton Jones and his colleagues conducted exploratory work that confirmed vast gold deposits in this area, leading to the establishment of major mining ventures. Blyvooruitzicht Gold Mine, opened in 1937, was the first mine to exploit the West Wits goldfield and proved the viability of mining west of Johannesburg.

Blyvooruitzicht (meaning “happy prospect” in Afrikaans) began milling ore and produced its first gold by 1942. It quickly earned renown as a highly productive site , it was described as the richest ore body on the West Wits line of gold discoveries.

Multiple other mines soon followed. By the 1950s and 1960s, Carletonville was encircled by prolific gold mines such as Blyvooruitzicht, West Driefontein, Doornfontein, Western Deep Levels, and Elandsrand.

These operations tapped into the same continuous gold reef, making the Carletonville district one of the world’s richest gold-producing areas. Notably, Western Deep Levels (now part of the Mponeng mine) set a world record: by 1979 it had the deepest mine shafts on Earth, extending about 3,777 meters (over 12,300 feet) below the surface.

This record highlighted the advanced mining engineering in Carletonville and the tremendous wealth of gold being extracted.

Carletonville’s rise was thus inseparable from the boom of gold mining. The town’s economy and daily life revolved around the mines , thousands of workers were employed in the area, and support industries like engineering workshops and supply depots sprang up.

The region’s output made substantial contributions to South Africa’s gold production dominance in the 20th century. For example, from 1937 to 2005 the Blyvooruitzicht mine alone produced an astonishing 1,160 tonnes of gold in total, underscoring the magnitude of extraction centered around Carletonville.

Uranium was often recovered as a by-product of the gold ore as well, adding further value to the mining operations.

 Above-ground view of the Mponeng gold mine near Carletonville, known as the world’s deepest gold mine. The Carletonville area’s mines, formerly called Western Deep Levels, extend nearly 4 km underground to tap the rich gold reefs.

Carletonville’s Role in South Africa’s Gold Production

By the 1970s and 1980s, Carletonville had firmly established itself as a premier gold mining center in South Africa. It was often at the forefront of production statistics, and its mines were operated by major gold companies.

During this period, South Africa was the world’s largest gold producer, and the West Wits field (with Carletonville at its heart) was a significant contributor to that status. Mining companies like Anglo American and Gold Fields had large stakes in the local mines, and technological innovations in ultra-deep mining were pioneered here to reach ever-deeper ore.

The town’s identity became synonymous with gold , a local nickname was that Carletonville is “gold’s locker” (a reference to it being a storage of vast gold wealth).

Carletonville also played a role in South Africa’s mining labor system. The mines attracted thousands of migrant laborers from across Southern Africa. While the gold extracted enriched the national economy and mining houses, it also relied on the labor of many workers who often toiled in dangerous conditions.

The presence of powerful mining unions, such as the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), became part of Carletonville’s later history, as labor strikes and safety campaigns occurred from time to time in the late 20th century. Still, for many decades, Carletonville delivered prosperity through its “goudspens” (gold pantry) to South Africa, and the town was closely watched as a barometer of the mining industry’s health.

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Social and Demographic Development

Throughout its history, Carletonville’s social fabric has been shaped by the country’s political context and the mining economy. During the apartheid era (1948–1994), the town itself was designated for white residents, while Black African people , who made up the majority of the mine workforce, lived in segregated areas or hostels.

A township named Khutsong was established just outside Carletonville as a residential area for Black communities and mine laborers’ families. Indeed, local residents recall that Khutsong has existed “since the town was founded in the 1950s,” effectively growing alongside Carletonville but remaining separate due to apartheid policies.

Conditions in the township were starkly different from the relatively well-resourced white suburbs of Carletonville. Black workers often stayed in single-sex mine compounds during their work stints, while their families remained in rural homes or in townships like Khutsong.

In the late 20th century, Carletonville’s population diversified. The repeal of apartheid laws and the democratic transition in 1994 led to greater freedom of movement and residence. Many Black South Africans settled in Carletonville itself or in expanding sections of Khutsong and other nearby settlements.

By 2011, Carletonville’s population had shifted to reflect the country’s demographics: roughly 70% of residents were Black African, 27% White, with small percentages of Coloured and Indian/Asian residents.

The community today is multilingual and multiethnic ,Afrikaans remains widely spoken (about a quarter of residents listed it as a first language in 2011), but languages such as isiXhosa, Setswana, and Sesotho are equally prominent, mirroring the backgrounds of those who came to the area for mining jobs.

Social life in Carletonville historically revolved around mining company facilities (like recreational clubs, sports fields, and schools funded by the mines) and the close-knit nature of a company town. A popular saying captured the atmosphere: in a mining town like Carletonville, “everyone knows everyone else’s business”.

While this fostered a strong sense of community, it also underscored the town’s dependency on mining. Over time, Carletonville has seen the growth of churches, civic organisations, and local businesses that cater to a more diverse civilian population, especially as former mine employees retired and settled with families.

The integration of formerly segregated areas post-1994 was not without challenges, but today Carletonville and Khutsong are part of one municipality and share a intertwined social landscape.

Economic Shifts and Community Evolution

Economically, Carletonville has experienced both boom and bust phases. During the peak gold production years (1950s–1980s), the town prospered. Employment was high and local businesses thrived by supplying the mines and mineworkers.

The local municipality’s revenue also benefited from mining taxes and the mines’ investment in infrastructure. Carletonville’s prosperity was “heavily dependent on the continued production of gold,” as Encyclopædia Britannica notes.

Some light industrial development took place for instance, engineering workshops and manufacturers related to mining equipment set up in town, but these existed mainly to serve the mining sector.

From the 1990s onwards, South Africa’s gold industry began to face decline due to deeper ore, rising costs, and lower global gold prices. The Carletonville area was not spared. Mines that had operated for decades started reaching the end of their productive life or were restructured to cut costs.

This resulted in workforce reductions and a shrinking economic base for the town. By the 2000s, unemployment became a serious issue as many locals who had only known mining found themselves without work.

The death rattle of the once-mighty gold industry could be heard “in the town of Carletonville , on Gold Street,” as one 2018 Bloomberg report poignantly described. That report highlighted thousands of retrenchments: in 2017 alone, around 8,500 people in the Carletonville area lost their jobs as shafts closed or scaled down.

Former mine workers like Paseka Selemela resorted to odd jobs (such as guarding cars) after struggling to find new employment in other mines or industries.

 A sinkhole in the Carletonville area that destroyed water pipelines (2016). The region’s dolomitic geology has caused ground collapses since the 1960s, posing risks to infrastructure and prompting local disaster declarations.

The downturn forced Carletonville’s community and leaders to seek economic diversification. Efforts were made to promote other sectors, such as agriculture on surrounding lands and retail trade in the town center.

A few small factories and service businesses emerged, but none could fully replace the economic engine that gold mining had been. The local government (now part of the Merafong City Local Municipality) also faced financial and service delivery challenges, especially as the mining companies scaled back their direct involvement in town maintenance.

By 2020, a historical turning point was reached: AngloGold Ashanti, the last of the large mining conglomerates operating in Carletonville, sold its remaining mines (including Mponeng) to Harmony Gold and exited the South African gold industry.

This marked the end of an era in which Carletonville was effectively a “company town” dominated by a few big mining houses. The mines continue to operate under new owners (or on a smaller scale), and illegal mining (by artisanal miners called zama-zamas) has also become an emerging issue, reflecting the lengths to which people go to find remaining gold.

Today, Carletonville is a community in transition. The town’s evolution has led to a mix of hope and uncertainty , residents cherish the area’s heritage and the relative quiet of a small town, but they also worry about economic opportunities and the maintenance of infrastructure (some of which, like water and sewer lines, has been literally undermined by ground instability).

The legacy of mining is everywhere, from the towering headgear of shafts on the skyline to the environmental challenges of dolomitic land and settling ponds. Community groups and local authorities are working on plans to rehabilitate old mine sites and possibly develop tourism or alternative industries, hoping to ensure Carletonville remains viable long after the gold veins are exhausted.

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Major Events and Turning Points in Carletonville’s History

Several notable events and turning points have punctuated Carletonville’s history, leaving lasting impacts on the town and its people:

• The 1964 Sinkhole Disaster:  In the early hours of 3 August 1964, tragedy struck the Blyvooruitzicht mining village just south of Carletonville. A massive sinkhole suddenly opened beneath the residential area of Westdene (a mining township), swallowing an entire house. The entire Oosthuizen family ,Johannes and Hester Oosthuizen and their three young children and their domestic helper were killed as their home collapsed into the earthg. Neighboring houses were severely damaged and the ground continued to cave in, creating a gaping hole over 100 meters wide. This disaster, caused by the de-watering of dolomitic groundwater by the mines, shocked the nation and made Carletonville infamous for a time. The Westdene village was permanently abandoned and later demolished due to ground instability. About 170 displaced families had to be relocated to emergency housing, some living in caravans for months. A monument on the hillside overlooking the site commemorates the Oosthuizen family. This sinkhole incident raised awareness of the geological risks in the area and led to stricter controls on mine water pumping. Unfortunately, dolomite-related sinkholes have continued to be a threat in Carletonville and environs, periodically causing damage to roads, pipelines, and even schools in later years.

• Municipal Integration and Khutsong Protests (2005–2009):  A major political turning point came in the mid-2000s when Carletonville was caught in a dispute over provincial boundaries. In 2005, the South African government decided to transfer the Merafong City Municipality,which includes Carletonville and Khutsong from Gauteng Province into the neighboring North West Province. This move was extremely unpopular with local residents, who feared poorer services under North West administration. Violent protests erupted in Khutsong: residents barricaded streets with stones and burnt vehicles upon hearing that they would be “incorporated into the ‘poorer’ North West Province”. For months, Khutsong became a hotspot of unrest; schools were boycotted and community organizations (like the Merafong Demarcation Forum) mobilized against the change. The slogan “No Gauteng, No Vote” was widely used, indicating residents’ determination to remain in Gauteng. The government eventually heeded the outcry. After lengthy negotiations and a drop in local ANC election turnout, legislation was passed to reverse the decision. In 2009, Merafong and Carletonville were officially returned to Gauteng Province, ending “years of unhappiness over the 2005 decision”. This episode underscored Carletonville’s residents’ civic activism and the importance they attach to provincial governance for service delivery.

• Mining Accidents and Safety Incidents:  Carletonville’s mining history has had its share of industrial accidents. A notable recent incident was the Elandsrand mine accident of October 2007. On 3 October 2007, a structural failure occurred in Harmony Gold’s Elandsrand mine (about 11 km south of Carletonville), trapping over 3,200 miners underground at depths exceeding 2 kilometers. The world held its breath as a dramatic overnight rescue unfolded. Thankfully, by the next day all the miners were brought safely to the surface in what was hailed as one of the largest successful mine rescues in history. The incident raised concerns about mine safety regulations , inspections had been behind schedule and prompted the Minister of Minerals and Energy to call for improved safety measures. While no fatalities occurred in that event, it reminded the community of the ever-present dangers of deep-level mining. Over the years, other accidents (such as rock bursts and smaller cave-ins) have unfortunately claimed lives, and memorial services for lost miners are a solemn part of Carletonville’s heritage.

• Administrative Changes:  In 2000, Carletonville became the administrative seat of the newly formed Merafong City Local Municipality as part of South Africa’s post-apartheid local government reorganization. This merged Carletonville with surrounding towns (like Fochville and Wedela) and townships (including Khutsong) under one municipal governance. While this change aimed to streamline administration, it also meant the town’s affairs were linked with a broader region. In recent times, Carletonville has struggled with municipal service delivery problems (water, electricity, etc.), reflecting the wider challenges facing the Merafong municipality. These issues have sparked further community activism and calls for improved governance.

Through all these events, Carletonville has demonstrated resilience. The town and its people have repeatedly adapted to change , be it geological disasters, political shifts, or economic ups and downs.

From its humble start as a mining camp to its heyday as a gold powerhouse, and now into a future beyond gold, Carletonville’s history is a microcosm of South Africa’s broader social and economic journey. Its rich past, literally built upon veins of gold, continues to inform its identity even as the community looks toward new horizons in the 21st century.