TravelTill

History of Benoni


JuteVilla
Government so soon after the Russian Communist Revolution of 1917.

The strike quickly degenerated into open revolt, with armed miners fighting the South African police and army in the streets. The revolt lasted for about a year and the miners were bombed by the newly formed South African Air Force (SAAF) during this time. Some of the SAAF aeroplanes were shot down by ground fire from the miners. During the revolt, Benoni was used as one of the headquarters of the miners and much fighting took place in and around the area. The Benoni Museum details this episode in the town’s history.

During World War II, the South African Airforce trained pilots in Benoni.

In 1957, in an effort to introduce the sport of rugby league to South Africa, Great Britain and France played the first of a series of three exhibition matches in Benoni.

During the apartheid era, designated townships for black people was established outside Benoni, namely Daveyton and Wattville. The township of Actonville was established for the habitation of Indians, whilst Benoni proper was reserved for "whites only". These various suburbs remain although the town is today relatively well integrated and members of all race-groups may live anywhere they please.

Several streets were renamed. "Fort Road" got its name from a British fort at the end of the road and was renamed "Voortrekker Street" during the National Party's publicity campaign. Market Avenue got its name from the farmers' market where the Benoni Plaza was built and was renamed to "Princes Avenue" in honour of Prince George. Tom Jones Street was named after a former fire chief of Benoni.

Benoni has been honoured with three British royal visits, as well as several visits from Princess Charlene Wittstock of Monaco who grew up in Benoni.

Today Benoni remains an English speaking
JuteVilla