Benoni

History

Benoni appears towards 1881 starting from grounds still not allotted in the area. This difficult birth is the source of its biblical name, “Ben oni”, Hebrew first name given by Rachel to its twelfth wire, right before dying in layers, which means “wire of misfortune”. (His/her father, Jacob, will re-elect it “Benjamin” or “wire of the right hand).

In September 1887, one discovers Or there. They are minors originating in Cornouailles which exploits it and the zone is a time called “Little Cornwall” (“Small Cornouailles”).

Sir George Farrar, director of a mining company, makes carry out astute work in 1904, which brings the water of the mines towards tanks and ponds to the surface, which are still exploited nowadays for the leisures and fishing.

Benoni acquires the statute of municipality in 1907.

In 1922, the great strike of the minors of the Witwatersrand seriously affects Benoni which becomes one of the hearths of the dispute.

During the Apartheid (which starts officially in 1948), the authorities make build the black townships of Daveyton and Wattville, near Benoni which remains a white enclave. The township of Actonville accommodates primarily Indians. If apartheid from now on officially disappeared, zoning remains.

With the downturn of mining industry, Benoni had to adapt and open with industry and the services, which it succeeds in doing, benefitting in particular from its proximity with the international airport of Johannesburg.

The city draws also its celebrity from the actress Charlize Theron, victorious of a Oscar in 2003, which was born in Benoni.

Celebrities born in Benoni

Bryan Habana, South-African rugby player
Brian Liebenberg, French rugby player
Brian Mitchell, boxer
Charlize Theron, actress

Internal bonds

Benoni First United Football Club, the professional football club of the city.

External bond

History of Benoni

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