Benoni, Gauteng

Province

Benoni is a city in South Africa. It belongs to the province of Gauteng and is located in the Metropolitan Municipality Ekurhuleni, which was formerly known as the East Rand. 2011 Benoni had 158 777 inhabitants.

Name

In the area of ​​today's Benoni there was a same farm. The Hebrew name means "son of sorrow ". In the Book of Genesis is called the son of Rachel Ben- oni is also, but later ( German: " son of happiness " ) Benjamin called.

Geographical location

Benoni is located 1,645 meters above sea level in the eastern part of the Witwatersrand. To the west lies the town of Germiston, Johannesburg further west, south from west to east the towns of Boksburg, Brakpan and Springs.

History

1881 a piece of land was called east of Johannesburg Benoni. 1887 gold deposits were discovered there, and built a mine by miners from Cornwall, England. Benoni was then known commonly Little Cornwall ("Little Cornwall ").

1904 Benoni was a large settlement with numerous gold mines. A river was dammed several times to get water for the mining industry. 1906 Benoni was declared a city. Most residents were British. There were also many Jewish settlers who had fled anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe. 1907, the first synagogue and the first racecourse opened.

In 1922 the Church throughout the Witwatersrand held a strike of white miners, which resulted in an open revolt. The strike of the Communist Party of South Africa was supported. Benoni served during this time as a base for the mine workers. In and around Benoni fierce fighting took place, which are documented in the Benoni Museum.

During the Second World War, South African pilots of fighter aircraft in Benoni were trained. 1943 plunged the Benoni Benoni meteorite close to the ground.

During the apartheid era, the population was divided according to their skin color in different residential areas. Black dwelt among others in the townships Daveyton and Watt Ville, Asians lived in Actonville while White lived in the actual Benoni. The suburbs still exist, but are no longer separated strictly by skin color. Benoni has numerous neighborhoods with a high proportion of green.

2000 Benoni was part of the Ekurhuleni region.

Policy

The city is ruled by the African National Congress ( ANC). The Democratic Alliance ( DA) is in opposition.

Economy

Gold mining became less important. 1964 closed the last gold mine. For other industrial enterprises were built, such as the replica manufacturers Replicars. The service sector also plays an important role today. So Benoni serves as a center for services to neighboring towns such as Brakpan, Nigel and Springs.

Traffic

Benoni is located near the OR Tambo International Airport, the main airport in South Africa. In road transport, the city is connected to the N12.

Culture

The theater Sibikwa is a community theater that exists since 1989. 2000 was a part of the WOMAD festivals in Benoni.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Oliver Reginald Tambo (1917-1993), former Chairman of the ANC and namesake 's main airport in South Africa
• Charlize Theron ( born 1975 ), actress and Oscar winner
• Bryan Habana ( b. 1983 ), rugby union national team

Other personalities related to Benoni

• Charlene of Monaco ( b. 1978 ), wife of Albert II of Monaco and former swimmer, lived for several years in Benoni

Others

• Benoni considered as the place with the highest density of stables in the southern hemisphere.
• The internationally published film Crazy Monkey Presents Straight Outta Benoni with Brett Goldin plays in Benoni.