Township of Benoni Golden Jubilee - commemorative badge (1956)
The settlement at Benoni in Gauteng Province, South Africa was declared a municipality in 1906 and renamed as the Township of Benoni. This badge which depicts the old Benoni coat-of-arms, was issued in 1956 as part of the golden jubilee commemorations of that event.
Benoni and its environs were first settled in the first half 19th century by the Voortrekkers (Boers) and the first farmlands there were granted by the Transvaal Government in 1862. By the 1870, the lands at Benoni has been sold off and divided into four farmlands. Unfortunately for the Boers, it was later discovered that their farms were rich in gold and coal deposits. The first gold was accidently discovered there in 1887, which led to the Witwatersrand Goldrush and a sudden influx of prospectors (Uitlanders) hoping to make their fortunes. For most did not strike it rich and eventually only the large industrial gold mining complexes that developed could make sufficient profits. Extracting the low concentrations of gold from the rock required deep-mining, which was a complex and capital intensive process that was not affordable to the small scale prospectors. The spread of railways throughout South Africa during the 1890’s and the building of dams for a reliable water supply also helped open up Benoni and make it more habitable. Extensive coal deposits were also discovered at Benoin and the first coal mine was opened there in 1897.
By 1900, the settlement at Benoni already had its taverns, post office, stores and by 1906 there were already 200 houses with around 600 inhabitants. As coal and gold mining declined in importance, the town came to rely more on light industry and services. In 1981 Benoin was declared a City and has around 160,000 inhabitants (2011 Census: 158,777 – 38.1% white & 45.2% black). English is the main language spoken in the region.
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References:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benoni,_Gauteng
benonicitytimes.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2013/10... (A more detailed early history for the Township of Benoni).
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The Benoini coat-of-arms
The Benoni coat of arms, commissioned in 1937 was drawn up by the College of Heralds in England and registered with South African Bureau of Heraldry in Pretoria in 1966.
The Motto ‘Auspicium Melioris Aevi” means “A pledge for better times.”
The ‘Four Farms’ or fonteins, (Rietfontein, Vlakfontein, Modderfontein and Kleinfontein) are immortalized by the four silver and blue roundels (or bezants in heraldic terms with the colours denoting fountains in heraldry) in the border of the shield whilst the four bezants of gold symbolize the gold-mining industry. •
The triple castle in the centre is derived from the arms of the town of Bedford in England of Sir George Farrar’s’ origins whilst the triple escallops occur in the Duke of Bedford’s arms.
The arm wielding a hammer represents industry and the rising sun behind it expresses hope for the ascending destiny of the municipality.
The two South African Springbok wear triple bezants in their collars, also representing the gold mining industry.
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Enamels: 5 (blue, yellow, brown, red & black).
Finish: Chrome plated.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 1 3/16” diameter (30mm).
Process: Die stamped.
Imprint: METAL ART. BOX 1483. PRETORIA.
Township of Benoni Golden Jubilee - commemorative badge (1956)
The settlement at Benoni in Gauteng Province, South Africa was declared a municipality in 1906 and renamed as the Township of Benoni. This badge which depicts the old Benoni coat-of-arms, was issued in 1956 as part of the golden jubilee commemorations of that event.
Benoni and its environs were first settled in the first half 19th century by the Voortrekkers (Boers) and the first farmlands there were granted by the Transvaal Government in 1862. By the 1870, the lands at Benoni has been sold off and divided into four farmlands. Unfortunately for the Boers, it was later discovered that their farms were rich in gold and coal deposits. The first gold was accidently discovered there in 1887, which led to the Witwatersrand Goldrush and a sudden influx of prospectors (Uitlanders) hoping to make their fortunes. For most did not strike it rich and eventually only the large industrial gold mining complexes that developed could make sufficient profits. Extracting the low concentrations of gold from the rock required deep-mining, which was a complex and capital intensive process that was not affordable to the small scale prospectors. The spread of railways throughout South Africa during the 1890’s and the building of dams for a reliable water supply also helped open up Benoni and make it more habitable. Extensive coal deposits were also discovered at Benoin and the first coal mine was opened there in 1897.
By 1900, the settlement at Benoni already had its taverns, post office, stores and by 1906 there were already 200 houses with around 600 inhabitants. As coal and gold mining declined in importance, the town came to rely more on light industry and services. In 1981 Benoin was declared a City and has around 160,000 inhabitants (2011 Census: 158,777 – 38.1% white & 45.2% black). English is the main language spoken in the region.
.
References:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benoni,_Gauteng
benonicitytimes.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2013/10... (A more detailed early history for the Township of Benoni).
.
The Benoini coat-of-arms
The Benoni coat of arms, commissioned in 1937 was drawn up by the College of Heralds in England and registered with South African Bureau of Heraldry in Pretoria in 1966.
The Motto ‘Auspicium Melioris Aevi” means “A pledge for better times.”
The ‘Four Farms’ or fonteins, (Rietfontein, Vlakfontein, Modderfontein and Kleinfontein) are immortalized by the four silver and blue roundels (or bezants in heraldic terms with the colours denoting fountains in heraldry) in the border of the shield whilst the four bezants of gold symbolize the gold-mining industry. •
The triple castle in the centre is derived from the arms of the town of Bedford in England of Sir George Farrar’s’ origins whilst the triple escallops occur in the Duke of Bedford’s arms.
The arm wielding a hammer represents industry and the rising sun behind it expresses hope for the ascending destiny of the municipality.
The two South African Springbok wear triple bezants in their collars, also representing the gold mining industry.
.
Enamels: 5 (blue, yellow, brown, red & black).
Finish: Chrome plated.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 1 3/16” diameter (30mm).
Process: Die stamped.
Imprint: METAL ART. BOX 1483. PRETORIA.