African Economic History: Gold, Diamonds, and Social Transformation in Southern Africa, 1900-1990
Explore how gold and diamonds fuelled industrial expansion in the 20th century, shaping labour systems and entrenching segregation and apartheid in southern Africa, while transforming African life and embedding societies in global economic networks.
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What happens when vast mineral wealth transforms an entire region? This course explores how gold and diamonds reshaped Southern Africa in the twentieth century, driving rapid industrial expansion while producing new and often exploitative labour systems. You will examine how mining wealth underpinned segregation and apartheid, and how these forces transformed everyday life for African communities. Moving from the mines to the city and beyond, the course traces how local economies became deeply embedded in global networks, revealing the profound and lasting impact of extraction on society, politics, and economic life.
What will we cover?
The course will cover:
Mineral Discoveries and the Rise of the Mining Economy
Labour Systems and Racial Control in the Early Mining Industry
Resistance, Strikes, and the Rise of Labour Movements
Mining, Apartheid, and the World Economy
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Explain the development of gold and diamond mining industries in Southern Africa between 1900 and 1990
Analyse how mining shaped labour systems, including migrant labour and racialised forms of work
Assess the relationship between mineral wealth, industrialisation, and urban growth
Evaluate the role of mining capital in the development of segregation and apartheid
Analyse the social and economic impact of extractive industries on African communities
Assess Southern Africa’s position within global economic networks during the twentieth century
Interpret historical evidence and engage critically with debates in African economic history
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for complete beginners or those with a curiosity about the topi
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The session will include short lectures to introduce the topic and provide essential historical context, alongside dedicated discussion and group-based learning, with a particular emphasis on collaborative source analysis. Working together, you will explore primary and secondary materials to deepen your understanding of the topic.
These sources may include maps, photographs of artefacts, drawings, diary entries, and extracts from historical writing. Through structured discussion and group work, you will develop your ability to interpret evidence, ask critical questions, and engage with different perspectives.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Apeike Umolu is a historian of Black and African history, with a research focus on the 19th century. In addition to teaching at City Lit, she lectures at leading universities in the UK and Nigeria, teaching modules that cover modern African history, Black Atlantic history, the history of the Americas, and the history of the global south.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/african-economic-history-gold-diamonds-and-social-transformation-in-southern-africa-1900-19903060718African Economic History: Gold, Diamonds, and Social Transformation in Southern Africa, 1900-1990https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/o/south-african-mining.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history22851177117819761228511771178<p>Explore how gold and diamonds fuelled industrial expansion in the 20th century, shaping labour systems and entrenching segregation and apartheid in southern Africa, while transforming African life and embedding societies in global economic networks.</p>003060709African Economic History: Gold, Diamonds, and Social Transformation in Southern Africa, 1900-19907979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/o/south-african-mining_1.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-11-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH3157979African Economic History: Gold, Diamonds, and Social Transformation in Southern Africa, 1900-1990635179Apeike Umoluafrican-economic-history-gold-diamonds-and-social-transformation-in-southern-africa-1900-1990/hwh315-2627<p>Explore how gold and diamonds fuelled industrial expansion in the 20th century, shaping labour systems and entrenching segregation and apartheid in southern Africa, while transforming African life and embedding societies in global economic networks.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-13 00:00:00<p>What happens when vast mineral wealth transforms an entire region? This course explores how gold and diamonds reshaped Southern Africa in the twentieth century, driving rapid industrial expansion while producing new and often exploitative labour systems. You will examine how mining wealth underpinned segregation and apartheid, and how these forces transformed everyday life for African communities. Moving from the mines to the city and beyond, the course traces how local economies became deeply embedded in global networks, revealing the profound and lasting impact of extraction on society, politics, and economic life.</p><p>Explore how gold and diamonds fuelled industrial expansion in the 20th century, shaping labour systems and entrenching segregation and apartheid in southern Africa, while transforming African life and embedding societies in global economic networks.</p><p>The course will cover:</p><ol><li>Mineral Discoveries and the Rise of the Mining Economy</li><li>Labour Systems and Racial Control in the Early Mining Industry</li><li>Resistance, Strikes, and the Rise of Labour Movements</li><li>Mining, Apartheid, and the World Economy</li></ol><p>By the end of this course, you will be able to:</p><ul><li>Explain the development of gold and diamond mining industries in Southern Africa between 1900 and 1990</li><li>Analyse how mining shaped labour systems, including migrant labour and racialised forms of work</li><li>Assess the relationship between mineral wealth, industrialisation, and urban growth</li><li>Evaluate the role of mining capital in the development of segregation and apartheid</li><li>Analyse the social and economic impact of extractive industries on African communities</li><li>Assess Southern Africa’s position within global economic networks during the twentieth century</li><li>Interpret historical evidence and engage critically with debates in African economic history</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for complete beginners or those with a curiosity about the topi</p><p>The session will include short lectures to introduce the topic and provide essential historical context, alongside dedicated discussion and group-based learning, with a particular emphasis on collaborative source analysis. Working together, you will explore primary and secondary materials to deepen your understanding of the topic.</p><p>These sources may include maps, photographs of artefacts, drawings, diary entries, and extracts from historical writing. Through structured discussion and group work, you will develop your ability to interpret evidence, ask critical questions, and engage with different perspectives.</p><p>No. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes.</p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Browse all our African history courses here.</a></p>HistoryAfrican historyvirtual637951HWH315NONEFri13/11/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetApeike UmoluBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-13T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Culture, history & humanities7979African Economic History: Gold, Diamonds, and Social Transformation in Southern Africa, 1900-1990african-economic-history-gold-diamonds-and-social-transformation-in-southern-africa-1900-1990/hwh315-2627<p>Explore how gold and diamonds fuelled industrial expansion in the 20th century, shaping labour systems and entrenching segregation and apartheid in southern Africa, while transforming African life and embedding societies in global economic networks.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-13 00:00:00<p>What happens when vast mineral wealth transforms an entire region? This course explores how gold and diamonds reshaped Southern Africa in the twentieth century, driving rapid industrial expansion while producing new and often exploitative labour systems. You will examine how mining wealth underpinned segregation and apartheid, and how these forces transformed everyday life for African communities. Moving from the mines to the city and beyond, the course traces how local economies became deeply embedded in global networks, revealing the profound and lasting impact of extraction on society, politics, and economic life.</p><p>Explore how gold and diamonds fuelled industrial expansion in the 20th century, shaping labour systems and entrenching segregation and apartheid in southern Africa, while transforming African life and embedding societies in global economic networks.</p><p>The course will cover:</p><ol><li>Mineral Discoveries and the Rise of the Mining Economy</li><li>Labour Systems and Racial Control in the Early Mining Industry</li><li>Resistance, Strikes, and the Rise of Labour Movements</li><li>Mining, Apartheid, and the World Economy</li></ol><p>By the end of this course, you will be able to:</p><ul><li>Explain the development of gold and diamond mining industries in Southern Africa between 1900 and 1990</li><li>Analyse how mining shaped labour systems, including migrant labour and racialised forms of work</li><li>Assess the relationship between mineral wealth, industrialisation, and urban growth</li><li>Evaluate the role of mining capital in the development of segregation and apartheid</li><li>Analyse the social and economic impact of extractive industries on African communities</li><li>Assess Southern Africa’s position within global economic networks during the twentieth century</li><li>Interpret historical evidence and engage critically with debates in African economic history</li></ul><p>The course is suitable for complete beginners or those with a curiosity about the topi</p><p>The session will include short lectures to introduce the topic and provide essential historical context, alongside dedicated discussion and group-based learning, with a particular emphasis on collaborative source analysis. Working together, you will explore primary and secondary materials to deepen your understanding of the topic.</p><p>These sources may include maps, photographs of artefacts, drawings, diary entries, and extracts from historical writing. Through structured discussion and group work, you will develop your ability to interpret evidence, ask critical questions, and engage with different perspectives.</p><p>No. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes.</p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Browse all our African history courses here.</a></p>HistoryAfrican historyconfigurable
19761178African historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/african-history1/2/285/1177/1178/19761/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/African history
