Mining in South Africa

South Africa is known for its vast array of minerals, and the massive mining industries that take place there to control them.  A common one is diamonds which began getting mined in this region in the late 1800’s.  The “diamond rush” took place here beggining in 1871 when one of the first decently sized diamonds was found on the slopes in Colesberg kopje.  Miners came from all over the world to take part in the idea of getting rich off diamonds.  Most of these immigrants were white and worked for companies such as De Beers, a powerful and well known diamond distributor.  This industry brought wealth and power to many, except for the natives and the very land that was being destroyed for its resources.  In todays world this continues to be a common trend leaving natives poor while foreign industries profit beyond belief.  A trend that is not only destroying valuable land around the world but the people who live on it.

CBS speical

For many people that watched the final four recently on tv, they might of caught a glimpse of the video before the games about a boy who created fundraiser called hoops for hope.  The video talks about how he went about doing it and how it benefits many African orphans who have lost their parents to AIDS.  It is a very interesting video and you should check it out. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mheJ5iXXeH0

Fair Trade in South Africa

Recently in Ces 440 we have been discussing the concept of Fair Trade around the world.  South Africa is also partaking in this process and is hoping it will help promote social and economic development among the beneficiaries throughout the country.  In doing so products produced in this area under fair trade regulations will be labeled in a manner so the final consumer will be assured this process was followed.  Hopefully this will create a market for these products in this area and will help many farmers and laborers who were left out of the main portion of profits made off the very products they produced.  Many of the products produced here under these regulations are agricultural such as oranges.  With regulations over commodities traded globally such as these it is South Africa’s hope that it will boost their economy and the way of life for many throughout the country.