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The article below explores the historical debate surrounding the origin of Johannesburg's name. It was written by Dr. Oscar Norwich, noted Johannesburg historian and collector, and appeared in 'Between the Chains' the journal of the Johannesburg Historical Foundation. Thank you to the Norwich family for their kind permission to publish this article from Dr. Norwich's archives.
After the discovery of gold on the main reef in the middle of 1886, the Government decided to send Christian Johannes Joubert and Johann Rissik to go as a commission to investigate the area to be proclaimed. They reported back on 12th August and the Government decided on their findings to select a large triangular piece of ground in their possession - named Randjeslaagte - no man's land - as a site of a new village. Why the name Randjeslaagte was not retained is completely unknown.
Johann Rissik (Wikipedia)
On 3rd October 1886, Captain Carl von Brandis, the first appointed Mining Commissioner, wrote to the State Secretary, informing him of a plan he had received from the Surveyor-General and that the place would be called Johanensburg - reproduced in facsimile in a book named "A history of the discovery of the Witwatersrand" by E.L. and J. Gray. This is the document No. 4996/86 and to this day it has never been found. It unfortunately did not state after which Johannes Johannesburg was named. When this was raised to President Kruger in Pretoria, he indicated that he also was a Johannes.
Statue of Carl von Brandis in the Johannesurg City Centre (The Heritage Portal)
Various sources subsequently provided views as to which Johannes was used. There were four contenders, two named Johannes (Joubert and Kruger) and two Johanns (Rissik and Meyer). Many secondary sources and hearsay evidence evolved over the years, almost to the present. In 1971, "Die Vaderland" carried an article by a Mr. M.S. Appelgryn, quoting a departmental note by Johann Rissik dated 9th September 1896, in which he states that Johannesburg was named after himself and C.J. Joubert. This is of great importance as it is the only written official statement from any person whose name has been associated with Johanesburg.
From such varied sources and detailed researches, the Johannesburg City Council on 25th November 1975, decided that the name Johannesburg would be after the Acting Surveyor-General, Johann Rissik and Christian Johannes Joubert. This decision was celebrated on 1st October 1976 at the Civic Centre, when a sculptured bust of each of these personalities was unveiled in the presence of many Municipal, Provincial and Government notables. The presence of the living descendants of these two men formed a sentimental link. These imposing busts are permanently kept at the entrance to the Council Chamber.
Johannesburg Skyline (The Heritage Portal)
About the author: Dr. Oscar Norwich was a medical doctor and passionate collector who focused on African maps and Johannesburg history. As founder of the Johannesburg Historical Foundation, he led city tours and tirelessly sought rare historical items related to Johannesburg. In 1986, he published a large folio-sized book of his Johannesburg postcard collection to commemorate the city's centenary. Norwich also authored several books on African and Southern African maps. His significant map collection was eventually acquired by Stanford University in the USA, though it remains accessible to scholars online.
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