| Summary: | The settlement history of the Vredefort Dome can be described as a process of
cultural development. The Vaal River hydrosphere, which was for many years a
prestigious settlement site, initially attracted large scale game and later livestock
farmers. The drifts were a central part of a network of early strategic
communication routes and outspans. From 1838, pioneer settlement, farm
occupation and agricultural development followed, and the area eventually
entered an agriculture-mining era. Gold-mining stimulated the regional economy
and also played a significant role in the development of towns in the area. The
Vaal River did not play a significant role from a mining perspective, but featured
more prominently in the development of villages and, in a sense, served as a
political boundary. The location of the water source often determined where people settled permanently. It also decided the position of the house and yard. From the outset, riparian dwellers attempted to manipulate the flow of the river by creating dams and utilising water for irrigation and domestic purposes. Drought conditions also left historical traces; water management projects upstream transformed the Vaal
River into a steadily flowing stream, which led to the economic and cultural
segregation of north and south. Man's fear associated with drought (too little
water), floods (too much water), meteorology (the necessity of water), and the role
of the supernatural (divining water) and superstition (the water snake stories) were
expressed in the interaction between people and this water environment. A wide
variety of people with distinct cultures lived alongside each other in the area.
Western and African cultural goods, as well as customs and beliefs, were mutually
adopted by these different cultural groups as a result of this contact.
The way land has been used in the Dome area has evolved over the years. The
culling of game made way for the permanent establishment of the livestocktravelling
farmer. Hereafter prolonged drought conditions destroyed pastures and, consequently, large areas of land were ploughed for agricultural use.
Agriculture, which is more labour intensive and needs more water for irrigation,
was replaced by game farming, which is less labour intensive and requires less
water This world heritage site has drawn global interest and ecotourism has attracted
visitors to the Vaal River area. The riparian dwellers, however, remain victims of
up-stream industrial and sewage pollution; in future, they are likely to fall prey to
acid mine water pollution, with disastrous consequences. === PhD (History), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2013
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