Proof: Johannesburg named after Minister of mines

Proof: Johannesburg named after  Minister of mines.

The naming of Johannesburg 8 September 1886 

It was the fastest growing town in the world at the time. Spurred on by the very rich gold reefs in the ground it meant that lot of decisions had to be made quickly and a lot of necessary paperwork needed to be attended to. This included a layout of the township that provided for commercial and municipal facilities, roads, and, of course, the areas that were demarcated for the gold claims.

The person initially responsible for the town layout was a surveyor, one Johann Rissik, surveyor-general of the Transvaal Republic. He, in consultation with the Minister of Mines, Christiaan Johannes Joubert, had to decide on the layout and they had to name the new development to apply to the plans. Joubert suggested that they use Rissik’s christian name but Rissik was against the idea because the result, using his name, Johannburg, did not appeal to him at all, he thought it harsh. So he suggested that Johannesburg, using Joubert’s second name, sat more easily on the tongue.

They then presented their findings to President Kruger who was quite pleased that his second name would also be attached to the development.

In going through all the writings about the town you will find many suggestions regarding the naming, attaching almost every Johannes in the town to the event, and there were quite a few of them. It was also falsely suggested that the town was actually named after the President but this was most unlikely. Firstly, he was known locally and internationally as Paul Kruger, many calling him “oom Paul” (uncle Paul). Had they called the town Paulburg, Paultown, or something similar it would make sense, but they did not. He was, in fact, already honored in the naming of Krugersdorp, and in the naming of a suburb of Springs called Paul Krugersoord which was situated on his farm called Geduld in the Springs area. Paul Kruger was not a vain man.

Magistrate Ahrens, in his book “From Bench to Bench” states without question that the town was named after Christiaan Johannes Joubert, generally known as Johannes Joubert. The magistrate was a highly intelligent and talented man who served the Republic well in a variety of roles during his life.

He also reveals that the Minister had a huge beard which revealed his advancing age, so he colored it using Condy’s Crytals which amused the president!

Proof: Johannesburg named after Minister of mines.

Magistrate Ahren’s view is supported by the press report citing Mrs. Harry Rissik, daughter in law of Johann Rissik. She had discussed the naming process with her father in law.

The original township Johannesburg is still listed as a separate suburb in the greater City of Johannesburg. If you have had the privilege of owning property in the original Johannesburg you will be aware of this. The adjoining suburbs such as Marshalltown, Jeppe, Clifton, Turffontein, Ferreira’s Town and so on were declared separately.

The attached scan is of the article published in The Star 26 January 1968. The cutout is quite old but it clearly states that Johann Rissik told his daughter in law that he was not happy about using his name Johann for the town but that he proposed that they used the Minister of Mines’ second name Johannes in forming the name Johannesburg.

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Proof: Johannesburg named after Minister of Mines:

C.J. Joubert – Minister of Mines – after whom Johannesburg was named: