Eerste fabrieken: die beginpunt van nywerheidsontwikkeling in die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek.
Abstract
• Opsomming:
In 1881 het die Volksraad van die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek 'n
Konsessie aan A.H. Nellmapius toegestaan om plaaslike produkte
te verwerk. Dit was die eerste stap om die Republiek wat pas politieke
onafhanklikheid verkry het, ook op die pad na ekonomiese onafhanklikheid
te plaas. In die loop van 1882 het Nellmapius in vennootskap
met Isaac en Barnett Lewis en Samuel Marks 'n fabriek oos
van Pretoria by die huidige Eerste Fabrieke opgerig. Hierdie fabriek
was reeds in Februarie 1883 gereed om sterk drank te lewer. S.J.P.
Kruger wat in Mei 1883 tot president van die ZAR gekies is, het
die amptelike ingebruikneming van die fabriek op 6 Junie 1883 waargeneem.
Die bedrywighede van die onderneming wat later deur Nellmapius
se vennote oorgeneem is, het in die daaropvolgende jare
aansienlik uitgebrei. Wysigings aan die Drankwet ingevolge waarvan
die verkoop van sterk drank aan Swartes aan die Rand in 1896
verbied is, het egter tot die agteruitgang van die onderneming bygedra
en met die inname van Pretoria in 1900 deur die Britse magte is
produksie finaal gestaak. • Summary:
In 1881 the Volksraad of the Transvaal Republic granted A.H.
Nellmapius a concession for the processing of local produce. This
was the first step on the road to economic self-sufficiency of the
Republic which had only recently regained its political independence.
During 1882 Nellmapius in partnership with Isaac and Barnett Lewis
and Samuel Marks established a factory east of Pretoria at the
present Eerste Fabrieke. By February 1883 they were already producing
spirituous liquor. The factory was officially opened on 6 June
1883 by S.J.P. Kruger who was elected president in May 1883. The
undertaking, which in due course was taken over by Nellmapius'
partners, expanded considerably in the following years. However,
a severe setback was experienced when in 1896 the Liquor Law was
amended and the sale of alcohol to Blacks on the Rand was strictly
forbidden. This led to a steady decline in business and with the occupation
of Pretoria by the British forces in 1900 production was finally
stopped.