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This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

1904. Transvaal Labour Importation Ordinance

This was to "facilitate the importation of Chinese indentured labourers" (Allen 1992: 173). However, it "was designed to protect the interests of European miners and traders ... It stipulated that the Chinese could be employed only in the 'exploitation of minerals' within the Witwatersrand district" (Allen 1992: 174). Thus it specifically "prohibited the employment of Chinese in fifiy- five scheduled occupations, including such non-mining trades as bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, painting, gardening and clerical work" (Simons & Simons 1969: 83).

"The right to recruit Chinese workers was withdrawn by the British government in November 1906" (Allen 1992: 173).

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.