Brutish Bombelas: Trains for migrant gold miners in South Africa, c. 1900–25

Most African gold miners were migrants whose short term contracts began and ended with a long distance train trip in harsh conditions: overcrowding, discomfort and delays were rife on designated labour trains. Labour recruiters, enlightened railway officials, journalists and African representatives objected. The authorities responded slowly; expense and the unpredictability of demand were common explanations. Racism and disregard for uneducated human cargoes eased only when it became clear that the horrors of the train journey were deterring migrant workers, and that poor facilities threatened the health and pliability of the mine work force. (Original abstract - amended)