Eerste fabrieken: die beginpunt van nywerheidsontwikkeling in die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek

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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.