Hammanskraal is a non-functional, trans-provincial region anchored in northern Gauteng Province, South Africa. The region consists of multiple, residential, industrial and commercial areas in a decentralized settlement pattern.
History
The historical roots of the region trace back to the 13th century and it is noted that the area around Gauteng province was initially occupied by the Batswana. The Batswana Chief Mokgatla dominated the area to the north of what we know today as Gauteng province and his descendants are known as the Bakgatla.
To this day, nearly half of the population of the Hammanskraal region are descendants of the Batswana nation signifying this historical fact.
According to oral narration, the Amandebele A Lebello settled the area around Hammanskaal close to Ramotse in the 1800s. The Amandebele originated in the eastern part of the country and now form an integral part of the region's community
The Great Trek that took place in the first half of the 19th century saw the inward movement of Dutch settlers from the Cape into the interior of South Africa. The Dutch settled the area to the north of what is today known as Pretoria in 1855. As time went by the Dutch settlers forcefully occupied land dispossessing the indigenous tribes in the process. The discovery of gold about 60 Kilometres to the south of Hammanskraal lead to a boom of economic activity in the region and the agricultural sector flourished.
Owing to the booming agricultural industry, a farmer by the name Hamman had a large agricultural venture where he owned a famous cattle barn. This barn was referred to in Afrikaans as Hammanskraal, named after the famous farmer.
The 1913 Natives Land Act and the implementation of the Apartheid laws by the 1940s saw a larger program of forced removals around the Pretoria, Witwatersrand and Vaal regions. These forced removals coupled with an increase of industrial activity saw an increase in the population of the Hammanskraal region.
With the increase in population numbers there was very little planning for the region. This ended up being a region of underserved residential neighborhoods serving as a dormitory town to surrounding industrial complexes with little development of infrastructure and industry within the region itself.
In 1972, the Bophuthatswana self governing state was established which had a profound impact on the developmental trajectory of the region. By 1977, Bophuthatswana had become an independent 'republic' in terms of the then government of South Africa's separate development policy.
As a result, a large artificial barrier was drawn and effectively splitting the Hammanskraal Region into two different countries. This once again had a profound impact in the developmental trajectory of the area and resulted in the continued decentralized settlement model that persists today.
It is worth noting that the Bophuthatswana Government did make a contribution to the development of the area albeit it under an unpopular political context. The Bophuthatswana government is credited with driving economic development by the constructing of the Babelegi Industrial Development Zone in the 1970s and the construction of the Carousel Casino in 1992. This and other investments in infrastructure, schools and utilities saw the generally underserved and overlooked region obtain some much needed economic injection in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Post the 1994 South African election, the region of Hammanskraal has seen a significant decline in service delivery, infrastructure and social development with the exception of the private sector investments leading to the building of shopping malls and private schools.
The Catholic church established St. Paul Minor Seminary and St. Peter Major Seminary, both in Hammanskraal. St Peters was established to train native African priests. It beceme a venue for anti-apartheid activity. Unsuccessful attempts in the 1970s to amalgamate with the predominately white St. John Vianney Seminary, due to opposition from St. Peters. Due to unrest the seminary closed, reopening in 1981 with a multi-racial student base.
Geography
Location
The region of Hammanskraal is located on the Far Northern Boundary of Gauteng Province and is strategically located at a trade way hub linking the North West Province, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng Province.
This makes Hammanskraal a Trans Provincial Region that functionally connected and spreads along 4 provinces. The only single Geographic area in South Africa that straddles 4 Provinces.
Boundaries
The boundaries are outlined in order to give definition to the Spatial composition of the Region.