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The South African war effort

General Smuts becomes a member of the six-man British War Cabinet and makes a great contribution to the war effort. Over 12 000 South Africans, including over 3 000 Africans and 700 coloureds, are killed in the various theatres of war. In 1917 the SS Mendi goes down in the English Channel after it is accidentally rammed by an allied ship. It sinks in 20 minutes and all on board are lost, including 802 African soldiers.

The gold mines continue operating throughout the war and the Bank of England takes over the entire output of the Witwatersrand.

The ss mendi sank on 21 february 1917
The SS Mendi sank on 21 february 1917
South african soldiers in east africa
South african soldiers in East Africa

Decade 1908

The fond memories of two St Mary's College Old Girls The South African war effort Johannesburg City Hall and Art Gallery completed Confrontation between capital and labour Race relations, the Union's biggest conundrum Creation of the Union of South Africa