13 year-old South African Native mineworker is published in a newspaper

Updated: 17 Dec 2019

On 7 March 1960, a photograph of a 13 year-old Native boy in a torn vest was published in the front page of the London Labour paper, the Daily Herald, with the headline "The miner, aged 13." According to reports the boy was a miner at Clydesdale Colliery in Coalbrook, Orange Free State. The boy's wage was less than four pounds per month. The Daily Herald reported: "This is the sort of thing that could happen only in South Africa." In reaction, the Transvaal mining quarters said that the treatment of the boy's story is the sort of the thing that could happen only in London. According to the Native Labour Regulation Act, it was an offence to employ a Native in a mine under the age of 18 years. This act was amended by the Natives Laws Amendment Act of 1952.

How we know this

01Anon, (1960), 'Picture of "boy miner" used to smear S. Africa' from The Star, 10 March (Available at National Library of South Africa, Cape Town Campus) pg 1.
02Anon, (n.d.), '1911. Native Labour Regulation Act,' from O'Malley, [online], Available at www.nelsonmandela.org [Accessed: 02 March 2011]

Last updated · 17 Dec 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). 13 year-old South African Native mineworker is published in a newspaper. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011888

South African History Online (2011) '13 year-old South African Native mineworker is published in a newspaper', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011888 (Accessed: 24 October 2026).

South African History Online, 13 year-old South African Native mineworker is published in a newspaper [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011888, (accessed 24 October 2026).

"13 year-old South African Native mineworker is published in a newspaper." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011888. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "13 year-old South African Native mineworker is published in a newspaper." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011888.