Early history of Randburg The earliest known inhabitants of the area now called Randburg were indigenous tribes who roamed the open
veld. Evidence of their Iron Age craftsmanship, including tools and pottery, can still be found on some of the local koppies (small hills). However, much about their culture and history remains undocumented and largely unknown.
The Boer Settlements Randburg's recorded history began in the mid-19th century when Boer pioneers settled four farms in the area: Klipfontein, Driefontein, Olievenhoutspoort, and Boskop. These farms were later subdivided among the sons of the original farmers, following the tradition of the time. Driefontein, one of the largest farms, originally stretched from the northern boundary of Bryanston to present-day Braamfontein, eventually being divided into nine plots. One of the plots was purchased by Charles Rocher, a Frenchman from
Bordeaux, Although economically linked to Johannesburg, residents chose to create their own town council. The name
Randburg was chosen in a competition, and is derived from the
South African Rand currency, which was introduced at around the same time that the new municipality was established in 1959. Like other affluent northern suburbs of Johannesburg, the area was regarded as relatively liberal and elected
Democratic Party members of parliament. As Apartheid ended, it became more supportive of
F. W. de Klerk's reform-minded
National Party. In 1962, it became a municipality. The resident demographic of Randburg tends to be more affluent than most of Johannesburg. The area was declared as a white area during the
Apartheid era, but post-apartheid has attracted a varied population. In 2001, it was still predominantly occupied by white English and
Afrikaans suburbanites. == Geography ==