How Do You Spell TRANSVAAL PROVINCE?

Pronunciation: [tɹansvˈɑːl pɹˈɒvɪns] (IPA)

Transvaal Province was a former province of South Africa that existed between 1910 and 1994. The spelling of Transvaal Province is trans-"vahl" with the "a" pronounced as /æ/ and the "l" as /l/. The word "Transvaal" is derived from the Dutch language and means "beyond the Vaal River." The province was divided into four regions, namely, Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vereeniging, Northern Transvaal, Eastern Transvaal, and Western Transvaal. The province was abolished following the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic government in South Africa.

TRANSVAAL PROVINCE Meaning and Definition

  1. Transvaal Province was a former administrative division in South Africa that existed from 1910 to 1994. Spanning from the foundation of the Union of South Africa until the country's transition to a non-racial democracy, the Transvaal Province was one of the four original provinces established in the Union constitution.

    Geographically, it covered a vast area in the northeastern part of the country, bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho. The province was named after the Transvaal, a historical region that played a significant role in South Africa's history, particularly during the Boer Wars.

    The Transvaal Province had a rich cultural diversity, with various ethnic, linguistic, and racial groups. Its population included indigenous Africans, predominantly the Ndebele, Tswana, and Sotho people, as well as significant communities of Afrikaners, English-speaking South Africans, and Indian and Cape Malay immigrants.

    The province was economically prosperous, fueled by its rich mineral resources, especially gold and diamonds. This contributed to the development of thriving industries, such as mining, manufacturing, and agriculture, making it an influential economic hub within the country.

    Following the end of apartheid, the Transvaal Province was disestablished and divided into four new provinces: Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and part of North West Province. The division aimed to promote decentralization and equitable distribution of resources while reflecting the diverse demographics and cultures of the region.

Etymology of TRANSVAAL PROVINCE

The word "Transvaal" is derived from Afrikaans, which in turn comes from Dutch. "Trans" means "across" or "beyond", while "vaal" refers to the Vaal River, which runs through the region. Therefore, "Transvaal" can be translated as "across/beyond the Vaal". The name was given to the province due to its location situated to the north of the Vaal River. Previously, the region was known as the South African Republic or Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek in Dutch.