Sanddrif is a town in Richtersveld Local Municipality in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, on the banks of the Orange River.[2] It is located 57 km east of Alexander Bay.[3]

Sanddrif
Sanddrif Show map of Northern Cape Sanddrif Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 28°25′38″S 16°46′38″E
Country	South Africa
Province	Northern Cape
District	Namakwa
Municipality	Richtersveld
Area [1]
• Total	2.70 km2 (1.04 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	1,854
• Density	690/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	17.4%
• Coloured	78.5%
• Indian/Asian	0.2%
• White	3.3%
• Other	0.6%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Afrikaans	78.2%
• Xhosa	12.9%
• English	1.9%
• Tswana	1.1%
• Other	5.9%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)

Mining in the region began in the 1900s leading to the displacement of the indigenous Nama people. Diamond mines were again established in the 1970s, bringing a source of employment but also socio-economic upheaval, threatening the traditional Nama lifestyle.[3] The subsequent migration of Xhosa people who came to the area to work in the mines led Sanddrif to acquire the nickname of "Rainbow Town".[4] Sanddrif has nevertheless seen ethnic conflict between the indigenous Namas and the Xhosa migrants.[5]

The Baken diamond mine, located outside Sanddrif, was opened by Trans Hex Group in May 2001.[6]

References

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