What caused the 1920 strike by Black mineworkers in Johannesburg?

The 1920 strike by Black mineworkers in Johannesburg was primarily driven by the severe economic pressure of wartime inflation, which significantly eroded the real wages of Black workers.12

During this period, Black workers faced a difficult environment characterized by low wages and rising costs of living. In February 1920, approximately 70,000 African gold miners halted production for one week to demand better wages and improved working conditions. This action was part of a broader wave of labor unrest across several cities as Black workers sought to address the disparity between their earnings and the economic realities of the time.21

The strike was met with force, as soldiers and police were deployed to break the protest. The intervention resulted in 11 deaths and over 100 injuries, with the army eventually forcing the miners to return to work underground at bayonet point.12