Today in History: wenera

Gather round children, let me explain what you’re talking about when you refer to the diaspora as “ku wenera”.

The Witwatersrand Native Labour Association, more usually known by its initials WNLA or more popularly as “Wenela” was set up by the gold mines in South Africa as a recruiting agency for migrant workers.

Eventually it comprised a large organisation, with its own depots, buses and aeroplanes, spread over the whole of Southern Africa – South Africa, Basutoland, Swaziland, South West Africa, Bechuanaland, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Angola, Mocambique, extending into the Belgian Congo and Tanganyika.

If you don’t know, now you know.

You’re welcome.

Bonus point: SASCAM – “Salisbury Association for the Care of the African Mentally Handicapped”