The whole landscape of this region of South Africa has changed since the era of the discovery of gold and coal, making it a hub of industrialisation. Small towns and villages have become large and prosperous and others have been incorporated as suburbs of neighbouring large towns. Farming was a prime activity, particularly in the Southern Highveld and had been carried on from generation to generation of Jewish families. Those farmers changed the face of farming in this country by introducing innovative methods which turned farming into a modern, mechanised industry. Equally significant has been the involvement of the Jewish population to more urban- based commercial and industrial developments. Indeed, the Jewish contribution to the development of South Africa, in the spheres of commerce,industry, agricultural,the professions , the arts and sports, is disproportionate to the size of the community.