The first site in the history of South African archaeology where gold objects were excavated, was Mapungubwe in Limpopo province, dating to 1,000 - 1,300 AD. Together with Great Zimbabwe and Thulamela, Mapungubwe formed part of a complex trading culture through which the gold of Africa reached Arabia, India and Phoenicia.
The history of the Pilgrim's Rest gold fields dates back to ancient times when unknown miners worked the quartz reefs for gold. Evidence of their diggings can still be found throughout northern and eastern South Africa and Zimbabwe.[url]http://www.pilgrims-rest.co.za/history/index.html[/url]