In the face of oppression and hardship, creative outlets emerge as a source of community and support. In South Africa, in the harsh living conditions of blacks brought about by the rapid industrialization of the mining revolution, a new musical style developed as a solace for beleaguered workers. It transcended their many monetary and racial differences, successfully uniting people whose only thing in common was their shared submission. The unique blend of traditional African rhythm, combined with the influence of the burgeoning American jazz movement, gave birth to a unique neo-African song style called Marabi. Music communicated political frustration, protest, and provided an escape from everyday adversity. Yet its ultimate power lay in its ability to instill national pride and unity, challenging the disparaging racial thinking imposed on black South Africa during the late 19th century. The mining revolution transformed South Africa from an underdeveloped agriculture-based society to an agriculture-based society. industrialized nation in the space of a few years, completely altering the social and political sphere. It all started in 1867 with the discovery of diamonds near the convergence of the Orange and Vaal rivers. The diamond rush was well underway in the 1870s, but was overtaken in the 1880s by the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand reef. Gold soon became South Africa's main export, creating incredible wealth for white business owners. This enormous profitability was based on the exploitation of a large group of impoverished black workers. The European ideals of social Darwinism and scientific racism prevalent at the time guided British policy towards the native populations of the colonies. Black people in South Africa were a… middle of paper… topher. Marabi Nights: Jazz, 'Race' and Society. Durban: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2012. Print.Byrnes M., Rita. The mineral revolution. Library of Congress, 1996. Web. April 13, 2014. Gilbert, Donald Wood. "The Economic Effects of Gold Discoveries on South Africa: 1886-1910". Quarterly Journal of Economics 47.4 (1933): 553-597. Business origination completed. Network. 13 April 2014.Gwangwa, Jonas, van Aurich, Fulco. The melody of freedom. South African History Online, nd Web. 13 April 2014.Magubane, Bernard. "The Political Economy of the South African Revolution". Michigan State University Libraries, Web. April 13, 2014Meintjes, Louise. Rev. of Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville, by Christopher Ballantine. Popular Music, 15.2 (1996): 245-247. Network. 13 April 2014.South African music: Marabi. South Africa.info, ndWeb. April 13. 2014.