Provide THREE reasons why there were indentured labourers in South Africa.
1. Labor shortages: With the expansion of industries like mining, agriculture, and construction in South Africa during the 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a high demand for cheap labor. Indentured laborers from India, China, and other places were brought in to fill this gap.
2. Economic incentives: Indentured laborers were often brought to South Africa under contractual agreements that promised them wages, food, and accommodation in exchange for their work. For many people in impoverished regions, this offered an opportunity to improve their economic situation and prospects for a better future.
3. Colonial policies: The colonial government in South Africa facilitated the recruitment and transportation of indentured laborers as a means of furthering economic development in the country. By bringing in cheap labor, the government hoped to boost production and increase profits for industries that were crucial to the colony's economy.