Contrary to popular belief, the Gum Boot was not born in the mines, but at the beginning of the century in the port of Durban. The dockers were given gum boots to protect them form dangerous product they were unloading. They quickly discovered that their boots possessed hidden talents. They took their find with them when they migrated to the gold mines. It become quickly popular and earned itself the name of Miners’ Dance. Today’s young generation will probably never work in the mines, but they carry on the tradition just like the group “Bafana for peace”, guys for peace. “White people job, we dance the gum boot. It keeps us out of mischief.”