The discovery of diamonds in the Vaal River brought not only wealth but also land disputes. In an effort to control these conflicts, the Transvaal Government established a settlement in 1870 on the banks of the river, on the farm Zoutpansdrift, meaning "salt pan drift."
This town was named Christiana, in honor of Christiana Pretorius, the only daughter of President Pretorius of the old Transvaal. This naming underscored the political landscape of the time. The selling of the first residential stands in the same year marked the beginning of this new community.
Two years later, the discovery of diamonds in the nearby gravel beds of the Vaal River led to a predictable rush to Christiana. Although the initial frenzy subsided as diamond discoveries dwindled, Christiana continued to thrive.
Today, Christiana remains a symbol of this fascinating chapter in South African history. Occasional diamond finds still occur, linking the present to its illustrious past. Christiana stands as more than a historical footnote; it is a living reminder of a time when diamonds shaped the destiny of regions and their people.