South African units of measurement


A number of units of measurement were used in South Africa to measure quantities like length, mass, capacity, etc. The Imperial system of measurements was made standard in 1922 and the metric system was adopted in 1970.

System before metric system

British and old Dutch systems were used.

Length

The Rhynland rood was a standard Dutch measurement. It was changed in 1859 to the "Cape Foot" due to a drift in standards.

Cloth measures

Mass

One bundle was equal to 0.699 lbs. ..

Area

One morgen was equal to..

Capacity

Several units were used. Some units are provided below:

Dry measures

These were used to measure rice and salt.

Corn measures

These were used to measure grain.

Liquid measures

The country didn't have a unified system of liquid measurement in the 19th century because the Afrikaners used the Dutch gallon and the British used the Imperial gallon. When measuring alcohol, the British system was used only for ale and beer and the Dutch system was used only for wine, brandy and distilled spirits. This was due to specialization in the two colonies, which were not united until 1910. Vintning was more common among the Boer farmers of the Western Cape, who dominated the industry. Meanwhile, the British farmers grew grain that could be brewed into beer. Wine was for export and beer, which was perishable, was for domestic consumption. Each community used their own standard measurement systems to store, sell and ship their wares.
Ale & beer
The firkin, kilderkin, barrel, hogshead, and butt were traditional British measurements of capacity for standard ale and beer containers. They were based on the British ale gallon..
Beer bottles in South Africa were different than in other countries.
Wine
The Dutch East India company used the Cape of Good Hope as a waystation between Europe and the East Indies in the 17th and 18th centuries. Dutch sailors drank the local wine to combat scurvy and exported barrels of it back to Europe. This was followed by the British government's policy of encouraging the wine and brandy industry in South Africa in the early- to mid-19th century through subsidies and low tariffs.
The kanne, anker, ahm, and legger are obsolete 17th century Dutch measurements of capacity that were used for standard containers of wine and spirits. The standard "Dutch gallon" used was based on that of Amsterdam. They were typically sold in ankers, half-aums, and leggers until 1922, when the Imperial measurement system went into effect.
Gasoline
Gasoline was formerly sold in Imperial gallons , but was switched to litres after the adoption of the metric system.