Monarch regenerated

Monarch has indeed come a long way. Rural poverty and the allure of town life drove people to the new settlement of Monarch, especially after the discovery of gold there. The decline in demand for gold globally and the subsequent closure of the Monarch gold mines forced those who remained and had the means, to divert into other commercial activities such as agriculture, while the vast majority, especially the locals, fell into poverty and destitution. The densely populated settlement also became an environmental nightmare because there were no toilets.

Alcoholism as well as both street and domestic violence became its trademarks as township pubs, or shebeens, became a source of income for the unemployed women who brewed all sorts of alcoholic drinks for sale to make ends meet.