Heading down Bertrams street past the Ellis Park stadium in central Johannesburg, the bus rapid transit (BRT) system is not the only new development that will catch ones eye, as the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has unveiled its latest addition to public art, which commemorates the 1922 miners' strike.

The widening of the streets for the BRT meant that a number of the old mineworkers houses along Bertrams street had to be demolished. The JDA agreed with the Johannesburg Heritage organisation that an artwork would be commissioned to pay tribute to the strike, which became known as the Battle of Ellis Park.

The artwork is a mosaic covering the entire side of one of the remaining mineworkers houses, which faces the street. It depicts the armed revolt, showing silhouette images of the striking workers, as well as the soldiers on horseback.

The Johannesburg City Heritage plaque reads: "On March 10, 1922, the white miners' strike turned into an armed revolt against the Smuts' government. During the subsequent Rand revolt the rebels briefly established control in Jeppe, among other districts. On March 11, over 600 mostly unarmed men of the Jeppe and Denver Workers' commandoes led by captain Hall MC launched a surprise attack on the army depot at Ellis Park. About eight soldiers of 150 of the defending Imperial Light horse regiment, and an unknown number of strikers died."

JDA CEO Lael Bethlehem said that of all the public artwork that the City of Johannesburg has commissioned, that this was her personal favourite.

The remaining mineworkers houses were also refurbished by the JDA.