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 metric system was adopted in 1970 in South Africa.^[1]

System before metric system

British and old Dutch systems were used.^[2]

Length

One elle was equal to 0.685 m.^[2]

Mass

One bundle was equal to 0.317 5 kg.^[2]

Area

One morgen was equal to 85 000 m².^[2]

Capacity

Several units were used. Some units are provided below:

1 gantang = 9.2 l

1 balli = 5 gantang

1 muid = 109.1 l

1 legger = 516 l

1 kanne = 1/388 legger

1 ahm = 1/4 legger.^[2]

References

1. Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
2. Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. 1. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. p. 13.