Organisation and repression in the transition to confrontation: The case of Kagiso, 1985-1986

Date
1990-02
Authors
Seekings, Jeremy
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Abstract
This paper focuses on the experiences of Kagiso, a medium-sized township on the West Rand. Kagiso was one of several major townships - Soweto and Mamelodi were others - which remained relatively 'quiescent' during 1984-85, to erupt into mass protest and violent conflict in 1985-86. An explanation of the development of township politics in Kagiso must take into account the role of regional and national organisations (in particular the UDF) and events, i.e. precisely those factors which underlie conspiratorial interpretations of ‘unrest’ in South Africa's townships. This paper seeks to explain how regional factors impacted on local township politics, contributing to the latter's transformation.
Description
African Studies Seminar series. Paper presented February 1990
Keywords
South Africa. Politics and government, 1978-1989
Citation