The economics of the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela Tribal Authority: changing forms of chefly appropriation on the Patinum Belt

Abstract

The thesis seeks to explore how the flow of platinum mining capital into the Bakgatla area has created contestations over the authority and legitimacy of the chieftaincy. Its central argument is that, although is constituted primarily as a political force, the Bakgatla Tribal Authority has its economics which enable it to function as a corporate entity with the capacity to collect revenues in various forms. In order to prove that the Bakgatla Tribal Authority has its own economics, the thesis uses a three tier analysis of the various modes through which it has been able to collect revenues since its restructuring by the colonial state and settler capital. The first forms of revenue collection by the Bakgatla Tribal Authority, involved direct appropriation of revenues from the subjects in the form of taxes, levies and fines. The second form of revenue collection involves direct engagement with mining capital. The Bakgatla Tribal Authority has been able to interact with mining capital at two different levels. At the first level, it interacted with mining capital as a form of modern landed property, and was entitled to ground rent in the form of mining royalties. At the second level of interaction, which brings us to the contemporary period, the thesis will explore how the Bakgatla Tribal Authority has emerged as a shareholding partner in mining projects underway in its area. As a community share holder it now receives revenues in the form of share dividends from company profits.