Capital accumulation and the allocation of residential buildings in African townships on the Witwatersrand, 1980-1985

Abstract

A seemingly interminable shortage of "adequate" shelter haunts the lives of a substantial number of residents of African townships…. This paper investigates the activities involved in the accumulation of capital through construction of dwellings in Witwatersrand African townships. It attempts to explain the manner in which building construction, development and financial firms conduct their business, and to crystallise the effects of these business activities on the delivery of residential buildings in the townships. The Witwatersrand was chosen as the area of study because a relatively large amount of building activity occurs there.