Control of African Leisure Time in Durban in the 1930s

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Periodical article

Title:	Control of African Leisure Time in Durban in the 1930s
Author:	Vahed, Goolam H.
Year:	1998
Periodical:	Journal of Natal and Zulu History
Volume:	18
Pages:	67-123
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	leisure History and Exploration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Urbanization and Migration Ethnic and Race Relations Politics and Government
Abstract:	Several studies have made reference to the involvement of the State in the leisure-time activities of Africans in Durban, South Africa, in the 1930s. This phenomenon has, however, not been examined in detail, a void that this paper attempts to fill. It examines several popular leisure forms, either introduced to Africans by the local State, or which Africans themselves embraced, sometimes against the wishes of the local State. These popular leisure forms include a Bantu Social Centre, movies, the Ngoma dance, 'nontraditional' dance halls and sporting activities. The paper starts with introductory sections on African urbanization in Durban, the 1929 riots, and the role of the Native Welfare Officers J.T. Rawlins (1930-1934) and his successor, S.W.B. Shepstone. Ref.