Inanda, August 1985: 'Where wealth and power and blood reign worshipped gods'

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Periodical article

Title:	Inanda, August 1985: 'Where wealth and power and blood reign worshipped gods'
Author:	Sitas, Ari
Year:	1985
Periodical:	South African Labour Bulletin
Volume:	11
Issue:	4
Pages:	85-121
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	segregation rebellions 1985
Abstract:	The carnage in Durban's townships in August 1985 left behind the burnt-out shells of shopping centres, 75 deaths and over 1,000 injuries, and a burning uncertainty over the future of the area. The first part of this, provisional, paper argues that the struggle for dominance in black townships in Durban has to do with the frustrations, aspirations and practices of urban fractions of a black petty bourgeoisie. The second part outlines the socio-economic conditions which lie at the root of the carnage in the townships. The third section establishes that another reason is related to the widespread politicisation taking place in Durban's black townships without it cohering into an organised challenge to conditions of oppression. The fourth section outlines the social drama of the violence. Finally, the fifth raises some of the implications of all this for the local labour movement. Notes.