DOCSLIB.ORG

Emerging Political Subjectivities in a Post Migrant Labour Regime: Mobilisation, Participation and Representation of Foreign Workers in South Africa (1980-2013)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Emerging Political Subjectivities in a Post Migrant Labour Regime: Mobilisation, Participation and Representation of Foreign Workers in South Africa (1980-2013) Title: Emerging political subjectivities in a post migrant labour regime: Mobilisation, participation and representation of foreign workers in South Africa (1980-2013) By: Janet Munakamwe A THESIS submitted to the FACULTY OF HUMANITIES, at the UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Migration & Displacement Studies Supervisor: Professor Aurelia Segatti Co- Supervisor: Professor Jo Vearey Johannesburg: May, 2018 DECLARATION I, Janet Munakamwe, declare that this is my own unaided work submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand for the Doctor of Philosophy degree (Migration and Displacement). It has not been submitted before for examination in any other university. However, part of my thesis appears in my previous publications on ‘ZamaZama’; the most recent one being a book chapter published in 2017 entitled: 1. Munakamwe, J. (2017). “ZamaZama livelihood strategies, mobilisation and resistance in Johannesburg, South Africa” in Wakarindwa, T. and Nhemachena, A. (Eds) (2017). Mining Africa: A Critical Multidisciplinary Interrogation of Theories and Practices. Bamenda: Langa Publishers (Langaa RPCIG). Pages 104 -132. ISBN-10: 9956-764- 32-9 ISBN-13: 978-9956-764-32-7© 2. Munakamwe, J. (2015): Review of Costello, C. and Freedland, M. (eds.) (2014) Migrants at Work: Immigration and Vulnerability in Labour Laws by Global Labour Journal: https://escarpmentpress.org/globallabour/issue/view/246 3. Munakamwe, J. (2015). “The interface between the legal and illegal mining processes: unpacking the value chain of illegally mined gold” “Sharing the Gains – Containing Corporate Power.” 10th Annual Global Labour University Conference, FL‐CIO Washington, D.C. headquarters. 30 September to 2 October 2015. 4. Munakamwe, J. (2015). ZamaZama Livelihood Strategies and Resistance to policy brutality in Westrand, Johannesburg. 22 Annual SASA Congress. Contours of Violence. 28June -1July 2015. Johannesburg: University of Johannesburg. 5. Munakamwe, J. 2014. Foreign ZamaZama: Not everything glitters in Egoli. South African Labour Bulletin. Vol. 38, No. 1 6. Wilderman, J.R., L, Lenka, G.L., Morris, Munakamwe, J, and Riabuchuk, A. (2016). Worker Advice Offices in South Africa: Exploring Approaches to Organising and Empowering Vulnerable Workers. Johannesburg: Chris Hani Institute (CHI) and NALEDI. [N.B. I specifically contributed a section on migrant workers and worker advice offices, which I also draw from in my thesis] Signed… … …… ……………………………………………………. May 2018 i Abstract The study aimed to examine the key factors shaping political subjectivities amongst foreign workers in South Africa between the period 1980-2013. It builds on the 1970s studies of the migrant labour system (Wolpe, 1972, First et al, 1972, Arrighi, 1973, Legassick, 1975; Burawoy, 1976) and raises new theoretical debates on how political prejudices have shaped mobilisation, participation and representation of foreign workers today. In particular, the thesis interrogates trade union responses to foreign labour, including foreign workers’ position and receptivity to unions and how state crafted laws and policies shape political subjectivities among foreign workers. Two unions; the South African Commercial & catering Workers Union (SACCAWU) and National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) were chosen because of the high density of foreign workers in their sectors and again, the sectors have a historical trajectory in attracting foreign labour to South Africa. While unions’ responses are not homogenous, the study revealed that the two aforementioned unions somehow elicit a more optimistic approach towards organising foreign labour. Through a critical analysis of the class content of workers, migrancy and mobilisation, the study interrogated two grand theories propounded by Marx and Gramsci. The findings revealed that the Marxist theory is fixated on class and thus, views this variable as a mutually uniting force and as underpinning solidarity among the subaltern. In contrast, Gramsci‘s (1971) concept of hegemony, in which he argues that it reproduces domination juxtaposed with the theory of intellectuals, further divide the proletarian. In his theory, Gramsci (1971) elevates the conversation beyond class to include the concepts of power and hegemony as essential to explain workers’ struggles - as he also postulates that civil society stands as an alternative voice to workers outside of organised labour, which has since abandoned their socialist agenda. Furthermore, Gramsci acknowledges the role played by employers in creating passivity among workers and this is reflected in this study in which the prerogative to monitor foreign workers in the country solely rests on employers. This policy framework emasculates foreign workers’ agency with the ultimate result of weakening bargaining power while promoting patronage. In essence, Marxist theory fails to acknowledge that the working class as a social category is not homogeneous and as such, our analysis needs to rethink other factors that shape political subjectivities and mobilisation in contemporary society. In a way, Gramsci’s theory persuades us to appreciate the fact that economic needs are not the only stimulant to mobilisation of workers as there exist other factors such as ideology, political, social, gender, culture and race. In light of this, my study shows that besides ‘bread and butter’ issues, at the ii core of foreign workers struggles is the issue of documentation. Following, Fine (2014), the study found out that trade union prefer the Universalist approach to organising foreign workers thus neglecting the particularistic view which advances the notion that immigrant workers have their own particular needs. Furthermore, as the study shows, unions are still ambivalent about including and organising foreign workers, drawing more on state crafted laws and policies that emphasise ‘legality’ in relation to documentation and permission to work in the country. Yet, foreign workers are keen and ready to join unions although some (in particular highly skilled foreign workers in the hospitality sector) are caught up within the liminal phase (see Underthun, 2015) as a result of job mismatches, such that they believe they could only join unions once they secure employment in the sectors that are in synergy with the skills they possess. Drawing from unions’ rhetoric of a Universalist approach to organising foreign workers, there is however, overwhelming evidence from the study to suggest that restrictive immigration laws and policies in their current form point to lack of commitment by unions in influencing development of immigration policies which are favourable towards equal full participation of all workers. Here, we witness a new consensus and a continuation of the politics of draconian exclusionary immigration laws and policies - tracing back to the contract labour system into the post migrant labour regime. Thus, I argue here that failure to address the ‘special’ needs of foreign workers in accordance with the particularistic view undermines all unions’ efforts and strategy to mobilise all workers falling outside of standard employment relations. Instead, this further point to hypocrisy as unions seek legitimacy in terms of compliance to the principles of international solidarity with the ultimate goal to discourage self-organising among foreign workers and alternative modes of representation. Emerging forms of worker representation are associated with the leftist socialist agenda which has since been abandoned by traditional unions since the introduction of neoliberal policies which have resulted in workplace restructuring, retrenchments and shrinking employment opportunities. Nevertheless, against all these challenges, as the study revealed, foreign including local casual workers (Dickinson, 2017), still exercise their agency and have begun to self-organise and seek other alternative models of mobilisation and participation in the workplace to fill-in the representation gaps left by unions. This has been facilitated at large by social networks and emerging social media platforms, migrant rights organisations including other civil society collectives, which in a way, have forged new forms of solidarity among local and foreign workers based on identity. iii Key words: foreign labour, migrancy, political subjectivities, agency, mobilisation, participation, representation, solidarity, liminality, Universalist and particularistic approach to worker organising. iv Acknowledgement First and foremost, I would like to thank the Almighty God for protecting me over the years and for making it possible to produce this work. I am indebted to many people who made it possible as I battled through the various and often difficult stages of my academic life. In my culture, there is an adage that says: “When a child is born, they belong to the entire village!” indeed, my academic achievement would be extended to all those people who contributed in various ways towards my success. I wish to express my uttermost gratitude and appreciation to my supervisor, Prof Aurelia Segatti, for her invaluable constructive criticism and academic advice and for relentlessly encouraging me to ‘think outside of the box”. Indeed, when we began this doctoral work, I was more of a ‘tabula rasa’ after spending some time away from academia. She constantly reminded me to ‘tone’ down from normative activism to academic writing! Indeed, Prof Segatti’s academic support, confidence,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Publication No. 201710
    CIPC PUBLICATION 16 May 2017 Publication No. 201710 (CO and CC Re-Instatement) COMPANIES AND CLOSE CORPORATIONS CIPC PUBLICATION NOTICE 10/2017 OF 2017 COMPANIES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMMISSION NOTICE IN TERMS OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2008 (ACT 71 OF 2008) THE FOLLOWING CORRECTION NOTICE/S AND NOTICE/S RELATING TO RE-INSTATEMENS ARE PUBLISHED FOR GENERAL INFROMATION. THE CIPC WEBSITE AT WWW.CIPC.CO.ZA CAN BE VISITED FOR MORE INFORMATION. NO GUARANTEE IS GIVEN IN RESPECT OF THE ACCURACY OF THE PARTICULARS FURNISHED AND NO RESPONSIBILITY IS ACCEPTED FOR ERRORS AND OMISSIONS OR THE CONSEQUENCES THEREOF. Rory Voller ACTING COMMISSIONER: CIPC CIPC PUBLICATION NOTICE 10/2017 OF 2017 NOTICE OF RE-INSTATEMENT OF REGISTRATION OF COMPANIES AND CLOSE CORPORATIONS The Commissioner hereby gives notice that the registration of the following companies and close corporations have, in terms of section 82 (4) of the Companies Act, 2008, been re-instated with effect from the date of publication hereof: CLOSE CORPORATIONS B1985007722 SIESTA INVESTMENTS CC B1985010283 MANDALEINE BELEGGINGS CC B1985013582 FALLSWAY CC B1986003057 INLOMA CC B1986013545 NOLIP PROPERTIES CC B1987004141 WAISTCOAT ESTATES CC B1987011341 WORKGROUP CONSTRUCTION CC B1987018713 FIFTY BATTERY STREET MAYFAIR CC B1987021102 SURIAN RENT CC B1987022993 JOEBRYAN INVESTMENTS CC B1987026245 PHUMLA REAL ESTATES CC B1988000619 GREYVENSTEIN EIENDOMSTRUST CC B1988001203 TWO-O-SIX-FOUR MAYFAIR CC B1988004127 CEDAR LEAF INVESTMENTS CC B1988007467 FANTASY FACTORY CC B1988008737 S S MAAHLO BUILDING
    [Show full text]
  • Women in the Informal Economy: the Face of Precariousness in South Africa
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Stellenbosch University SUNScholar Repository Women in the informal economy: Precarious labour in South Africa Makoma Mabilo Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Political Science) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof. A. Gouws March 2018 The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at, are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Makoma Mabilo March 2018 Copyright © 2018 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract High levels of unemployment, widespread poverty and growing inequality in South Africa have led to an emphasis on employment as a solution to these problems. In the current post-apartheid era, various scholars have documented a growing flexibility within South Africa’s labour market, which they suggest indicates a breakdown of traditional, formal full-time employment contracts as well as a growth of precarious, marginal and atypical employment.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards Employment-Intensive Growth in South Africa
    www.uctpress.co.za Towards employment-intensive growth in South Africa UCT_Towards_employment_growth_new.indd 1 2016/08/02 3:27 PM UCT_Towards_employment_growth_new.indd 2 2016/08/02 3:27 PM TOWARDS employment-intensive GROWTH in South Africa Editor: Anthony Black UCT_Towards_employment_growth_new.indd 3 2016/08/02 3:27 PM Towards employment-intensive growth in South Africa First published 2016 by UCT Press An imprint of Juta and Company (Pty) Ltd First Floor Sunclare Building 21 Dreyer Street Claremont 7708 PO Box 14373 Lansdowne 7779 Cape Town, South Africa © 2016, UCT Press www.uctpress.co.za ISBN 978-1-77582-007-9 (Print) ISBN 978-1-77582-166-3 (Web PDF) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Subject to any applicable licensing terms and conditions in the case of electronically supplied publications, a person may engage in fair dealing with a copy of this publication for his or her personal or private use, or his or her research or private study. See section 12(1)(a) of the Copyright Act 98 of 1978. Project manager: Glenda Younge Editor: Glenda Younge Proofreader: Lee-Ann Ashcroft Typesetter: Firelight Studio Cover designer: Paula Wood Cover photograph: Gavin Younge Typeset in 11 pt on 13.5 pt Minion Pro The authors and the publisher believe on the strength of due diligence exercised that this work does not contain any material that is the subject of copyright held by another person.
    [Show full text]
  • Protection of Agency Workers in South Africa: an Appraisal of Compliance with ILO and EU Norms
    Protection of Agency Workers in South Africa: An Appraisal of Compliance with ILO and EU Norms by Candice Joy Aletter submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Laws In the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria October 2016 Supervisor: Professor BPS van Eck © University of Pretoria © University of Pretoria Declaration of Originality Candice Joy Aletter Student number: 13424654 Declaration: 1. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the University’s policy in this regard. 2. I declare that this thesis is my own original work. Where other people’s work has been used (either from a printed source, internet or any other source), this has been properly acknowledged and referenced in accordance with departmental requirements. 3. I have not used work previously produced by another student or any other person to hand in as my own. 4. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work. Signature of student: Signature of supervisor: © University of Pretoria © University of Pretoria Acknowledgements My deepest gratitude is due to God for giving me the resources, ability, health and perseverance to complete this thesis. My sincere thanks to my supervisor Professor van Eck for the unwavering support and guidance of my LLD study. Thank you for your patience, understanding and motivation. Your keen interest in this research has been energizing and without your inspiration this study would not have been possible. Many thanks are due to my parents. Thanks to my mother Joy Leon for always listening and for her daily encouragement, and thanks to my father Keith Leon, though he will not see the completed result, his continuous support throughout my life made it possible.
    [Show full text]
  • Perceived Organisational Reputation in South Africa’S Public Sector
    Perceived Organisational Reputation in South Africa’s Public Sector: Employees’ Narrative Accounts by Simi Ramgoolam (B.A. (Hon), M.A.) University of KwaZulu-Natal A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) in the School of Applied Human Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal November 2016 i DECLARATION I, Simi Ramgoolam, declare that: (i) The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original work. (ii) This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. (iii) This thesis does not contain other persons’ data, pictures, graphs or other information, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons. (iv) This thesis does not contain other persons’ writing, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then: a) their words have been re‐written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced; b) where their exact words have been used, their writing has been placed inside quotation marks, and referenced. (v) Where I have reproduced a publication of which I am author, co‐author or editor, I have indicated in detail which part of the publication was actually written by myself alone and have fully referenced such publications. (vi) This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis and in the References sections. Candidate: Simi Ramgoolam Signature ________________________ Supervisor: Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize, PhD Signature ________________________ ii Copyright © 2016 by Simi Ramgoolam iii ABSTRACT This study explored employees’ perceived organisational reputation at the City of Johannesburg.
    [Show full text]
  • Size: 4 MB 14Th Nov 2019 2ND NPA DISCUSSION DOCUMENT A4
    Consolidating the ground towards socialist power! Table of content ORGANISATIONAL CHARACTER ............................................................................ 2 AND RE-DESIGN .................................................................................................... 2 LAND AND AGRARIAN REFORM .......................................................................... 33 ON GENDER STRUGGLES.................................................................................... 53 MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE BATTLE OF IDEAS .................................... 67 HEALTH ............................................................................................................. 103 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ..................................................................................... 118 EDUCATION ..................................................................................................... 127 PAN AFRICANISM AND PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONALISM ............................... 151 THE ECONOMY ................................................................................................ 168 STATE CAPACITY ............................................................................................... 187 THE JUSTICE SYSTEM ......................................................................................... 225 SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE ............................................................................ 231 1 ND 2 National People’s Assembly ORGANISATIONAL CHARACTER AND RE-DESIGN 2 Consolidating the ground
    [Show full text]
  • Issue 42, 2016
    3rd Quarter3rd 2016 NUMBER 42 NUMBER UMRABULO NUMBER 42 | 2016 U LET’S TALK POLITICS 1 U UMRABULO NUMBER 42 | 2016 UMRABULO ContentsCONTENTS NUMBER 42 | 2016 UMRABULO was a word used to inspire IN THIS ISSUE political discussion and debate on Robben Island. This concept was revived in 1996 when the ANC published the first edition Our arduos struggle against racism: of Umrabulo. The journal’s mission is to 5 encourage debate and rigorous discussions Quo vadis at all levels of the movement. by Lindiwe Sisulu Colonialism and Apartheid are dead: 11 Long live Colonialism of a Special Type by Gugile Nkwinti CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS Umrabulo welcomes contributions from readers. Contributions may be in response VIEWPOINT THE FUTURE OF THE ANC AS A to previous articles or may raise new issues. 25 RULING PARTY Contributions may be sent to the address below. Is the ANC Likely to lose power in the forese- able future? SUBSCRIPTIONS by Kgolane Rudolph Phala This service has been suspended for the time being. Subscribers will be notified when it will resume. VIEWPOINT UNITY OF ETHICS AND 2 33 POLITICS AT THE CURRENT POLITICAL EDITORIAL COLLECTIVE Nathi Mthethwa – Editor-in-Chief JUNCTURE Joel Netshitenzhe by Thando Ntlemeza Thenjiwe Mtintso Joyce Mashamba Enoch Godongwana CELEBRATING 95 YEARS OF THE SACP Dipuo Letsatsi–Duba 40 by Kgolane Rudolph Phala Donovan Cloete Steyn Speed Muzi Ndlovu HISTORY A BUILD UP TO THE THIRTY YEARS 44 SINCE THE TALKS ABOUT TALKS ON GOREE CONTACT INFORMATION ISLAND, DAKAR, SENEGAL Address: Umrabulo by Thembisile Majola PO Box 61884 Marshalltown 2107 TRIBUTE TO A SOUTH AFRICAN AT HEART: South Africa 48 ANDREW YOUNG Tel: 011 376 1000 by Jeff Radebe Fax: 086 633 1437 E-mail: [email protected] AFRICA WESTERN SAHARA: The last colony 51 in Africa – part 4 by Nathi Mthethwa The contents and views expressed in Umrabulo do not necessarily reflect the policies of the ANC or the views of the editorial collective.
    [Show full text]
  • Xenophobia, Social Change and Social Continuity: Changing Configurations of Intergroup Allegiance and Division Among Farm Workers and Farmers in De Doorns, 2009-2013
    Xenophobia, social change and social continuity: Changing configurations of intergroup allegiance and division among farm workers and farmers in De Doorns, 2009-2013 Philippa Louise Kerr March 2017 UKZN Pietermaritzburg 1 Declaration This thesis is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, in the Graduate Programme in Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. I, Philippa Louise Kerr, declare that 1. The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original research. 2. This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. 3. This thesis does not contain other persons’ data, pictures, graphs or other information, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons. 4. This thesis does not contain other persons' writing, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then: a. Their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced; b. Where their exact words have been used, then their writing has been placed inside quotation marks, and referenced. 5. This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis and in the References section. _________________ _____________ _______________ Name of student Signature Date _________________ _____________ ________________
    [Show full text]
  • Young Women and South Africa's Liberation Struggles After 1976. Rachel E. Johnson
    MAKING HISTORY, GENDERING YOUTH: Young Women and South Africa's Liberation Struggles after 1976. Rachel E. Johnson Thesissubmitted for the degreeof Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) Departmentof History, University of Sheffield April 2010 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................4 6 SUMMARY ............................................................................................. ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................7 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................9 Nationalism I. History and ...................................................................................12 II. Silence 15 ........................................................................................................... How to history CHAPTER ONE: write a of youth? ......................... 19 Youth 20 I. Theorising .............................................................................................. Youth in SouthAfrica II. The Historiographyof ..............................................26 Archive 48 III. A Living .......................................................................................... CHAPTER TWO: The meanings of June 16th and the in South African histories gendering of youth ...................................54 56 I. The Nature of Newspapers .................................................................................. 1977-1986 II. June 16than episode within the struggle
    [Show full text]
  • Inevitability of Labour Broking in South Africa and the Need for Strict Regulation
    1170 Journal of Reviews on Global Economics, 2019, 8, 1170-1178 Inevitability of Labour Broking in South Africa and the Need for Strict Regulation Kola O. Odeku* and Patrick T. Mogale Faculty of Management and Law, University of Limpopo, South Africa Abstract: It seems apparent that despite all the agitations, protests, and concerns raised by various organised trade unions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scholars and interested persons on the need for South Africa to out rightly ban the business of labour broking in South Africa because of the various unfair labour practices being perpetrated by the labour brokers and their clients, the business continues to thrive and prosperous. The ban continues to fail because till date, no single legislation has been enacted specifically to outlaw labour broking. Therefore, it seems that labour broking as a business is inevitable in South Africa and will continue to operate. That being said, even if it is not banned, this article strongly accentuates the need to stringently regulate labour broking considering various unfair labour practices that labour brokers and their clients perpetrate against workers. Against the backdrop of this, the article extensively relied on and utilised the recently enacted Labour Relations Amendment Act, 2014 which makes a moderate attempt to protect casual workers from unfair labour practices in South Africa. The South African courts have made tremendous progress by interpreting and applying this regulatory regime to protect the labour broker’s employees and transform labour broking in South Africa. This article contributes to the body of knowledge regarding the need to ensure holistic protection for vulnerable casual works through stringent regulation of the business.
    [Show full text]
  • Mining Commodity Review
    Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized 1 1 Notes: 2 This report can be obtained from University Research South Africa Final Report, 08 December 2014 Mapping of Mineworkers and Ex-Mineworkers in Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland Phase 1 Regional TB Service Delivery Framework Contact Details: Bay Technologies P.O. Box 444, Pretoria, 0001 660 Mike Boulevard, Willow Acres Ext 12, No 5 Silver Place, Silverlakes, Pretoria Email: [email protected] Tel: +27 809 0171 Fax: 086 611 5078 3 PREAMBLE Snapshot of Mining History in South Africa Mining in South Africa has shaped the country culturally, economically and politically. It directly contributed to the establishment of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in the late 19th century, and today it still accounts for a third of its market capitalisation (Source: Mining IQ Mining Intelligence Database). The history of mining in South Africa goes back as far as the Dutch (Simon van der Stel, 1685) after the arrival in the Cape. The pictures in Figure 1 and figure 3 reveals some of the black, Chinese and white mine labourers in a gold mine in South Africa from the early 1900’s; and underground rock drillers in one of the highest exposure to silica dust and risk of silicosis By 1904, after the mining shutdown due to the Anglo Boer War, the first 10,000 contracted Chinese workers arrived to help rebuild the industry, and ensure low labour prices. Whilst the Chinese were repatriated Figure 1 - Mine Labourers Early 1900’s by 1910, the demand for labour quickly brought large Black, Chinese and White labourers in a gold mine in South Africa, circa 1890 - 1923.
    [Show full text]
  • South African Political Prison-Literature Between 1948 and 1990: the Prisoner As Writer and Political Commentator
    SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICAL PRISON-LITERATURE BETWEEN 1948 AND 1990: THE PRISONER AS WRITER AND POLITICAL COMMENTATOR by GILLIAN CAROL BOOTH-YUDELMAN submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY in the subject ENGLISH at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA PROMOTER: DR MC ANDERSEN 30 NOVEMBER 1997 SUMMARY This thesis examines works written about imprisonment by four South African political prison writers who were incarcerated for political reasons. My Introduction focuses on current research and literature available on the subject of political prison-writing and it justifies the study to be undertaken. Chapter One examines the National Party's policy pertaining to the holding of political prisoners and discusses the work of Michel Foucault on the subject of imprisonment as well as the connection he makes between knowledge and power. This chapter also considers the factors that motivate a prisoner to write. Bearing in mind Foucault's findings, Chapters Two to Five undertake detailed studies of La Guma's The Stone Country, Dennis Brutus's Letters to Martha, Hugh Lewin's Bandiet and Breyten Breytenbach's The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist, respectively. Particular emphasis is placed on the reaction of these writers against a repressive government. In addition, Chapters Two to Five reflect on the way in which imprisonment affected them from a psychological point of view, and on the manner in which they were, paradoxically, empowered by their prison experience. Chapters Four and Five also consider capital punishment and Lewin and Breytenbach's response to living in a hanging jail. I contemplate briefly the works of Frantz Fanon in the conclusion in order to elaborate on the reasons for the failure of the system of apartheid and the policy of political imprisonment and to reinforce my argument.
    [Show full text]