Project

Shifting Dynamics of Strike Violence, Solidarity and Worker Insurgency: A Case of the Platinum Belt, 1982 to 2015

Program

African Humanities Program Postdoctoral Fellowships

Department

Society Work and Development Institute(SWOP)

Abstract

Strike violence remains salient post the democratic transition despite the shift from non-hegemonic to hegemonic modes of control based on consent. This raises questions why it remains significant despite structural changes. This project explores experiences, meanings and changes ascribed to strike violence and how this has changed overtime and the intersection with solidarity and insurgent unionism. Furthermore, it unpacks expression of strike violence in language, songs, muti and sangoma. This project is to be developed into a book manuscript and empirical evidence will be drawn from a historical and ethnographic research and triangulation of archival research, interviews and observations. The project contributes in understanding how South African order is attained, sustained, challenged and change overtime. I argue that the meaning of strike violence is ambiguous. It is part of the making, remaking and unmaking of order. Moreover, strike songs, muti, sangoma and violence are part of forging worker collective solidarity.