The making of the 'comrades' movement in Natal, 1985-91
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4906589 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ari Sitas (0000-0002-2761-3064, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1992 |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 629-641 |
| Publication date | 1992-09-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Southern African Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0305-7070 • E-ISSN: 1465-3893 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/03057079208708329 |
| OpenAlex | W2063946538 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 17 |
| References cited | 4 |
Sociologists have largely discussed 'comrades' or 'amaqabane' within the parameters of two broad social indicators: black youth unemployment and 'anomic' behaviour. The first indicator, unemployment, has destroyed the life-chances and aspirations of the majority of youths. Studies like those of the Inkatha Institute emphasise how unemployment led to frustration and how that turned into aggression and violence.1 The second indicator is that of 'normlessness', the breakdown of values, the breakdown of a communal social solidarity and the antisocial actions that follow. The 'normlessness' school is much favoured by sociologists. Elements of a Durkheimean conception of 'anomie' based on the breakdown of social solidarity, norms, and the family are presented as definitive of black youth behaviour. In what follows I will argue against both indicators. First, it is not, I believe, helpful to explain the emergence of 'comrades' simply via the category of black youth unemployment. It is true that most 'comrades' are young (below 35); that most 'comrades' come from embattled working-class homesteads and households; that most of their cultural codes emerge outside households and kinship relations; and that many are unemployed. But among the phenomenon called 'comrades' there are full wage-earners, informal sector vendors, university graduates, political
Anomie · Criminology · Economic growth · Economics · Kinship · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Solidarity · Unemployment · African studies and sociopolitical issues · Law · South African History and Culture
Violences décrites
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Gender, age and the politicisation of space during the time of political violence in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Minorities in the rainbow nation
The Insurrectionist Moment
Youth and generation in South African history
Umkhonto we Sizwe, We are Waiting for You’
Reworking hegemony in the urban waterscape
Infect one, infect all
From the Ninevites to the hard livings gang
Politics and violence in KwaZulu-Natal
For sure you are going to die
Towards a new public space
Siyayinyova
Introduction Control and Excess
| Unique citing works | 17 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,57 |
| Citation span | 1996 - 2024 (29) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 15 |