Apartheid on a Black Isle : Removal and Resistance in Alexandra, South Africa

In this single square mile hemmed in by White areas, residents engaged in what is arguably the most multi-faceted, inventive, and versatile strategy of resistance during the 1970s. "Apartheid on a Black Isle" brings to the fore the definitive but underappreciated role that Alexandra played in advancing human rights. Using their manufactured space, Alexandrans revolutionized the South African freedom struggle by fertilizing the underground movement, by joining in solidarity with Soweto during the student uprising and by finding unique ways to grieve. This book explores and introduces ordinary Alexandrans whose narratives challenged preconceived notions of resistance, identity, gender and space Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Introduction....Pages 1-28 “We Are Too Old to Move, Where Are We to Go?”: Forced Removals in Alexandra....Pages 29-44 “Oiling the Machinery”: Recruitment and Conversion in Alexandra’s Underground Movement....Pages 45-61 “Mobility and Camouflage in Alexandra’s Underground Movement”....Pages 63-79 “They Shouted Power”: During the Student Uprising....Pages 81-99 “They Died Horribly”: Celebrating the Lives Lost During the Student Uprising and Beyond....Pages 101-115 Conclusion: David’s Story....Pages 117-121 Back Matter....Pages 123-180 The first study to holistically examine Alexandra, South Africa's critical role during the seventies in the struggle against apartheid.