'The horsemen are coming': rethinking the Pondoland rebellion.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Hierdie artikel ondersoek die oorsake en die verloop van die 1959-1961 Pondolandse rebellie. Dit word opgevolg met 'n evaluering van die organisasie wat daarna die leiding geneem het, die "mountain", 'n sosiale beweging met diepgevestig in kleinboere samelewing. Daar word betoog dat die rebellie, as gevolg van wyd-lopende faktore 'n radikale verset was teen die status quo en ook 'n poging was om 'n vinnig verdwynende lewenswyse te behou.

• Summary: This article evaluates the course and causes of the 1959-1961 Pondoland rebellion. This is followed by an assessment of the organization that emerged to lead it, the "Mountain", a social movement deeply rooted in peasant society. It is argued that, as the product of a wide range of forces, the rebellion represented both a radical attack on the status quo and an attempt to preserve a fast-vanishing way of life. This is a provisional account, which, it is hoped, will serve to stimulate further debate on the nature of peasant resistance in modern South Africa.