The 1973 Durban strikes: of local and international significance.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Die 1973 vloedgolf van stakings in Durban was vir die meeste mense 'n totaal onverwagte gebeurtenis. Met meer as 60 000 swart werkers daarby betrokke het die gebeure groot besorgdheid by privaat maatskappye, die staat en die publiek meegebring. In hierdie artikel word die aanleidende gebeure tot die stakings en die stakings self ontleed. Daar word gewys op die komplekse wisselwerking tussen ekonomiese en politieke faktore as oorsake daarvan. Die stakings word ook geplaas in die breëre konteks van die groei van 'n swart vakbondbeweging m die toename in sosio-politieke konflik.• Summary: The 1973 Durban strike wave was for most people a totally unexpected event. With more than 60 000 black workers involved, it was a major cause for concern among the company owners, state officials and the public. This article evaluates the 1973 Durban strike wave and the events leading up to it. It is argued that the strike wave was the result of a combination of factors, ranging from increased inflationary pressures to a complex chain of political developments. The strike wave should be viewed in the context of the emergence of the black trade union movement and of increased socio-political conflict.