Article from ROAPE Volume 14 Number 40
Rent Boycotts, the State, and Transf. of Urban PE in SA

The Contradictions of SA's political economy, in the interaction of politically entrenched racism and capitalist production relations, produces chronic discontent in the townships of the Transvaal and Orange Free State while limiting the political capacity of the State to manage such anger. The consequence has been the urban turmoil of the last three years, a process here analysed through the rent boycotts - and their attendant political violence. The various state responses to the boycotts and their stark limitations, are assessed.