Connectedness and disconnectedness in Thembeyakhe Harry Gwala's biography, 1920-1995: Rethinking Political Militancy, Mass Mobilisation and Grassroots Struggles in South Africa
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Date
2018
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The University of the Western Cape
Abstract
This dissertation is premised on the notions of connectedness and disconnectedness as a
contribution to the field of South African biography. I argue that Harry Gwala�s life was
characterised by connectedness and disconnectedness and was shaped by his determination to
remain connected while the state utilised its coercive power to disconnect him. While South
African history has been largely written within the framework of repression and resistance, a
study of Gwala�s life enables historians to examine twentieth century history from a different
perspective which focuses on themes of connectedness and disconnectedness. Gwala�s rural
background, his training as a teacher and his later involvement in trade unionism enabled him
to develop and maintain connectedness with grassroots sentiments. In an attempt to
disconnect Gwala from these pursuits, he was occasionally tortured and served with banning
orders which restricted his movement and political activities. He was imprisoned on Robben
Island between 1964 to 1972 and 1977 to 1987. While disconnected by banning orders and
constant harassment by state security agents, Gwala continued to retain his connectedness
through underground activities and later through his involvement in re-establishing branches
of the African National Congress after his release from prison in 1988. This dissertation
argues that Gwala was a product of a complex society and varied social milieux which were
all characterised by high levels of class deprivation and exploitation. As he meandered
through various social milieux he developed a working class political approach which
impelled him towards mass mobilisation and opposition to the state�s oppressive notion of
race and class. Gwala became a medium to connect various classes and political groupings
during the liberation struggle in South Africa. This biography also makes a contribution to
the emerging body of literature on the histories of resistance politics at local and national
levels in South Africa.
Description
Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (History)