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| Article |
| Black Political Organisation
in the Early Twentieth Century |
The first half of the twentieth
century saw the politicisation of Cape Town's African residents. Major
influences were the First World War, living conditions within the city and the
influence of political leaders - both local and international.
By 1919, ICU (the African trade union) had considerable
support
In 1923 when the Urban Areas Bill was in process, Selope Thema
of the SANNC told Smuts when he was visiting Cape Town
"we have a share and a claim to this country. Not only
is it the land of our ancestors, but we have contributed to the progress and
advancement of this country…we have built this city". (Bickford
Smith P.90)
The Jamaican politician Marcus Garvey had a strong influence on Africans in
Cape Town, as shown by the existence of 4 branches of his Universal Negro
Improvement Association (UNIA) in the city by 1921. Their emphasis was on black
liberation for which America would be the source of mass change.
While this was seen as fanciful by many observers, Garvey's
messages challenged an attachment to British liberalism and promoted American
values, also increasingly expressed in cinema and music. The movement lost
momentum in the 1930s, partly because a section of its adherents thought that
Hertzog's segregation policies would offer chances for black
self-determination. Furthermore, some leaders within the movement such as James
Thaele prioritised the interests of the black elite over the working
classes.
The 1923 Urban Areas Act led to the formation of the Native Advisory Board to
comprise 3 elected members from among African residents and 3 nominees from the
local authority. However, these boards were ineffective as they had little
influence on Municipal decisions.
Some Langa community members perceived board members from Langa
as 'spies' working with the authorities. However, other members were much
respected and were able to achieve independent opposition to the authorities,
for example through the creation of the Langa Vigilance Association.
In the 1930s young African radicals investigated potential collaboration within
the structures of the government. One example was the election of NLL members
onto the Langa Advisory Board, which then enabled the Board to persuade city
council officials to tour the township and observe unsanitary living conditions
for themselves. |
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