Swart stedelike behuisingsverskaffing in Suid-Afrika, ca. 1923-1948: “Wanneer meer minder kos” ― finansiële verliese versus welsyns- en gesondheidswinste

Abstract

Since 1923, urban local authorities in South Africa were legally obliged to provide housing to urban black workers within their areas of jurisdiction. Urban black workers were “cheap” workers, resulting in local authorities to be confronted by financial obligations and problems, which completely overwhelmed them. Therefore, many authorities neglected their housing obligations and unhygienic conditions, and slums were a common sight in urban black townships. This was detrimental to the health of black workers as well as their white co-workers. Furthermore, this situation affected the economy negatively, as well as the relationships between whites and blacks. This article investigates the housing and financial legislation urban local authorities had to comply with in order to provide urban blacks with housing; the assistance, if any, that local authorities received from the central authority (state); the financial implications if local authorities fulfilled their obligations; and the eventual profits and losses this fulfilment held for such local authorities and the black inhabitants in their municipal townships. The actions of the Port Elizabeth local authority will be discussed as a case-study: this authority managed, despite enormous financial losses, to fulfil their obligations, resulting in the realisation that more actually cost less, and that financial losses resulted in lasting social and health gains.