The Horsemen are coming’: Rethinking the Pondoland Rebellion

Abstract

During the 1950's, a series of peasant revolts took place in the South African homelands. Whilst they occurred from Zeerust to Witzieshoek, by far the largest was the Pondoland rebellion of 1959-61. It culminated in the declaration of a State of Emergency in the region and was only crushed when large numbers of police and troops were rushed to the area. It was significant not only on account of its size, but also owing to the emergent social movement which led it, and the broad nature of the protest which included not only armed conflict, but also consume boycotts