The 1973 Durban strikes: Of local and international significance

Abstract

The 1973 Durban strike wave was for most people a totally unexpected event. With more than 60 000 black workers involved, it was a major cause for concern among the company owners, state officials and the public. This article evaluates the 1973 Durban strike wave and the events leading up to it. It is argued that the strike wave was the result of a combination of factors, ranging from increased inflationary pressures to a complex chain of political developments. The strike wave should be viewed in the context of the emergence of the black trade union movement and of increased socio-political conflict.