The battle of Namoha, Qwa-Qwa (1950): An oral history perspective

Abstract

Between 1940 and 1960 there was a succession of bitter territorial conflicts be-tween peasants and the authorities in the African reserves of South Africa. During this period the state played an increasingly interventionist role in the countryside. The reserves were needed for new economic and political functions, and a series of attempts were made to restructure them accordingly. In the process, established social relationships were disrupted whilst conflict between these communities and the government became increasingly more commonplace. Popular reactions to the reshaping of rural societies were heated and, in some cases, violent. Against this backdrop certain communities were becoming increasingly more inherently sus-picious of any actions and involvement of the authorities - irrespective whether these were politically motivated or part of apolitical considerations. Within this context, the article will examine the causes, course and consequences of the so-called Namoha Battle of 1950 with an oral history focus.