Boipatong : the politics of a massacre and the South African transition

The Boipatong massacre has been widely recognised as a key moment in the South African transition, yet limited scholarly attention has been given to the details of this event. The massacre is frequently cited as an example of state complicity in the political violence that shook the country during a period of negotiation and reform. This thesis considers the underlying forensic truths of the Boipatong massacre, but more importantly it examines the ways in which the meanings of the massacre were contested by different political interest groups. Analysis of these contestations gives insight into the dynamics of the transition, shedding light on the discursive struggles that have defined it. Through the agency of certain political actors, a dominant narrative of the Boipatong massacre arose. However, the truths this narrative posited remain contested and contentious.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Historical Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Simpson, James G R

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mager, Anne Kelk

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12144

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12144