The integrated community apartheid could not destroy: The Warwick Avenue Triangle in Durban

Journal of Southern African Studies

Volumn 25, Issue 2, 1999, Pages 249-266

  Maharaj, Brij ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU NATAL   (South Africa)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

APARTHEID; RELOCATION; URBAN POLICY; URBAN RENEWAL;

SOUTH AFRICA;

EID: 0032864599     PISSN: 03057070     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/030570799108687     Document Type: Article

References (126)

1. See J. Crush, 'The New South African Historical Geography', in J. McCarthy and C.M. Rogerson (eds), South African Human Geography (Cape Town, 1992), pp. 10-37.
2. P. Bonner and T. Lodge, 'Introduction', in P. Bonner et al. (eds), Holding Their Ground: Class, Locality and Culture in 19th and 20th Century South Africa (Johannesburg, 1989), p. 1.
3. See A. Proctor, 'Class Struggle, Segregation and the City: a History of Sophiatown 1905-1940', in B. Bozzoli (ed), Labour, Townships and Protest: Studies in the Social History of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, 1979), pp. 49-89; T. Lodge, 'The Destruction of Sophiatown', in B. Bozzoli (ed), Town and Countryside in the Transvaal (Johannesburg, 1983), pp. 337-364; D.M. Hart and G.H. Pirie, 'The Sight and Soul of Sophiatown', Geographical Review, 74 (1984), pp. 38-47.
4. See A. Proctor, 'Class Struggle, Segregation and the City: a History of Sophiatown 1905-1940', in B. Bozzoli (ed), Labour, Townships and Protest: Studies in the Social History of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, 1979), pp. 49-89; T. Lodge, 'The Destruction of Sophiatown', in B. Bozzoli (ed), Town and Countryside in the Transvaal (Johannesburg, 1983), pp. 337-364; D.M. Hart and G.H. Pirie, 'The Sight and Soul of Sophiatown', Geographical Review, 74 (1984), pp. 38-47.
5. See A. Proctor, 'Class Struggle, Segregation and the City: a History of Sophiatown 1905-1940', in B. Bozzoli (ed), Labour, Townships and Protest: Studies in the Social History of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, 1979), pp. 49-89; T. Lodge, 'The Destruction of Sophiatown', in B. Bozzoli (ed), Town and Countryside in the Transvaal (Johannesburg, 1983), pp. 337-364; D.M. Hart and G.H. Pirie, 'The Sight and Soul of Sophiatown', Geographical Review, 74 (1984), pp. 38-47.
6. D.M. Hart, 'Political Manipulation of Urban Space: the Razing of District Six Cape Town', Urban Geography, 9 (1988), pp. 603-628; S. Jeppie and C. Soudien (eds), The Struggle for District Six: Past and Present (Cape Town, 1990).
7. D.M. Hart, 'Political Manipulation of Urban Space: the Razing of District Six Cape Town', Urban Geography, 9 (1988), pp. 603-628; S. Jeppie and C. Soudien (eds), The Struggle for District Six: Past and Present (Cape Town, 1990).
8. I: A. Edwards, 'Cato Manor: Cruel Past, Pivotal Future', Review of African Political Economy, 61 (1994), pp. 415-427; B. Maharaj, 'The Group Areas Act and Community Destruction in South Africa: the Struggle for Cato Manor in Durban', Urban Forum, 5 (1994), pp. 1-25.
9. I: A. Edwards, 'Cato Manor: Cruel Past, Pivotal Future', Review of African Political Economy, 61 (1994), pp. 415-427; B. Maharaj, 'The Group Areas Act and Community Destruction in South Africa: the Struggle for Cato Manor in Durban', Urban Forum, 5 (1994), pp. 1-25.
10. A.J. Christopher, 'Apartheid and Urban Segregation Levels in South Africa', Urban Studies, 27 (1990), pp. 421-440.
11. Durban Central Residents' Association Records [hereafter DCRA], 'Proposals for the redevelopment of the WAT', by Paul Mikula Associates, Architects and Town Planners, n.d.
12. DCRA, 'Warwick Avenue Triangle: the Case for Integrated Zoning', memorandum prepared by the Durban Central Residents' Association, 14 April 1988, para. 5.
13. 'Casbah: Mixed and So Happy', Daily News, 13 May 1987.
14. 'Striking the Right Triangle Note', Daily News, 11 February 1997.
15. See G. Farr, 'The Meaning of Place: Casbah' (unpublished Honours Project, Department of Geography, University of Natal, Durban, 1987).
16. Ibid., p. 1.
17. Records of the DCC are available at the Don Africana Library [hereafter DAL] in Durban. Correspondence between the DCC, central government departments and community organisations are available at the Town Clerk's Records in Durban [hereafter TCRD]. Records of the DCRA (now known as the Organisation for Civic Rights) are available at its offices in Durban. Newspaper articles are available at the library of Independent Newspapers in Durban.
18. G. Farr, 'The Meaning of Place', p. 1.
19. G. Farr, 'The Meaning of Place'. The aim of Farr's thesis was 'to explore what meaning was attached to Casbah by its residents as a method for understanding why residents were prepared to put up with an uncertain future, badly maintained buildings and a polluted environment in favour of staying in the area' (p. 91).
20. G. Farr, 'The Meaning of Place', p. 28.
21. Ibid., p. 30.
22. Ibid., p. 32.
23. Ibid., p. 35.
24. S. Parnell, 'Racial Segregation in Johannesburg: the Slums Act 1934-1939', South African Geographical Journal, 70 (1988), pp. 112-126.
25. DAL, DCC Minutes, 21 December 1937.
26. Indians continuously made this allegation against the Durban City Council in the 1930s and 1940s. See Memorandum by Indian Representatives on Lawrence Committee in regard to provision of choice residential sites, 29 May 1940; A Refutation of the European Agitation against Indian Penetration by the Natal Indian Association, Supplement to Indian Opinion, 29 May 1940; University of Durban-Westville's Documentation Centre [hereafter UDWDC], Natal Indian Congress Memorandum presented to the Second Penetration Commission, 15 March 1943.
27. Indians continuously made this allegation against the Durban City Council in the 1930s and 1940s. See Memorandum by Indian Representatives on Lawrence Committee in regard to provision of choice residential sites, 29 May 1940; A Refutation of the European Agitation against Indian Penetration by the Natal Indian Association, Supplement to Indian Opinion, 29 May 1940; University of Durban-Westville's Documentation Centre [hereafter UDWDC], Natal Indian Congress Memorandum presented to the Second Penetration Commission, 15 March 1943.
28. DAL, DCC Minutes, 10 June 1938.
29. UDWDC, U.G. No. 39-1941, Report of the Indian Penetration Commission; and U.G. No. 21-1943, Report of the Second Penetration (Durban) Commission.
30. See B. Maharaj, The Local State and Residential Segregation: Durban and the Prelude to the Group Areas Act', South African Geographical Journal, 77 (1995), pp. 33-41; B. Maharaj, 'Apartheid, Urban Segregation and the Local State: Durban and the Group Areas Act in South Africa', Urban Geography, 18 (1997), pp. 135-154.
31. See B. Maharaj, The Local State and Residential Segregation: Durban and the Prelude to the Group Areas Act', South African Geographical Journal, 77 (1995), pp. 33-41; B. Maharaj, 'Apartheid, Urban Segregation and the Local State: Durban and the Group Areas Act in South Africa', Urban Geography, 18 (1997), pp. 135-154.
32. The 1946 Act created two kinds of areas - controlled and uncontrolled. The controlled areas were reserved for white ownership and occupation. In the uncontrolled areas there were no racial restrictions on the ownership and occupation of property.
33. Group Areas Papers of the South African Institute of Race Relations, William Cullen Library, University of Witwatersrand [hereafter SAIRR/WCL], Letter from the South African Institute of Race Relations to the Secretary, Group Areas Board, Pietermaritzburg, 3 November 1959.
34. SAIRR/WCL, Letter from the South African Institute of Race Relations to the Town Clerk, Durban, 14 March 1958.
35. Ibid.
36. See B. Maharaj, 'Apartheid, Urban Segregation and the Local State'.
37. DAL, DCC Minutes, 5 June 1958.
38. DAL, DCC Minutes, 5 November 1959.
39. DAL, DCC Minutes, 6 March 1961.
40. Undated Memorandum submitted by the Durban Chamber of Commerce to the DCC, para. 1 (in author's possession).
41. The Department of Community Development - A Call for Action', memorandum on the Group Areas Act prepared by Eric Winchester, MP, and submitted to the central government, p. 75 (1970), (in author's possession).
42. TCRD, Letter from the City Engineer's Department to the Town Clerk's Office, 8 November 1961.
43. Republic of South Africa, Government Gazette, 4 October 1964.
44. The immediate implication of the Group Areas Act was to make those parts of the country to which it applied 'controlled areas'. In these areas changes in the racial character of ownership and occupation of land and premises was controlled.
45. Memorandum from the Central Durban Indian Area Protection Committee to the Minister of Planning, 10 March 1969 (in author's possession).
46. The implementation of the Group Areas Act resulted in the displacement and resettlement of hundreds of thousands of people. Consequently, there was a need for community development in both the areas evacuated, as well as the resettled area. The Department of Community Development was entrusted with this task in terms of the Community Development Act No.3 of 1966. However, the name was a misnomer as the Department was actually involved in the destruction of communities.
47. DAL, Report on the activities of the Department of Community Development for the year ended 31 December 1963, p. 6.
48. Memorandum submitted by the South African Indian Council to the Group Areas Board, 9 June 1969 (in author's possession).
49. DAL, City of Durban, Outline Plan for the City, Report by the City Engineer, Durban, October 1946, p. 76.
50. D. Scott, 'Communal Space Construction: the Rise and Fall of Clairwood and District' (PhD thesis, University of Natal, Durban, 1994), p. 75.
51. DAL, Circular No. 6 of 1971 to all Local Authorities from the Department of Community Development, 14 September 1971, p. 3.
52. Ibid.
53. 'Indians Must Quit Houses - Warwick Area hit by Group Areas Act', Daily News, 31 August 1970.
54. 'Warwick Avenue Businesses Will Stay', Daily News, 1 September 1970.
55. Public housing schemes for Indians and Coloureds located at the periphery of the city.
56. DCRA, 'Proposals for the redevelopment of the WAT', by Paul Mikula Associates, Architects and Town Planners, (n.d.), p. 1.
57. Billy Nair was a trade union leader and political activist, and is presently a Member of Parliament in the Government of National Unity.
58. 'Residents Get Boot', Sunday Times, 6 May 1984.
59. Since its formation in the WAT, the DCRA had broadened its activities and had taken up issues pertaining to housing, rents and living conditions in the greater Durban region. In addition, the DCRA also attempted to address the problems of residents living in burgeoning informal settlements in Durban. See B. Maharaj, 'Civic Organisations in the Apartheid Inner City: a Case Study of the Durban Central Residents Association', paper commissioned for the Project for Civil Society, The Albert Einstein Institution South African Program, University of Witwatersrand (1994).
60. 'Residents Unite to Fight Mass Eviction Threat', Sunday Tribune, 3 June 1984.
61. Ibid.
62. Natal Mercury, 28 May 1984.
63. DCRA, Letter from the DCRA to the DCC, n.d.
64. Letter from Iqbal Mohamed, DCRA, to the Rand Daily Mail, 8 June 1984. 'Ethnic channels' referred to the House of Delegates, House of Representatives and House of Assembly in the Tricameral Parliament.
65. '400 Braced To Fight Eviction Move', Post, 6-9 June 1984.
66. Letter from the Warwick Avenue Interim Committee to the Natal Mercury, June 1984.
67. DCRA, DCRA Survey, June 1984, p. 10.
68. Ibid., pp. 10-11.
69. DCRA, Letter from the DCRA to the DCC, n.d.
70. 'Warwick Avenue evictions: Council asked to clarify role', The Leader, 10 August 1984.
71. TCRD, Memorandum from the Associate Town Clerk's Office to the Management Committee of the DCC, 21 December 1987.
72. DCRA, 'Warwick Avenue Triangle: the Case for Integrated Zoning', DCRA Memorandum submitted to the DCC and central government, 14 April 1988, p. 3.
73. Ibid., p. 4.
74. Ibid., p. 2.
75. 'Casbah: Mixed and Happy', Daily News, 13 May 1987.
76. Ibid., p. 4.
77. 'Council Condemned for Decision on Warwick Avenue', undated Sunday Times article.
78. 'Warwick Reprieve', Daily News, 13 August 1984. Elections for the tricameral parliament took place in September 1984.
79. DCRA, Minutes of a DCRA Meeting, 31 January 1985.
80. TCRD, Memorandum from the Associate Town Clerk's Office to the Durban City Council, 21 December 1987.
81. DCRA, Minutes of a DCRA Meeting, 31 January 1985.
82. DCRA, Letter from the DCRA to the DCC, n.d.
83. DCRA, Warwick Avenue Discussion Document, (n.d.), p. 4.
84. 'Survey Reveals White Support For Declaring Warwick Triangle Open', Daily News, 13 July 1989.
85. G. Farr, 'The Meaning of Place', pp. 83-86.
86. For an analysis of the development of 'grey areas', see B. Maharaj and J. Mpungose, 'The Erosion of Residential Segregation in South Africa: the 'Greying' of Albert Park in Durban', Geoforum, 25 (1994), p. 30.
87. 'Casbah: Mixed and Happy', Daily News, 13 May 1987.
88. DCRA, Minutes of a DCRA Warwick Avenue Triangle Meeting, 28 November 1989.
89. 'Four Areas Open To All Races', Natal Witness, 25 November 1989.
90. 'Four Suburbs Open To All, Daily News, 25 November 1989.
91. DCRA, Memorandum prepared by Paul Mikula and Associates for the DCRA, n.d., p. 2.
92. DCRA, Warwick Avenue Discussion Document, prepared by the DCRA, n.d.
93. DCRA, Memorandum drawn by Paul Mikula and Associates for the DCRA, n.d., p. 3.
94. DCRA, Minutes of DCRA Warwick Avenue Triangle Meeting, 28 November 1989; Warwick Avenue Discussion Document, n.d..
95. DCRA, Letter from the DCRA to the DCC, n.d..
96. DCRA, Warwick Avenue Discussion Document, prepared by the DCRA, n.d..
97. DCRA, Maurice Dibbs Associates, Proposed Urban Renewal - Warwick Avenue Triangle, September 1988, p. 2. According to the report, the WAT comprised of '1940's three storey blocks of flats and single and double storey Victorian houses and shops' (p. 2).
98. TCRD, Letter from Councillor Margaret Ambler to the City Engineer, 25 June 1990.
99. For example, see TCRD, Letter from DCRA to the Mayor, 3 July 1990; Letter from the DCRA to the Executive Director, Physical Environment, Durban City Council, 19 June 1992.
100. See B. Maharaj, 'The Politics of Local Government Restructuring and Apartheid Transformation in South Africa: the Case of Durban', Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 15 (1977), pp. 135-154.
101. 'Durban's squalid, forgotten Casbah', Natal Mercury, 23 January 1995.
102. TCRD, Memorandum from Dr K. Naidoo, Deputy Medical Officer of Health to the Executive Director, Community Services, Re: Greater Warwick Avenue Area, Annexure 2, p. 2, 26 January 1995.
103. For an analysis of the local government transformation process in Durban, see B. Maharaj, 'The Politics of Local Government Restructuring'.
104. In keeping with the political transformation of the past decade, the 1990s have attracted increased scholarly attention to the challenges facing urban reconstruction and development in the new South Africa. See for example, A. Lemon (ed), Homes Apart: South Africa's Segregated Cities (Bloomington, 1991); D.M. Smith (ed), The Apartheid City and Beyond: Urbanisation and Social Change in South Africa (London, 1992); M. Swilling et al. (eds), Apartheid City in Transition (Cape Town, 1991); R. Tomlinson, Urban Development Planning: Lessons for the Economic Reconstruction of South African Cities (Johannesburg, 1994).
105. In keeping with the political transformation of the past decade, the 1990s have attracted increased scholarly attention to the challenges facing urban reconstruction and development in the new South Africa. See for example, A. Lemon (ed), Homes Apart: South Africa's Segregated Cities (Bloomington, 1991); D.M. Smith (ed), The Apartheid City and Beyond: Urbanisation and Social Change in South Africa (London, 1992); M. Swilling et al. (eds), Apartheid City in Transition (Cape Town, 1991); R. Tomlinson, Urban Development Planning: Lessons for the Economic Reconstruction of South African Cities (Johannesburg, 1994).
106. In keeping with the political transformation of the past decade, the 1990s have attracted increased scholarly attention to the challenges facing urban reconstruction and development in the new South Africa. See for example, A. Lemon (ed), Homes Apart: South Africa's Segregated Cities (Bloomington, 1991); D.M. Smith (ed), The Apartheid City and Beyond: Urbanisation and Social Change in South Africa (London, 1992); M. Swilling et al. (eds), Apartheid City in Transition (Cape Town, 1991); R. Tomlinson, Urban Development Planning: Lessons for the Economic Reconstruction of South African Cities (Johannesburg, 1994).
107. In keeping with the political transformation of the past decade, the 1990s have attracted increased scholarly attention to the challenges facing urban reconstruction and development in the new South Africa. See for example, A. Lemon (ed), Homes Apart: South Africa's Segregated Cities (Bloomington, 1991); D.M. Smith (ed), The Apartheid City and Beyond: Urbanisation and Social Change in South Africa (London, 1992); M. Swilling et al. (eds), Apartheid City in Transition (Cape Town, 1991); R. Tomlinson, Urban Development Planning: Lessons for the Economic Reconstruction of South African Cities (Johannesburg, 1994).
108. See D. Dewar and R.S. Uytenbogaardt, 'South African Cities: a Manifesto for Change' (Urban Problems Research Unit, University of Cape Town, 1991); D. Hindson, A. Mabin and V. Watson, 'Restructuring the Built Environment: Phase One Report' (Report to Working Group 5, National Housing Forum, 1992).
109. See D. Dewar and R.S. Uytenbogaardt, 'South African Cities: a Manifesto for Change' (Urban Problems Research Unit, University of Cape Town, 1991); D. Hindson, A. Mabin and V. Watson, 'Restructuring the Built Environment: Phase One Report' (Report to Working Group 5, National Housing Forum, 1992).
110. 'Urban Repair', Natal Mercury, 30 May 1997.
111. TCRD, Physical Environment Service Unit Report for Committee, Greater Warwick Avenue and Grey Street Project, November 1995, p. 5.
112. The type of municipal institutions which would best suit post-apartheid South African conditions was the subject of considerable discussion. The metropolitan approach was seen as a form of local government which was appropriate to meet social needs and reduce inequalities; see Government Gazette, 13 March 1998, pp. 78-84. The Durban metropolitan area refers to the spatial and functional inclusion of previously disadvantaged areas which had been excluded from benefitting from the tax base of the city.
113. 'Physical Environment Service Unit', November 1995, p. 4.
114. Regular consultations were held with representatives from 21 organisations, who formed the Greater Warwick Avenue and Grey Street Forum; 'City's Plan for Casbah Facelift', The Leader, 15 December 1996.
115. Scott, 'Communal Space Construction', p. 371.
116. 'Physical Environment Service Unit Report', November 1995, p. 5.
117. Ibid., p. 13.
118. Statement by RDP spokesperson, Mandy Jean Woods reported in 'New Gateway for City: Revamp for Durban's Warwick Avenue Interchange', Daily News, 23 February 1996.
119. TCRD, Central Council Minutes, 14 June 1996, 'Greater Warwick Avenue and Grey Street Project: Brief Background and Key issues to be addressed'.
120. 'Big Plans for Warwick Avenue', Daily News, 28 February 1996; 'City's Plan for Casbah Facelift', The Leader, 15 December 1996.
121. 'Big Plans for Warwick Avenue', Daily News, 28 February 1996; 'City's Plan for Casbah Facelift', The Leader, 15 December 1996.
122. 'Reshaping the Triangle', Daily News, 26 February 1996.
123. 'Renewal Plan', Natal Mercury, 27 May 1997.
124. See H. Marais, South Africa: Limits to Change: the Political Economy of Transformation (Cape Town, 1998), pp. 160-172.
125. Scott, 'Communal Space Construction', p. 365.
126. 'Urban Development Strategy of the Government of National Unity', Government Gazette, 3 November 1995, vol. 365, No. 16679, p. 10.