Collective behaviour in South Africa : a case study

Abstract

An attempt was made to use N. Smelser' s seminal work, Collective Behaviour", in analyzing thQ collective episodes of the Soweto 1976 youth rebellion. "Theory of behavioural Smelser describes six determinants of collective behaviour and works on the presumption that collective behavioural episodes cannot ultimately be expressed unless all the conditions occur. The following is a brief presentation of these determinants and the questions which were raised during the study for examination: 1. Structural Conduciveness and Structural Strain. Under these first two determinants, factors which may possibly have contributed to the Soweto uprising were examined: the development of the Black Consciousness philosophy, renewed interest in the Freedom Charter, the struggle against colonial rule in Southern Africa, the housing situation 1n Soweto, the pass laws and homeland citizenship. · 2. The Creation of a Generalized Belief: Here the generalized belief that Bantu Education is was examined, as well as the educational system's contribution to the Soweto uprisings. 3. Precipitating Factors. Attention was focussed on the protest march by Soweto students after tl1e introduction of Afrikaans as a compulsory medium of instruction in certain subjects. 4. Mobilization of Participants for Action: This section focussed on the formation of student organizations, the leadership structure in such organizations, and how they managed to mobilize so many students for participation. 5. Mechanisms of Social Control: In this final chapter, the role played by agencies of social control was examined.