Neil Leighton document collection on labor and politics in South Africa, 1986-1989
Scope and Contents
Papers (chiefly photocopies) collected by Neil Leighton in South Africa focusing on Alexandra, popular protest and labor movements.
Dates
- Creation: 1986-1989
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is retained by the authors of the items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. For photocopy and duplication requests, please contact the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections, Michigan State University Libraries.
Biographical / Historical
Alexandra Township, part of Johannesburg, South Africa, dates back to 1912. It was at that time the only place where black people could buy free-hold land. In 1985 as an extension of the apartheid administration the government announced the Black local authorities and Township councils. The Alexandra Action Committee was organized by the citizens of Alexandra as a counter-council to it. The AAC identified the problems as unemployment, harassment by Police and police informers, high taxi and bus fares, low wages, high rents, poor education, poor housing, the demolition of shacks by police, the presence of troops in the townships, and the "bucket system" of sewerage. Mayekiso talked about starting cooperatives for the unemployed and bulk buying schemes to reduce the price of goods. Moses Mayekiso, Paul Tshabalala, Richard Mdakane, Obed Bapela, and Mzwanele Mayekiso were leaders of the AAC. They were all eventually charged with treason and imprisoned.
Extent
1 Linear Feet (1 box) ; 7 x 39 x 26 cm.
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession information unknown.
Varying Form of Title
State vs. Moses J. Mayekiso, Paul N. Tshabalala, Richard M. Mdakane, Obed K. Bapela and Mzwanele Mayekiso.
Table of Contents
Minutes of the Alexandra Co-ordinating Committee (February 17, 1986) and of the Alexandra Action Committee (February 18, 23, March 9, 11, April 7, 15, 24, May 25 1986, June 7 1987) -- Draft Constitution of the Alexandra Action Committee (19 p. ) -- [Transcript], Supreme Court (Witwatersrand Local Division, Case number 115/87, Johannesburg), The State vs. Moses J. Mayekiso, Paul N. Tshabalala, Richard M. Mdakane, Obed K. Bapela and Mzwanele Mayekiso, before the Honourable Mr. Justice van der Walt (p. 2087-3073) -- "Workers at General Motors down tools! South African workers response to disinvesment strategies of US companies" / Glenn Adler (paper to African Studies Association meeting, Denver, 1987) -- "The season of stayaways : popular protest in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage in 1986" / Glenn Adler (paper, July, 1987) -- "Worker participation" / Judy Maller (ASSA paper, 1989) -- "Why do unions change their policies? NUMSA's organisational journey from plant level to national collective bargaining" / Mike Morris -- [Resolutions to COSATU conference, July 1989, chiefly by NUMSA and NUM].
Processing Information
Processed by Hannah Sherman and Leslie M. Behm in December 2013.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Neil Leighton document collection on labor and politics in South Africa, 1986-1989
- Status
- 4 Published And Cataloged
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Hannah Sherman and Leslie M. Behm.
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections Repository