Description
Book SynopsisThis fourth volume in the Hidden Voices Series is about Oukasie, a township in the Madibeng municipality. At various times in its history, its inhabitants have struggled against problems such as forced removals, terrible living conditions and corrupt officials. Bonds of Justice: The Struggle for Oukasie tells the story of a dedicated young group of people who were motivated by their belief that accountable and responsible leadership was needed to improve the situation of their community and its members. Before and after apartheid, they worked together to bring much-needed change to their community. This book tells the stories of those struggles in the 1980s and 1990s, and goes on to describe the problems faced by Oukasie and the wider community when the ethics of accountability were forgotten. The book has many lessons for South Africa today – the benefits that accountable governance can achieve, and what the costs are when a more selfish approach takes root.
Trade Review“In this timely work, Kally Forrest expertly sheds light on apartheid South Africa’s last major forced urban removal. Her detailed research dissects the resistance to the removal, how the Oukasie community was torn apart by the machinations of the apartheid local and national state and the challenges of rebuilding, post-apartheid.” – Alan Morris, Professor of Sociology, University of Technology, Sydney “There was a remarkable leadership cadre that makes Oukasie and Brits distinctive, with a long history of organisation in a highly political struggle.” – Taffy Adler, former organiser for the National Automobile and Allied Workers Union
