Bo-Tsotsi: The Youth Gangs of Soweto, 1935-1976 (Social History of Africa) [Hardcover]

Clive Glaser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0325002193 | ISBN-13: 978-0325002194

This book explores the style and values of youth gangs in the Soweto area from the 1930s until the 1976 student-led uprising. It also tells the story of how the ANC, PAC, and Black Consciousness movement tried, and ultimately failed, to draw the volatile gangs into disciplined political activity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Clive Glaser uses oral, archival, and ephemeral--newspaper, bureaucratic and private--source materials to recreate the street world of Johannesburg's south-western townships, latterly known as Soweto. His study of tsotsis (a non-work culture is how he describes their world) covers the years from 1935 to the eponymous student uprising of 1976. Working with a field of assistants skilled in the multi-variant street argot, tsotsitaal, a speech sometimes Afrikaans, Zulu, or Sotho-based, Glaser enjoyed rare access to former gang members who explained oft-ambiguous, always amorphous gang identities. Just as importantly, the author delineates popular perceptions of street gangs.”–Journal of Third World Studies

About the Author

Clive Glaser lectures in history at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. He specializes in South African urban history and has published several articles on urban youth culture and politics. He is a member of the Wits History Workshop.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (June 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0325002193
• ISBN-13: 978-0325002194
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,349,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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