MGS102 Weeks 1, 2 and 3: Part 4

MGS102 Contents
MGS102 Weeks 1, 2 and 3: Part 1 | MGS102 Weeks 1, 2 and 3: Part 2
MGS102 Weeks 1, 2 and 3: Part 3

The 1923 Urban Areas Act and its consequences in more detail
A guide line for municipalities, that in time was "adopted by all the towns in South Africa" and played "a major part in establishing the policy of urban segregation [one of the pillars of Apartheid after 1948] which was to be implemented by successive governments."

Amendments to the Act in 1930 and 1937 to implement stricter controls:

  • the municipality of Johannesburg is proclaimed a restricted area for whites only in 1933 "except for the freehold areas of Sophiatown, Martindale and Newclare" (a request dating from 1924);
  • Port Elizabeth asks to be proclaimed a restricted area in 1935;
  • in 1937 all towns outside of the reserves (as established by the 1913 Native Trust Land Act, the 1926 Natives Land Act [Amendment] Bill, and the 1936 Native Trust and Land Bill) automatically became restricted areas:
    • a restricted area: freehold black townships are recognized, but home owners in these areas are not allowed licenses to keep tenants;
    • the establishment of locations to satisfy labour needs: the expansion of Western Native Township, Eastern Native Township and Klipspruit.
Callinicos, L. 1987. Working Life. A People's History of South Africa, vol. 2. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
WL, p. 170-178.
The repression of black musicians
  • Opportunities for marabi musicians in the locations (the black townships);
  • nocturnal musical activites and the night pass;
  • work passes and passports;
  • black bands encounter white musicans and the Johannesburg Musician's Union (later known as the Transvaal Musician's Union);
  • the Liquor Amendment Act of 1934.
Ballantine, C. 1993. Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
MN, p. 66-74.
American influences, black bands and the recording industry
The Jazz Revellers,
The Merry Blackbirds
The Jazz Maniacs
Ballantine, C. 1993. Marabi Nights: Early South African Jazz and Vaudeville. Johannesburg: Ravan Press. MN, p. 3-4.
Coplan, D. 1985. In Township Tonight! South Africa's Black City Music and Theatre. Johannesburg: Ravan Press. ITT, p. 130-139.
Audio Data Track 13 (Jazz Revellers Band, "Sponono", Johannesburg, ca. 1933) from the Marabi Nights cassette recording accompanying MN. [I,3]
Audio Data Track 16 (The Merry Blackbirds, "uMujaji", Johannesburg, ca. 1937) from the Marabi Nights cassette recording accompanying MN. [I,13]
Audio Data Track 21 (The Merry Blackbirds, "Heat Wave", Johannesburg, 1939) from the Marabi Nights cassette recording accompanying MN. [I,14]
Audio Data Track 24 (The Jazz Maniacs with Solomon 'Zuluboy' Cele, "Izikhalo zika Zuluboy", Johannesburg, May 1939) from the Marabi Nights cassette recording accompanying MN. [I,15]
Audio Data Track 25 (The Jazz Maniacs with Solomon 'Zuluboy' Cele, "Tsaba Tsaba", Johannesburg, May 1939) from the Marabi Nights cassette recording accompanying MN. [I,16]

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MGS102 Weeks 1, 2 and 3: Part 1 | MGS102 Weeks 1, 2 and 3: Part 2
MGS102 Weeks 1, 2 and 3: Part 3

End of 4.5.1 Black South African urban working-class music, ca. 1920 - ca. 1945