The Boipatong massacre and South Africa's democratic transition

The 1992 Boipatong massacre has been widely recognized as a key moment in the South African transition. The massacre is also frequently cited as an example of state complicity in the political violence that shook the country during a period of negotiation and reform. Yet, limited scholarly attention has been given to the details of this event. This book considers the underlying forensics of the Boipatong massacre, but more importantly it examines the ways in which the meanings of the massacre have been contested by different individuals and groups. Analysis of these contestations gives insight into the dynamics of the South African transition, shedding light on the discursive struggles that have defined it.
Free online at http://hdl.handle.net/1887/17825

Year of publication: 2011
Series: African Studies Collection
Volume: 35