ABSTRACT
This chapter considers whether protest in Durban presents a counter hegemonic challenge. It focuses on some questions: Are protestors connected, and if so, through which networks or modes of solidarity or sources of inspiration? Do protestors reject procedural channels – are they 'anti-system'? And, do protesters challenge existing political leadership? The chapter describes three Durban protest case studies conducted over certain years. The first is the Umlazi 'Occupy' of 2012 where a group of twelve 'Occupiers' as well as four Durban-based activists were each interviewed individually. The second is based on a sample of ten household interviews in a well-known Durban 'hotspot' for protest, Cato Manor. The third case study is based on a sample of ten household interviews –conversations with individuals in the presence of other household members –in the South Durban basin where there has been sustained opposition to environmental degradation by petro-chemical industries in the area.
