THE ANGST OF THE DEPRIVED: INTERROGATING HUMAN SETTLEMENTS-RELATED PROTESTS IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

South Africa has witnessed an upsurge in human settlements-related protests that often turn the streets into perennial spaces of contestations. Using archival data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) from 1997 to 2017 and other sources, this study analysed the ramifications, frequencies and trend of human settlements-related protests and compared indices of service delivery efficiency between South Africa and other African countries. Findings showed that human settlements-related protests have increased in the democratic era, with metropolitan areas forming the epicentres. Indices of service delivery efficiency are higher in South Africa than in other African countries, indicating that protests may not reflect the service delivery situation. Since human settlement-related issues often transcend the purview of local and municipal authorities, an alternative service delivery model that involves communities, local, provincial and national governments is required to bridge the service provision gaps and stem escalating human settlements-related protests.