the cape coloured woman
TRANSCRIPT
THE CAFE COLOURED ~VOK.Ji: -
'ilithin an· industrial co.minunity and at homeo
T H E S--1...§.
SUB:~IYI'ED .:!'OR .tHE DEGREE. OF ~ASTER OF SOC1AL SCIENCE.
\
by
d.NN~~ GERI'HUDE '.'lEISS (B. Soc. Sc.)
UNIVERSITY OF U.d.PE ~- TO'.~'No October, 1950., •
( (
..
The U
nivers
ity of
Cap
e Tow
n
The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non-commercial research purposes only.
Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author.
The U
nivers
ity of
Cap
e Tow
n
TABLE 0 F C 0 N T.E N.T S
~OH LEDGMENT : ..
RODUCTION :· ·rhe raison d 'ttre ot ·this thesis. o o o o.
~"er 11: ..... :tion A:
1tion B:
:tion c:
PART 1: THE /IORKER ~VITHIN THE .l!"'aCTORY:
The Factory as a Manufacturing Organisation o·o;, o o o o o o o o o o o ...
The Factory as a Social Organisation
Community lite in the .Factor yo •. o
The Coloured Group "••••••ooaooo
· The Cape Malay Group • •· •••••••• o
PART II : THE WOMi~i WORKER ~T HOME
ter Ill: The Coloured Woman at Home •• · ••••••••
·ter IV·: The Malay Woman at Home o o. o •••••••••
ter V:
PART-III: ·.FINDINGS: A COMPARISON COLOUR ED•MALAY
The role of the. Coloured Woman within her Social Group • q'o o o o oooo., o o
\
tier VI: The Malay Woman within her social setting ~oooo'o'~,toooooeeoeoeo••o
;er VII: Attitudes of the Coloured and · · Malay Oro~p , ... o o o o o .... • o • o o • o o o o o •• c o
PaRT IV: C 0 N C L U S I 0 N S: - ... ;er VIII: Home and WoJ k ooooooo•c!>oooooooeoeoo
OGRA.PHY:· - . ••ooeo~•ooooooe•ocooeoooeeeoo•••~ooow
'· . ~
. •.
. \
· P.d.GES
1- e
8 ... 16
1'1 - 37
38 ... 45
46 - 69
70 0 111
112 "* 127
128 135
136 .. 142
143 - '14:J
146 - 151 •.
ADD END A.
Reeord Forms,· Questiotma!res e't(q.
·"ecord Forms ••••••••••••••••••••o•••••••••••••••••• Personal Card
······~································ $teps taken to select
control group •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• .Questionnaire •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• -Budgets ••••••••••••••••••••••••v••••••••••••~•••••
Coloured.;..Malay A Comparison ••.,••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
fietorial Representations
The Hieradhy of Authority
Addendum to Pa~e :
8
8
8
111
111
The Hierachy of \iork • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 12
Line of Communications . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . .. ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aims and Obj~cts : llanacement•Woi"ker.s The Human Factor in Indust:y •••••••••••••••••••••••
D.istance f'rom Work •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Spcia~ C~asses. within the FactorY covAGUnitx
Symbols representing workers •••••••••••••••••••••••
(i) ~he Distribution ot' ·social Classes
(ii) Social Class and Age group
(a) 15 - 20 (b) 21 - 30 (c) 31 ;o
(iii) Marital status or women workers
(1v) Age Group and Literacy
.. ,
13
69 onwards
I
\
r_
I would like ·to acKnowledge gratefully che
valuq.lJle guidance and. kind interest of J>rofessor
E. Sat son, 'Cepartmc-n t of Social Science, University of
Cape ':'own who directed this inve~tigation.,
. I am indebted to Mr. I,!. Cassell, Director and
General ~'anager of Acl(ermans Ltd. Cape Ta.vn, whose
sympathetic understanding obtained the permission for me
to make use.of the ~ata availabJ~ to me in my capacity as·
F'ersonnel-Selfare Officer of .tt..Okermans Factory.
N.y thanks arc due to the workers of this
factory, who have patiently and good-naturedly allovred rr.e
to inundate them wit!-; questions, and had made me welcome
when I intruded 1.nto their homes.
The Ton~ Saphra 71urs~ry, administered by the
l;nion of Jewish Women of Soutrl Africa had been awarded to
me for two successive years. I was extremely appreciative
or this f'- .. .c...n.i assistanc.e and the generosity of spirit
which rr:akes this award independent of creed or colour •
.. cknowledgement is due tJ the National Council
for .Social Research which awarded·me a travelling allowance
in for~ of an ad ~oc grant for two successive years.
I wauld like to express my appreciation to the
Head and staff or the Photographic Departrnen t 1 Jagger
Library, U.C.'I'., who have· advised and assisted me in the
lay-out of the pictorial representation of certain data and
have reproduced it most effectively. •
IN Ta-o D U,C I I 0 N.
The raison d vetre of this thesis.
eages: .
Background 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o·o G 0 Q 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2o 5
3o Method or approachooOc)OQOOOOOO 6
TH:t'~ RAISON D'.ETRI~ OF THIS T1~ESIS.
'lo BACKGROUND
· The.ple.n to write a thesis on "The Cape Coloured . .
woman" wa.a conceived a.t the beg1nn1p.g of my a:ppoint..ment
aa Personnel-l,alfare Officer in a. Cloth1:ng Factory in Cape' /
Town three and a .half years a.goo
. As a newly-fledged social worker specialised in • J
"Personnel Hanagament &.nd \Jel.fa.re 11 0 I was offered the
position as \'lelfare Officer 'in a factory0 l>'t})1.ch0 prior to
my ~1gagement~ did not have a post or this description. ' -
·Not only had a. demand to be oreated0 or an urJmown
dem~d to be filled,.but I was also confronted by a com ... ' .
pletely new type· or peoplep in a setting Unknown to my
previous experience. :
It was the setti~g in which I found myself0 11Dked
·w1 th the train1ns in Personnel !·Tanagenent I had reoei vedo I
which developen·e curiosi-ty aa to hows 9 and.whya' which had
to be satisfied.
AS arJ Austrian by b1rth0 with all my schooling com"' ' ( '
plated in Vienna, the racial. problems of my adopted country , I
never formed the natural backsround to my early youtho ·
Though 14 fornative years of my life had been lived-in the
Tranavao.l and ~ra.ta.1 11 the "Colour· q_uest.1ont~ had never con
stituted a problem tinged with persqnal emotionso
I do. not kn0\'1 if this baclq;ro~d 1s an advantage or
a. d.iaad.va.nta.g~ l'then analysing a. community o·f Coloured
people, but unkno'fm to myself it mic;ht have ··influenced my
a-pproach and f1ti~1ngs - and t.hererore 1t must be stated. · . The community which I have trie.d to describe and
analyse ~n the f't;~llotting pages iB ,f'or me not only a .
com~unity of people and. relationships outside myself,
but/" • , " a o o
.,
-2-
but I have been an active part1c1pant'1n its development
~nd growtho I am part or it., and it has become a. part
of myselfo
To be participant ttud observer in one person m1~1t~
on the one hs.r..d.~ allow bias to distort .fa.ctat on the oth~r,
it might make tor greater penetration into, and therefore
understanding of the l1vin~ organism a community represents.
I have str1 ved to\tards 1mpm't5:_al1 ty und&r the expert
guidance and supervision of Px•ofesso:r Batson, UoC. T .. g Cape
I zincerely hope to have achieved it as far es it
fa possible~
In my ~s.paci ty a.s i~elfa.re Cffice:r I was eo on confronted
by some of the llOrkers '\':'ith their domestic problems)) which
"overshadowed" their worl:ing eff.ie1ency o Though many or
these problems had their ~oots in economic d.1fficulties 0 I .
could not but note that something deeper, specific to t~~s
group of people, was involved.
By trial arJd. error in my d.ealings, be it v-11 th the
individual or the group 9 I soon discovered that this
faetory-groupp Tlfh~.eh to the untrained. eye aee:::~.ed one cohes
ive whole, in rea~ity compr1ned two distinct cultural
groups; t.he Ca;pe __ Coloured.~ and the' Cape J"1Ia.laya - each
group \'lith a different attitude and. aprrroach to problema
confronting them in equal.measure.
T'aeraf'ore 0 I realised, the remedies to be pl~eacribed
\-10'\.tld. have to be of different. natures as wallc I
But thts- ;-rae not . my only ta.sko In my o.ouble ca.pa.ci ty
a.s Persqnnel e.nd. 1.ielfare Officer I had not only to \.nc~ea.se
the "trell-be1ng_ ot tho ind.1v1C.ual, hut t1 .. y also to improve
the eff'icieney of t~.e groupc, ;~, more stable labour :rorce
1:ri th the minimum of' s.bsEmtee1sm \l'aa the aim.
Ho\'I could. that be affect.ively achieved \-J1thout even
1o:1ow 1ne/ ,, o o c. " o
, Jr..nowing the :rudiments of l:hat made this }k"'.rticu.lar commun
1ty "tick" ? In,dustrial Pf)ychology~ end tre~ining in the \
problem~ o~ Personnel Management ofrered a theoretical
ba.siso But• was this sufficient for, the practi.cal ~.pproach.
l'then dealing w1 tl.l a s:pecifie eommun1 ty ?
It did. not. soaem ·so to me,
to find out how others heA dealt with this probl~~
I read extensively on what had been 'vritt,en on the
Cape Coloured,. historical, socia.l0 and economiCo- But bf"'
it IoDo du Plessis's "The Cape Nals.ya. t1 J .. S. rr.e:rtd.s 0s "The
Oe.pe. coloured Peoplau, Govel'll!I)ent Reports!) such aa the
Report, of the Cape Flat Cowm1ss1on, the, annual r~:porta o:f'
the Coloured Advisory Counc1~, the publications o:f',the
Institute of Race Relations$~ or -cruse 0a "Die opheff,.ng van
die Kleurl1ngabevolk1ng," it gave me a general outline only
with which to tackle my specific problemo
·The nearest approach t.o my problems I found in :i:rika
Theron 9s Haster 11 e thesis: "Fabriokswt~rksters in Ka.apatad-
. ( 'n sosiologieae studie van 540 Blanke en Klaurlin(l}·
Fabriakswerksters) • tt
\
Erika Theron~ 1n this pioneerinG work on the i~dustr1a.l
\·iorker in Cape TO'b"ll'l composed her picture on a largo C9.n'ras o
She visited 165 fa.et.or.lee and the homes of 5"3 per cent. of.
her aubjectso This furnishecl extremely 1nt~rost1ng, r.tater-
18.1 on. the industrial population of _Cape Towna :tt.a t;rorking
conditions and home backgr.~und.
This very exteria1ve study hc'\d to .exclude t.he invoa-ti~
gatlon 1nto the specific problema c:reated 'lf-tl thin an 1ndu:at.
r1a.l community ..
'
"dressed up" ·information.
m•r • .- I ... .. r • ., • o
.,
, Thb npec:1t'1o PJ!oblems :t oncotmtor.ed. 1n my ~r~rk
d.ea.linr; with t\lfO cul tura.l grottpe. wi t.~hln o:na oonrnuni ty
m~da 1t ~dvlsable Zor Qe'to concentrate on an ~ntar~1vev
rather than s.n aAtensi\1"9 study ..
BeinG ~. soc1el \'tor!rer dealing lT~~th welfare ma"t!t~ra
-made ma a.. trusted and acce11ted. rne:n"be:r of. that community~
wh1ch eased. my task conniderably"' \
Questions ~htoh had to be antnun·~d 1n order to fulfil
effect.i vely the demands my job m~J.(le upon me were the toll ow ...
ing:
1. ~fuy \-rae there a. split betwatm the Coloured and I1.8.lay ·groups '\'ri thin the faotory ?
(a.)
(b)
(c)
\vhat lras t,he reason for this d1v1t;ion ? ' I -
Did th!s d1vts1on affect working e1'f.1c1ency ?
If this was the case could anything be done to overcome th1s breach ?·.
2. What 'tra.s the relationship \'Tithin each group ?
(a) \'las there a spec11"'1o soo.ial st:ructilre noticeable wi t.l'Jln each e-:roup ? ·
(b)i If this was·the case0 on what premise was . , 1t based ?
(c) Ir a definite uattsrn of class .distinctions within eaoh- eroup '\-rae foun&~ how then. dld 1t effect this group and the worlting comrn1.m.c> ity ·e.a a \'1h0l3 ?
3,., Did. the fact t~.at 90 per ce:nt of the '\'tork1ng cnmmun~ 1 ty consisted of \'IOmen affect the answers to the previous questions in ~ny way ?
rn the cours~·of my duties 1 soon found out the.t the ' ~ . f
split .between the Coloured and ~~ala.y sections was based. on
soc10c->t~e11g1oua di:fferences; that 1 t did e:rfect \'TOr king \
ef'f'1ciency detrimentally and that this breach between the
two sections could possibly be ~vercom~ by fostering a
community spirit by Joint-actlvitieao
I soon realised also tha:t there were def1n1 te class
'
' ( ,«=:...:.,
,,;
dist1nct1ens witt!n ~e.oh group wr.J.ch cUd not. haVfJ an
class diatinct,.onn t·rere not to':.ttltleo. on tho ooo.no.:1ic: struct· ,
ure on wh1ch trork1tlt;. e.f:f'ic1slicy· was baaed, but seemed to
have their roots outeids the factoryQ
- In my capacity as social worker it soon Lrrrpres.se.d ~.t
self upon me t!lat women &t wcrk are never fe~ awny from·
·home a Their domost1c problamsp their emot!~nal attac~ent ' . . I
are of majo~ 1mportance to the~ and dotarm1na avd 1nflu9nce
th3tr wor-Ir.1ne; lifeo'
In o:rd.er to a.nswar aatisractori.ly the qu.eations which '
had ar1e~11 1n the com"ae or my duties I .realised tha.~ not.
only the atru.eture o:f the worklne; cornmun1ty lit!t11d. have to
be an!:tlya ed-c · but tho worker ,.,·ould also have to ne.· trq:cad to
her home., and hor home aurroundinss invea~igal:.ecl.
This then gave me tha rais .. qn j}. u ~t-~ for embarking upon
this thas1eo
2.. Tift: STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS :
Afte:r• ~cnsultaticn with Professor Batson it llas decided '
that I. should make a thorough analysis or the tactory as
a. sqcia.l O:£•gan1sa:t.1on... .. \'iit.h1n this setting I could t~en
analyse ·t.he social st.~ ~;tnra or the two ColoUI•ad grot\ps
represented therain.·axld'tlteir partlo1pation in ita e.ct1vit1eso
·As the cult, ural bac1{ground. of these two groups 'resul.ted
in different behavit1ur a.."ld attitudes l'lith1n the working
commur.t.1ty those l'rould !mve to be described ..
To gat et the root of ·t.he d1i'ferenoes the honea. ot• the
workers would l4~VG to ba ViSited and biographical material
' collectedo
· The bioer~ph1cal matel"'ia.lv t.hen0 ahould give a. picture ' '
' of' the largex· · soc<ie.l· frame wi th1ri \1hich tha Coloured and
Malay/ .. o o.., ~ o
•
Ma.la.y communi ties 11ve "" and \'th1ch in turn influences·
their behaviour pattern· noticeable in the :factory community.
34 rTETHOD OF APPROACH :
" I composed a. question1mtre, d.eallng ~ .. ;it~- ""
(a) the 11o~ker in ·the :faot.ory and
(b .. 'J' th ,_ t h . _a 't'tor~a.r a _om&,
\'Thio.h· t:a.s pur~l.y ·tc act a.a a gu1d.e fo~k" myself i:1 tvhat
1nfor.na.tion I was to seek in. inforrca.l int,e::r..rie'\'l"S. I
Ha.v ing i'to::r.lted fer over s. yea..r w1 thin thi:3 c cmrntmi ty, '
I hr.d loarned already that tho· 1l'Cl"!tf.!rs. feax•ed an11 "rcre '.
aunp1Q!oua or 2.ny written sta.tenents they .had. to !"..D.lte, or
t.hat \-1ere made on th(;~ir beh.'llf\. Vi!'dl.o they l·:are not.. only
·willing but eo.c;er to talk about t!:~-:1selves 11 their .families
and their circu..'lstances when quentit:rt!ed sympath9tically~,
they closed up :t:.&e<1la.tely "Hhml t,hti~Y thought that; statements
were taken dolrn 1n writing.
They d.1d n.ot mind. rny ""11"1 t:tn-.3 a 1)00lt about t.ham" 0 as
I had cx.plaine(l ny 1ntereat in thsir affalro, as loJ16 aa
they as 1nd1vidua.ls could remaiL anonymollil.
This ~ish I have respQctad throughout this 1nvest1~
gst1onc and no 1n11v1dual biography, or budget has been usedo
All bi03%'9.Ph1.es and bUdgets are t.he result of composite
p1ctttres constructed out of L~orrnat1on gained within ea~h
social class.
Information on the factory str-ucture and the wo~kers / ,
\'Ti.t,hi'h th:ts structure 't'ra.s gained 1n the course of my duties
as Personnel-Welfare Off1oer~ Absentee records. records
ha.V13 to be kept UJ>:>tO=dste and are a.IW .. lysed by me/ I)egularlyo
~tr duties to create'and organise soc!sl &~d eduo~t1onal • ' I '
a.et.tvities~ to suporv1ee health .and \\ralf9.re .!:"..,'1\en1tieB
I
ke~-p/(. c n (J o o
..
·"
/
. ·7
' '
keep me in close dally contact \·lith the. \vor:{era ..
Sick via1·ting gives tne a.ccoas to the workers homes,. trying ' to help them overcome ihe1r_;d1f't1cult1es makes m;a tralcome.,
Financial o.1d$ ,adL~1n1stcrtid by :me, glvea .me the ri[;ht to \'
• as!t queet.ior...e"
. i . Adr.11 t1onally, I or:ga.niso nnd attend many .soc1s.l
' functions., r h,aNe boor.:. :tnvitad t.6 rna.n;r l-veddint.Jl» and
funerals, ~t~end
pol:lct) enq,v.:tries, visit hospitals,
·In· normer.:t1on with family pro'blens I !wd. to eeeJr help \
or r~r1vice or norely 1r,fol"TJ.;~tion i:'J:•on mirJ.st.ers C•f the C11urcht"J (
fl->om doct,ors, lauyers, tsa.che:-s, social II'Jcrkersp Goverr..ment
All -t.i1ia . g~7e rna t.r..e cpport\L.:.l:t.y to c;at. acqiw.int.ed. . ' . '
\
tii th tho way of 11fo of 'both Colotired. gr.;;upa,' tl1o1i.., interests
ru:.d n:t.ti'~ue.e~ "t<iith1n thelr socin.l ·e"Jttir~, and .ita re:p!Z!rL ...
cuao ions · t:!t.r..in the factory concuni ty <•
I I alco made ~ 1ntons1va etuo.y .c:r tl1e ·11o~kin:5 effic-
iency ~d heme b~pl~rcund o£ 100 wanen Eelec~ad according ' .
to tho method c .. '·. 'emtTolletl. samples, I visited the homes
cf. these J.OO t-romEJ .. l 0 I got to· knoH their faw111os nnd
collsct,ed bior~·aphlcal material"
In tho course of my factory duties 1S~.pprox1mcyt,GtJ.lf· 15 .
to 20 ·\'!orlwr~ ·s~ok 1ntE>rvi o/aa 1'11 th me ee.ch c1ay. !n sdd1 tion
t;c th1c, I spea.k dai.ly to a number of 1>1orkers a:t their
\
Throe tc 1"1ve w·orkm,.n are ";ie.ltea. in their horn.~s
on the~a oce!_\Sions . .'
In the· second year .I t.~.lso pnid ··;, . :.J·~bsr or v~.sits
- 8 ....
during weekends and eveningsp .but· generally concentrated
more on attending social functions,
The data I gained in this way has been recorded in
the .following pages.
•
..... I
' ~ r,_. _,_
RECGBD FOBil: Ao .The Worker within thg Factot~o .. •
Clock Noo __ _ 'ame -------...:Dept: ___ occupation: __ _
Started work: -·- Present Wage: _____ MaxoWagea _____ on ____ _
Previous Occupationsa
• Absence from: _ to _ days poannum -----:Reasons:
Date of Birth: ________ SumeWodosepoRelo ______ Educ~Standard ____
Efficiency Rating -----------------------------------------Distance to work: ___ Fare: ___ Food at work------
Activit .. ~s within Factory:
lo Vo1untarY contributor to' AmO~nt per week CompulsorY Trade Union Industrial
2o
3.
a) Holiday Saving Fund b) Worker's Sick Fund
c) Xmas Fund (Children) d) FOSA ~ various~~ollections
TOTAL:
-..~-~ .. -•---o~---_____ .... _ ....... ._, __ _
............ -. .. -o~-~-..... -
..... -. ... -.---------~ _______ .., _________ _
..... --------IC)I--C» ---------
Councilo Sick Fund Unemployment Personal Ta:· Income Tax
Active Participant 1n: (at any time during one year). a) First Aid Classes From . to Dipl.yes: nt b) Home Nursing From to " .yes: nc c) Lunch time sewing regularly - sometimes a never d) Physical Culture Classes " " tl
e) Attend lectures,bioscope n
t) Serving on any Committee (i) Sick Fund (ii) Kitchen (iii)Forewoman
l!! o no
(1v) Shopsteward (v) FOSA
I
Beneficiary of: (over one year)
a) Workers Sick Fund b) Union " n
e) Union Doctors " Yes - !tl! d) Workmen's Compenso •. e) Holiday Saving • • • • • • t) FOSA • • • • • • g) Collection • • • • • •
" "
Amount per annum
How does the worker spend her Rest•periods? (10 a.m., 3.30 ,.n (1 - 2 p.m.) :~
Conclusion§: Q!ln Observations - result g:f interyiews a) Social Statuf o:f worker within Factor.· ') Attitude to \1' manageEent '
(ii2.:BfiD1-Europeen Supervis!Jr . . ( 1~ . co-w~rkers.
c) Tf.Pe · "'f~ !}~.~.-~ ~i-t;;t f"~~t:n,.v ., ~.., +Wi-"r .,. 'V -
etco
RECORD FORM: · i• The Worker and her Familyo {To be used as guide for .collecting biographical material)
Address: -------------------------------------------Type of Area------- Type of Dwelling------
Furniture: --------------~-----------------------------Condition of dwelling: (clcanliu~ss, state of repair etco
1 The Household - at time of investigation (member working at factory marked by asterik)o
age occupation . school Sto Wag!
1. Head of household
2. Wite -------------~- -----3. Children of marriage living in house
a.)
b) c) etc.
4. Other members of family (grandparents, aunts, uncles etco
a) b) etce
;. · Children of former marriage or alliance of husband or wife a)
6.
7. 8.
b) etc. ... Foster· children a) ... b) etco Boarders,
Lodgers
Antecedents of Householder, wife and Factory worker back to grandparents of father, wherever possible - see BI, Economic position of household Members contributing to expenses Amount Source
1. • •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2 ••••••••••••••••••••••.••••••• 3. • ••••••••• 8 ••••••••••••••••
4o •••••••~••••e••••~•••••••••
Expenditure: a) Household necessities
(enumerated according to P.D.Lo principle (C.T.Soci~l Survey) b) Other expenditure such as Hire Purchas·e goods
contribution to club& etco
Members of the Fpmilz -a) Life Insurance b) "Lodges" (Sick Funds) c) Burial Societ7 d) Church Clubs e) Sport Clubs 1') any other
members or or volyptarx contributors to. Monthly payments: a) Hire Purchase b) Lay by c)· Debts d) Any other
/V.
o II cv
RECORD FORK B (Contda)
Active participants ina a) recreational act111t1es (sport, inc.hiking,caL>pili:; :·. b) educational " (evening clas·sos, training foi.·
c) social " trade etc.)
(i) social work ••• (e.g.V.A.Do,FOSA, Sunday schr,(':: teaching etc.)
(ii) · social gatherings (entertaining, dances, p&:·:tl-gambling, etc.) ·
(iii) cultural- active interest in art; 11teratcuc.., dancing (1oeoEoan g!'oup)
!1& "Morbid features" ot familY life:
1. Illness - permanent disabilities, periodic disabilities. ·
2 o De linqusncy 3. Abnormal behaviour traits - heavy drinking9
gambling, sexual 1rregularit1esc
a) Income: contribution household: pocketmoney. Distribution of pocketmoney.
b) Household duties: ··.general · duties bef'ore coming to work duties when coming home over week-ends.
c) Privileges - ,(may entertain visitors etc.)
d) Attitude of wo~ker to household Attitude of household to worker
VIII: Accor~ and discord wtthin the familY ctrgl!• · At~achment to eac othar.
IX.~ /
Social status of the family within their community attitude of the family towards the community attitude of the eommunit!" towards the family.
(This information is gained by analysing III, IV, V VI, interviews with members·or the family and others who have contact with family. (e.g. friends, neighbours, ministers, teachers, etc.) •
•
lo
.4.
5o
I took the number of women work~rs employed by Aekermans Facto~y, Cape TQwn, on 1.4.1949 as fixed basis for the figures arriv~d at below• As our labour-turnover is very low the number or womekl employed in the different groups will not change very much during the following year.
The wages p1id at that date are also taken as basis.
Number of w 'mep at wgrk onxn 4.1949. • ~· ..- ••• o • .2.22• of which art ColOure ••• o 1 s lla(ay •••• .2.,2.
(, I
v
I then divided this number into the following age-groups:
T 0 T A L F A ~ I Q R It GROUP I- born between Jan.l88? - Dec~ 1908 (40 + ) No. 13 GROUP II - n n n 1909 - II 1918 (31-40) l~o., 32 GROUP III - n n " 1919 - ;.,n 1928 (21-30) No.112 GROUP IV - It " " 1929 - 1?_33 (15-20) !lo. 63
The age groups were then subdivided into Colo'lr.:td - Malay T o ~A L F A C T 0 R II
GROUP I - 40+ : Coloured: 9 ; - .Mala7a 4 GROUP II -31-40 I Coloured: 17 • - Malaya 15 ' GROUP III -21•30 I Col'JUred: 82 • - .Malaya 30 ' GROUP IV -15-20 • Coloured: 4? ., - Malaya· 16 2 ALL GROUPS: TOTAL I \;oloured: 155 ; - llalay: 65
6o a) I require approximately 100 women ror the purposes of the investigation at a ratio of Coloured and Malay as shown within the factory. .
b) The sample group should also show the same ratio of age and race groups as represented in the factoryo
c) All wage groups should be represented.
d) All occupations should. be repres~nted.
e) Residential Areas, in which the workers live should also be taken into consideration to ~et a representative picture of the Coloured and Malay community within the Factoryo
a)
b)
To allow for "wastage" I decided to take 120 women in my group to be investigated and arr-ived at the following figures: "§ A M P L E G R 0 U f~: N U M B E B S~
GROUP ·I • 40 + J Coloured:· ~ ; Malays: 3 ; TOTAL: 8 GROUP II • 31 - 40 ; Coloured: 11 ; Malays: 8 J TOTAL: 19 GROUP III • 21 • 30; Coloured: 41 ; Malays:l9 1 TOTAL: 60 GROUP IV - 15 • 20J Coloured'· 25 f Malays a 8 ; TOTAL: 33 T 0 T A L NQ.~. Coloured: 82 1 llalays:38 ' TOT.AL:l20
ic) 'o o o
9o
c)
. d)
e)
a) b) c)
d)
e}
t)
g)
- II -
fo be able to have all wage groups represented in the sample group I compiled a table of 'ages and incomes• of the whole factory, diYided into bepartmentso
To ~urvey the position ot occupations within the factory I compiled lists or occupations an6. wages in the differ• ent Departments o~ the factory.
I then 1zoned 1 the workers and made a list of Residential areas from which our workers come and their number residing in each district& For further refer·ence I worked out the montnly cost or their transport to work.
To arrive at the actual 'sample group' I took all Personal Cards (see sample) which are normally kept in alphabetical order according to D_epartments, and divided them:• · into Coloured and Malay . subdivided the cards ·into age•g.roups; picked at random halt the required number tor each group1 . checked up· on the wages and occupations represented 1n this group; re-ordered the remaining Personal Cards into wage, instead or age-groups. !ook another third·or the required number to make up the· still missing wage and occupational groups in the 1 sample•group'Q Put the Personal Cards I had arrived at in my sample group into ~rder otResidential Areas of the whole factoryo . . . Added to my number those cards of workers who lived in areas I still wanted to be represented.
These steps (8(a)v(g) I took separately for the Coloured and Malay~Groupso I tried to avoid members of the same family in my sample groupo This was particularly difficult for.the Malay-group, as there was less choice to satisfy all demands. In the end I found myself with six more Malays in my samr.le-group than I had originally intended to haveo This brought my·' sample group• to 126, at which I left it at the momento
lOo Origina:'.ly, ~ccording to the ratio represented I w..a.nted the .f'ollowirg number of workers in my age=groups; \ln
brackets is, the number which I have actually chosen):-
GROUP I - 40 +; Col: 4 GROUP II • 3lu40;Col: 11 GROUP III • 21•30;Col: 45' GROUP IV 1' ;.. 15'-20;CG1: 24 TOTAL: ALL GROUPS: Col: 84
( 5}. (11); (4~,)' (25')•;
(82);
Malay: 3 (3); TO!AL 7 ( 8) Malay: 7 (8)• TO!AL 18 (19) Malay:l7 (24J TOTAL 62 (65) Malay: 9 ( 9) TO!AL 33 (34) Malay:36 (44) TOTAL 120(126)
11. or the workers chosen I made two lists, one tor Coloured, one for M~l&ys.with all particulars. I also tilled in a ;Personal Card· for each worker 1n my sample Group, taking all details from ay factory recordso
The sample group arrived at in the fashion described above, recorded on lists and Personal Cards represent the group ot workers whose home background and efficiency standard at work I intend investigatingo
P:\R'r J.. -------.-.-~ ........ ·-
C. ~! :\ :' T f: ?- I .. ------.-.,..· ... --.---_.......,._
l-'8 '"'e~: ··-... -J.-..........
'l'ha Settin; • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 • • • • • • • • • •
8
2. .. 9
'!h2 H:.tc'rachy of Aut.hoz·! ty • • • • • • • • • ¢ • 0 • • • 0 •
10
11
t,,;,. ... , .......... .,o•os.:•••o•.>
13
6. • • e • o o ~ • • 14
7. !!;duzt:rinJ. J. ~;htsJ.~.t:to7tl ::tp;:;:tir;e.blo to the. Clothin.?.; Ind.ust.r·y .................... .
15'
. I
-8a-
THE fACTORY A:::> ,A MAJ;IUFACTURING ORGANISATIOll o
·1, THE SETTING:
The-setting is a Clothing Factory in Salt River,
CoP. .The factory is easily accessible from all
parts of Cape Town and its suburbs, as it stands on
the main road,-the main artery from which industrial,
business and residential areas spread out.
Buses pass the factory every few minutes 0 Salt
River Station is not far away.
The Building itself stands at a corner, offering
its new facade to the main road • lt appears to be
. a single-storey Bui.lding only, but when one turns
to the left from the main road into a little side
street, one realises that the Factory is built on
a slope. A large basement floor when coming in at .
the front entrance develops into a ground floorwith
a large yard and outside buildings from the side
stree·ta
Offices, Despatch Department, Storerooms are in
the upper part of the building which is comparatively
newo One workshop with 30 workers is also in that
. part of the building o . The factory proper consists. of one lar~;..; Floor
holding all types of sewing machines, steam presses,
cutting tables, etco
and a half hours dailyo
Her~ 250 workers spend eight
This ·part of the building is much older than • the upper part and as a result the Workshop is
not·· constructed according to the latest ideas '
in factory planning"' Although there
are/ o o o (' o o e
-- l" f~-,.:<:~ - . · .. ,; -*"4 ; -~-: - ",._, f-,, -C'I •
0 .. ? +., ...... ~"! 't ....... , J... t~ ..... - - no- • .:;> 11 aJ"
spece in the middJ.e o:r the i"J..oor is d.ar!: and. :raqu1reg a:rt1.,.
f1c1al illumination. I
Thoro !o ,no mod\'3rn vantiJ.at:ton system to. suok L"'l used f
air,· e.nf.!. to distribute :f'r·esll air/)' J,t 0110. s1d.c of the Floor
"lior:::.sb.cp ls oP e torio. •
.1- There ie t$Uf.fic:tont s:p~ce ::-~Ys.ilab;te to e-.lla'fJT fo~ a:nple
j
I.
I '
.,
ro~m bet,'rtoe-n ·the benches
On ~s li'loor tho 5h1 .. rt. ana. cJ.othill3 Sc·~tione e..re I .
. THE l.AY-'OUX...Q.~ THE.: JJ'AOTOJi~.
At the back o_r t..l).~ rr.u.in Floor 1a the· Factory l1a...~s~r0 a
0ff1ca0 the Sick Roo:n:- and on a platf'oz-mc o·vorlook1~ tha . '
Floor and the. Sial~\ aoc:::, th,e l?ersonnol Of'f1csl..,c s Office('
The main entrant,t.e O.."ld. e;d. t to and .r~·om the Factory
file p~M.l't ·to st!' ... 'IJ; t:1cir clockoar0211) "'hEm entering or l~av-,
e:venine;o Built ·t-.. l,O!lSS1fie the yard~ a. later .e.d1.U ti(ln to
·thE.· .Facto.ry0 are t.he OJ.:Jel-:rcoma ~ .r~ the Ca."'lteen ... ,
.,-jTORY rRODUCTION : >~ ............... __..
The ~ctocy .produces for its O'l.rl!l De:oartnontai st.o:r:es
a variety of men°s and. boy 0s clothir!g, tU1d undenrea..~. The
.j Clothing section, 1-rlth 1,\p:qroximo.tely 110 ~;orkGra 0 manu"'" I '
shorts' raincoe.:t.e' etc!) 0 e.ecord.ins tc the scag cng.l demands
.of the Stores.
In the Shirt section all types o~ ehirts and. py .. 1amaa
are made, while tho Underwear saet1on pz:oduoea a.J.1· typee
of/ o ~, o o ••
:li >)\<
'
...
' '
/
-1<?
The trpe of gD.rment produced. c.eponde. on the as.lt3s - '
demands of t.he Stores,· and. as t-hese change cont1nuolisly,
no long term production -pla.nn1n,; ·can be ma.de 11 e.nd 1-Tanagomar.~.t
and ~:or1m:rs have to 'be fairly :vsrs~tllo.,
produced ev-er a lon~ neriod and hardly r..ny cht-1.1"1--;:~o-o-.. .. e~s take
nlncc in i>.~orkinr; -procedu.z•e.
About 30 w0rlr.ers in .the Shirt SectionJ ~.nd about 40 1n
the Clothing Section a.ra ·i10!'k1.T".f~ at n speed d1cts.ted by t~he ,
conveyor-belt alon; tvhinh they ar41 a! tt.1nr;; .. Tho \'FOrk 1n
each soction is vary speoial~.sed, a·nd besides n. fnl'r oporationsp - .
>;'lh~ch need vor:v li:t.tle ,train.'tns, au.oh es the cleanin5 (cutting
threads off) o-r a. garme·nt 11 tho l'rcrr1-rera are 110t int3rchz.nge
nble; that ifl, .if e. g1.rl start-a \:~01'1\: in .the Sh~.rt. nsction o-r
tho fc.ctor;r 0 1 t 1.s to be 'expectt•d. the.t t~he will ~1ork all her
THY~ JIIZf'lli.CHY OF AUTHOHT'JIY :
The fate of t.he fe..etory le c19sely linlred up 't'ti ~h that
T(1a J.)ii.·ectors of the concern ·
li~1lt: bet.;r<3on tl1em and tho J.'actory ls tho G-t'.meral !ir;~.naser 0 who . \
(On t·ho stnff. !a anybody who is pcd.(\ monthly, in, .rJo:n:t,ra.st to
the t!orkers "\'iho a1"e paid weekly) o ThG F'!l.Ctory Staff cons1at,s .
Th0 F'a.ct..ory ~~ana.gcr is ··1n ~harge of production and 1e.
1!1 d.:lr.oct CCl'lta,'Ct '!tli th the Dsps.r-tmente..l r.::an~t.:)G!'So a.nd has the
I.
~c-1 ~. J~: <-~~ GOOC
,,
They. give th~ir dJ.rectiona to the' Fcrcmc:n and· Sup:-:!"··
The
' I
line (~f the ov.;orko~s v.ndo: ... thena
reasons fo::." tht'll intoZV't1E•1 ·;
'
4o 'l'HE Hil~'P ... \CHY OF 'l'l<?M ~
•.rhe hi(;hest. pe:td job j.n the factory il z.s tar as the \
\tor1rers are concerncd 0 denand1:ng the :;r8atest s.mcunt of al::111, \
1a tha:t of the.~ Cutter. This Job and t110SE) of the :Pranser~
cor..n~cted. ,d, t!l the produ.otior.L of a ja.c1c-~t ivh:t~11. a:t•e trad-.,
i ticnelly only done by l:'lala (I~e.la.y) Hachinist.s o
micel for t-~19 employer t.o onc;o.g~ ·femal~ labour" In •'l;.'ll"'
Jrke:r-a o
' ma.chinis t/ o o o o o •
I
GRAPHIC SUMMARY OF CHAPTER ONE
THE HIERARCHY OF AUTHORITY: • ,-StatutorY- Acts .._
=frade Union EmQior-ers· Association
BOARDOFDIRECTORS j production J J administration
factory manag~r 0 0 accountant \ 0
d~pt. manag~rs 0000 p~r~nnel O[JOIJ[JStatistical control \ off1c~r
OD!l!JormJ \ \ OO!llliJ[]!JDD wag~s & r~cords
~mm~~~oom \ \
sup~rvisors
s~t il~ad~r s
work~rs:---lllllilllllllmmllmmUIIIIIIIIIIII~ .. IIlliiWIIIIIII!I!I:III!! 1!WIII!iliiWI
THE HIERARCHY OF WORK:
t factory manager
I patt~rn maker
J· cutter
I sup~rvisor ...
f . lay~r-up I presser
machinist liron~r I ex ami tter
I mark~ r /bobbin-girl cl~aner /.slop~r /folder
REMUNERATION
monthly salary
monthly salary
£6·0·0 w~~k1y male
£3·13·0 •• f~male
£4:12·6 .. male ' . .
£3·0·0 ·· female
£2·0·6 .. female
th~ wc;tg~s ~num~r~t~d or~ maximum wag~s exclusive cost of l1vmg allowance.
•
I'
·.~.
-12
•.. ,..,,-!'; (.1,..; ...........
. :n a:t'() eli vid.ed
those 'J:o achieve s. high
f ' cone1.d.erat.:1.onz. mr;.!::e ~;.t
. '
the garment. at d1 f'ferent s ta~es of ~ ts pr-orluc t.1 on for :tau1 ta ): ..
Folders, et.c,.
three years· is £2. 0., 6" a ~mek.,
It is the aspiration of everv 1"!GWCC!"1Cl" to be c~.'ass1~1ad - v . \
enployrnent 0• once she laavof'l one job to scaJr anothel", 'Amongst
• ~ l
·I I I
LINE OF COMMUNICATION
., Board of Directors 1.: ill
~ to 0 ..
~ Factory Managers ., ~ to u
'-.Departmental .,. ~:.: to u ..
~ Supervisor ~
~~ to · 0 ~ t; ~Workers who move abou j • ~
\;..,. and ((,<>... ~
(.~worker to workerV · ._({., at machine
Ords • rumo>Jf~~ 'liL. ..M lllll~)·um our!-7
,..Personnel Officer c::- . I .
g ~~oTic~ BOARD. 1
. -{
BUSHTELEGRAPHY jumps across- all layers ·of . commumcatton
rna.cllili.:!.EJ~t,a a~ai~.tu tr.t:!~~l cvvo~\:~~fl E!::..~\~ .. cpel~u·tiOllS <in cJ1\L.ai11 I
. . \
ment than othe.r·s o
. .
Anything \'thich has ·to be communica:ted to all workers
will be put on the bla.ckbotu•d. \':hich stands at the exit. door,
If any urge~t message has to be given, the blackboard will be
carried around tl1.e :floor by one of the Natives who conatant.ly
spray t:l.nd S\teep bet\l'teen '\'tork bHnches" . Notices can be pin.."''led
on a notice boardo :t\r.~.ythil:Jg concerned 11'11 tll prrodJiQt:l.on '\>~11·1·
. be t.olct to the 3uperviaor by her Departmental Mana.ger0 -or
The Superv1aor·than will
give the necessary information to' the 'vo1:•kei'"s concerned"
$h0 t.alke. to t:.ll Supervisors·and gives ~ .
thC'il" ·~·:·::JT2Lo 0!' of s.r.:j Pe.l:'SO.i.1-~1 t .. l';.)U'bles they 0 or ar.y 01' the •
Individual
pl~inta ~r quG~ies I
~. elf:ar·e. 0:ff'icer.,
r)n apon.ially
.. '
-14
responsible a.~d these have to bo ta.Jten up to the ofr1ce
once a day. ' .Otfic1ally the workers are told. very
-11 ttJ.e, lfunofficiallytt they know in an 1ncr~d1bly short time
pretty \i'ell everything thn.t is going on or going ·to hAppen "" . - ' '
but very often in a badly garbled fashion. There 1s def,~
in1 tely a. form of" bush telegraphy 1n existence,. If a I
stranger enters the !tanager's O:f'fice, a dea~r.1-pt1on of himc
the possible purpose of }!.1s visit will be \thispel~ed from
ma.chirle to machine~ .from: one corner of the factory to the
' ' other,·be:f'orc he has even had a chance to sit dol'mo l!ost
oper?-tions done by the experienced worker need llttle concenv
tration., and th~ mind is '·rree to wander .. ---
. F:'.;ery worker is doing .the samep or very ·simil.a.r opera.-
tiona daily. They each do only s. very smnll part of a 5ar"" ' .
ment, such a.s portion or .a cuff", a collar, a poc~et 11 etc.
If' the worker is t~ken away from a particular Job0 she will
e.s a rule n.ot take kindly to it·" Habit is stronger than
boredom. 'She would have to strit£5Sle l'fith a new aet of movo-j .
menta, her speed would d.ecrea.so, she \lrould have to hurry to
keep abreast of her-worl-r11 it -vrould tire and irritate her.
Only very few worker~ are keen to be moved about, to loam
different operations, different machines. · They definitely
represent the elite~ and. are the potential Forewom~n and
leaders of their 3:r•oup~
6.. \10RICD·7G ~ONDITioti§ :
The working conditions 1n the factory are sat1s~actoryo
There 1s ample apa.ce 11 good lightp good ventilat1on0 and' work.__. \ -
1 1ng benches and chairs, built apcordir1s to factory regula-
tions, are co~fort~bloo
T'nera .is no danBer to health attached to the ~rorko
l·!aterials mie;ht sometimes be a\'lkwa.rd tp work with0 but no
' .
•
I 'I
I
Unhealthy futles cr pn.rtialss can be breathed 1n.. The
a.ecident l"a.te is oxtl"Gl'llolJ lo\'r and consists a.s a rl.lle or
only m1nor)m1~hapa~ such as. a need~e, through a f1ngor0: a
burnt, e:.c. · The oruy· d.B.ngerou.a rna.ohines are the elect~ical~y
operated' cutting .maohine.n, t?lrl.ch ere tro~ked by· highly expor ·
1enced men. ·.
. -INDUSTRIAL .LE~ISLATION APPLICABLE TO 'firE CLOTHING INDUSIRY :
. '
Up to. now ·r have spoken only or the worker in connection . '
with her \IO!kp taking _the produc.t1o_n precess e.s the basic
struct.ura into Which the 1nd!v1dual tmrkcr has to tit to the '
bes~ of h~r ab111tyo Now there ret1&.1ra1 to be c.o~ldidered the
fao111 ties ot•fr:Jred to the worker to enable her to adapt herc
e.elf to ·the oondi tiona of work. \'Tith1n hor pnrt1cular 1ndimtryo ) / . . . . . . . For this purpose· a. ·:rra.me.-1 .. 10rk has· beE)n orcated0 which sa:rea-
guards the rie;hts of· r..rana.gement and workers sl1keo I .
{a) Tho ree;ult:~,.tions un.<ler the Faotor:r Act lay dol'm dofin~. te rules :tn- ccnnect1on with· :
( ~) Available spa"e~ lightc vent11o.t1onD s!ttine; .. a'ccom:-nod.atlon0 safety maa:surea 0 cloakrooms, wa.ehim :fe..c111t1es a.11d. ~irat Aid equipmento
' .
. A Factory Inspactor of the Department o.r Lal1oux- \':111 lnsp.f.'ct ·fihe prem1sen at 1~Aeu.lar 1nt.ervals a.nd checl~ up on oxiating' condit1ons 0
demsnd1~ alt9rations \7hor~vcr neooaaa.ryo , Any ~rorker has t.he rJ.g...l:lt to lodge a oompl:aint to
the Factory ~nspoot;or at any time.' -
(b)
(11) Any pr~gnnnt woman in ·employment for a statod · per1od0 who attends a. free clinic and stops -\I_Ol'k one . .tJ:IO!ltll. _before her OOI_lfinamentr anc. e·taye a\iay· for tl'TO further months 1s entitled to a ·Loa.n/Gra.nt of 25/c:o a week for 12 waake o
Under the \~orkman' a ,.~~~:r.£Sat1on 1\et a:ny accld.ant occurrin.~ ~t~ -e of. d.uty on the racto.ry '· premises-ep.t1tlee mrker to oompense.t1ono . In the esse of· r.!iflOI'' ~en·ts 0 \'ihere the worJ.rcr rems.lns at wo:rk0 1 ,:.~ana free mcdi.c.s.l tr!9atment 11 ena OOI!,lpOnsa.ticn foz• lost. \ .. TC•!'kill5 hours.
. ' . (c) Under the lL~~~nlo~ent·Bencfit Act0 the worker· is
entitled to une:np oyment benef'its for ·a atc.tad · ~:1~~ ?~~~ ~~r q~~ rstz:~mc~ed and no other job
· (d) ·Under the .Ind.c.strial Concil1s.t1on Act an egrcement ' waE: made· betuaen the dape ·ciothing "f.ianuf'aoturere Q •
,\3SCCt!lt1on/ ••• • • •
, .. \
f l-
I -
<;·16(.1
A.Saoc1a.t1on and the Gn.rment \lorkers v Union, -the Dlothir(; !nduatry 0s o:'f:tc1a1 Tr~de union::: laying down wasaa, cost or living allowances 0 hO'll'e of 1<?~.l·l:0 dv..r-s.tion of e..rounl lea.vn;.. paid. public holidays~ etc. ·
~ .,
Und.er the ,Industrial Connell Agreement, a Sick Fund
t-ras· esta.b:L1shed 11 which malces provisions for the payment of
doctors and pays out benefits to employees during periods ,
_cf absm~oe 1~ore wor~ owin~ to e1cknesao 'l'he G·overnmen t/ ·:~ployer/EE.ployee !Ule contl~ibutot's to this F'tmd<>
·.Jorlr~rs Ropt:e~ento.t!on : The 'Jarment' Workers Union of the
v~:pa Penir..Si.Jl& ia ·:t'ocietercd as a Trade Union., The Un~on
adheres to t.:C .. a ncl osed shoptt principle, that isp no irtorkerr
i·:::..o 1s r;.o t a.t ti::0 sa.:1e ti.'lie a member ot the · Gan~ent iiorkel~t: '.•
. ' fac·tory wor~a~,;;; elect st.op st;e'\'!S!"dS, '\'!hO represent their
I
!)oint of vi~w .:1t the Union r's ·mea tinge. \
-·--·------ ---\
, I·
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/
PART I.
THE NORKER iilTHIN Tim FACTORY.
CHAPrER II.
'rhe Factory as· a Sacial Orsanisation.
Section A:
2 ..
?.o
COMMUNITY LIFE . IN THE FAC'rORY.
Community sentiment 0 •• 0 ..... 0 • 0 •• 0 • • .
.. ..,,...,._ The Split within the community
_,_.,. .....---. . .-- .. . •••
.. Influence of .the Supervisors o o .o e•o
Types or relationship within -the· factory community ••••••
The problems created by a "female labour force"
'
:1., .. ,_ . ..,!
The Human .. Factor1 in Indus try --...........
·co-operation by organisation
•••
••••
J;age~:
17
18
ao
22
23
24
25
Io Security a. o •• • •• • •. • • •_• • • • • • 26
III.
· IV. Recreation
0 •• 0 0 • •••••••••••. •
ooo•••••.••••o•••• '
27
28
29
V. _ Charity o • o o •• • " • • • • • • • • • •.·• "' 29
So Mutual Aid- the binding ractor •o 30
17
11Ublike the pLttern of' CLD c...ssociation, tlu..t of ::.. community i a uslli.lly unplcnned; determined by the forces which t.re genert.. ted ~rherever pEWJ:lle in [.;.rJy numbers t:.re thro\'m in close relL ti on ship."
lic.Iver n ~oci ety" .
I. pplrimun~ ty G~n:timent n
\
Con:auWlity life in a ft:.ctory ct.n only develop within
the limite enforced upon it by economic c,>naicie,;-t.tions \.
·which ·broucht tlrls pcrticul<.:.r type of people together
- Cominuni ty life in u fuctory is unplumeC:o
;not a pt.rt of the pro~uction plD..Ii ,. which is to 1)roduce
' ' for profit .. The aggregate of people which ~orm this
community is not cLsunl as they have to az..tisfy ·definite
'
(i) ~ey ht:.ve to be' ut '-:.11 :...pJ.-'Ointed pl;ttce
~'Iondu.y to }'ridc...y 8 a..,m" to 5o30 p ~m" I
(ii) 'l!b.ey have to be proficient in definitely··
laid down duties·
(iii) T.hey hcve to do u "fuir duy's work" for ,
definitely l.t.i d down re:nnulert:. i.i on.,
Do these demands l:!U:.de upon proapecti ve eu1/loyeea
attrc..ct :peop·le o:f siroilur educt.tion i..lld skills, siltlil, ;r
. economic needs?
If' this is the eLse, it ·should, by the mere fc..c t
o:f. bei.ng & common-interest group,_ develop o. strong·
co.lllli.iunity spirit
II~s this :::.ctuully hnJ!pened 1 in the pc..rticul;,..r
f~ .. ctory· described in the :vrevious cht..:pter?.
A colill!luni ty develops ;,.;. comun.mity epiri t, u
"coram.uni ty sentiraent" <....S ;rciver culls it.
sentiment of interest.;"
'lb1s st::..tement c..,•1-olies to the c.ommuni ty under
'
. I
/review
'
review as ft:.r us bi.g iasues r·.re .:.t et"l.J::e,- -TLms, :tf the
economic interest of L.ll ~~orkere is thrc<. teneo. by e
reduo~ion in w~ges, by increLaed da-~nda, etc., the
community wil~ unite in ~ e:ffort tl? p:!:otc:ct th~il:' joint
und individucl interestau nut in the dtily, ever.; duy
life of this community, 1 t tdll be ·<iivi<ied into Iijl.:ny
.::lltu SLl.:l.ll ~its, t~hich will be dictLted by·
other luws thLn those of economic self-intereoto
How end why Lre these cliques form~d? .Are they
just p~rt of f~ctory life, or do they ~Lne~rLte into
the lJri vt tel# Lft.er ... '.'lorking-hour li.fe of the ·.Jorlccr?
Hcive~· in his enulyois ol'. cowwni ty eenti.wen·ts st. '(.L~ •
in his clupi. er on "Differences ...... ntt..(Olliotic. to tlw fl(.Uoo
of community:
A type o:f difference which clw~ya tl.JrcLtp::.;i · soli<::.:...ri ty is th:. t which is exi)ressed in r .... cP. consc.iousnetJs <· •• o Another impvrtL.Dt thout_)J. diminishill( ~4t.Il{_:Pr to solid.".ri ty Lriecs i'l'.)lJl 'tb.e contt:ct wi thirt c:. coruw.uni ty o:f dif:f(.r(;.td. ntr:>Il[ly. do~.t1c. relic~ona'o"
• The truth q:f this si..L te.L11ent is very c.vidt.:.nt .in ·i.ht;
corumuni ty under ~reviu·-1 •
...-is throU£h <...llita three '..ror.king sec·t10nr; C:JC!.' the bit., ' . .
<ii vi ding. line of ChristL.n ;_nd ~-iohi::.n'.lwtd:m.~ tlu. t i a in
this c.:. se of Colom.:ed <-nd .. ~~lD.y, -·-
There exists c.. con~tUlt latent unt .. _conisw. bot.Jecn.
those t\lo c;roupa. This is bridge:d over by jJ.tne<-1. )
interests o...t timeaQ but more o:ften intc..r:LX;reo ·.1i th th~
~ooth rwming of the co~unity t:.S L wh5>le.
2. ,The split ~ . .fi thin the cormrruni tYv
'lbis split of lfu.lcy "" Coloured uf'fect.e ull levels
o:f working solidLrityo CertW.u occU:L>t:.tiona ·,;~i thin tht.;
fLctory ...re the preserve of one or the oth~r croup. ~~~~
will be jeLlously guto.rded t:.s euch ..
The vl:;Cti on which ll!L.nuf<..ctures Loy 1 a :..nu. _..:e.!...'~
/
19 .
~u.pcni e ?r:: •
. uu.t i:f one bench eh ju.ld <.;.cq_uire ;...:. t ooma til:!e or
other e>. Ooloured iJet Lecrier,· thc.t is t. r,i:cl \'lh') -i~ in
charce of tl~t bench of 12 or 14 workers. s~c ~ill try
her u'L::!o~t t:: rcpl:::.ce r'he!'" uct w-1 th Coloured cirla
Zhen LC~.in the Tdor.kercr in c.he Lfnd~r·.re~.r ti-Jct.ion i'oel
' themselves -very superior to e:.ll other .::>ectiona in the
!'L.ctory •. .Jhet.her. the.cL.uso for this lieu in the 'ty!Je of
\.Jork being do.ile 11 ~:1hlch rec_uires tL1c: >forkinr; of c. crc[..t
number o:: .2ctent • .achince, or 'the f'LcL that tl'lis ~uotion
is aa:p~r~ted froi:.t the reot· of' the .fe;.ctJry, I do not. know
I only know tilL"t nundurt..recr' will ::...hn.ye det.u...nci.· to be
trot:. tee:. differently to "Clothing" or "Shirts," t..nd will
not mi:x ~·i th the other t'forkcre.
The Lhirt Gcction lu s t...l>out t\.ro •thirus Coloured
workers, <..:nd one-third .. ..L.lay, while the rutio in the
Clothing Uection is t.tic reverse~
Jome oper~tlons in all sections. t..re .....l.wt~ya lllore )
Coveted tllLll others,. thoU[:h the W<..Ce SC.:...le .wicht be the
same 'l;he ret.:.son f'or this is t· . .rofold.
uaut:.lly on soule .tte.terit ~chine .wight deiUL.nd more o.ki.ll,
£..nd therefore CLrry (;Tt't..ter prcsti{.ej W1t... L loo ihis ty,iJC
of uorker ia more in delru. nci, t uc. vill r<.rely h....ve
di:fi.icultiee in findinc new el.ll.~loymcnt, \Jhen she "w<...nts u.
change," or ia forced into one One .of tht.:se operctions .~ ... ~_.,- ...... . ~ . .
in :the _S'hi:::t ;..cction ie th:. .. i ·of a "lloub.l c Close"t' . thLt if>,
WLkint O.ou:Ulc ae:..:.m \then c L . .... i ne :::. shirt sleeve.
~·or :;e:...rs there hca been.[.. silent w1derLrouna bL~t.le coing on to bre.:..k the "Double Cloner l!lvnOIJOly," which the HLl:: .. ys ucc:uire...:. .:...t some st~ re or other.. Thio. mono_poly W'<...s forciblJ broken l'Y the -~-11:-....geuent one d<-y 1.:1hen t-t the fe.: st of :Jid-ul-1'1 tr \-thl ch m.:::.rka the end of Eame.d~.:.n· no H:.~t.y c.r..1ne to ~;Tork, t..nd r.~roC.uction suffered c "botileneck," us no Double Closer W< s t.t •.>~ork •.
·'
I
~hc..ncc at '-· lJachin\3 L:.t ·sorJe t11:10 or- ot::l~:c,. he:.:• w2-g13
will ncve:r· get higner th.J1 c22(J 2" 6,. Q. ~eo:r, 0-:l.J.d it I
\
·.;ill be -very difficult fo:t: h.;)r to f;lmi a job~ once she
be a i:r.:.le:.y • .. mder a Coloured Dupervi so:r '4il1 ru"cly get · '
-that ch<..11ce ;;.-:,. the machine, if there should not be ;
daily life o"): · t11e fCJ.ctory.,
gancr~l, will be h~r.boured for ye&ra/on end by the . '
indivl.dut .. l, ·;.;r a group, und \till be brought up af:.l<:lili
and agci.n o.t. the sm..'11lest. provoc:::..tion.
LookirlC, <.:.t the lis·!;. of workers of ov.r i'<-.ctory · .
arrLngec!. in ;.:.lpmbeti~sl order., the :first thing t~t
·strikes ol!e is the repetition of f:"l.tllily nt:lile.s,.
If t:.. v:..o.ccncy occurs in one- pu:rticult>.r section, ·the
61: t..nybody who' could :fill· tho job. Boon s'i st. oro,
.mothers, d.L.lJ.{_:;hterz. Of orie ·or thp other Of .thOo WOrker~
' "t-till turn u~; at the door, Lnd i£ their qu ..... lificLtions ~.~.re
sa.tisf'~ctory, they will l>e g~.ven preference· to "strc:..n{.,ersP
It is not unusu.:.,l tq find !ou.r •sewr~e.rs• ~J.>sent one
morning~ cs the 'Sf;:.me f:.:.r.aily dis::.ste.r, or fcstivi ty has \
bef.::.llen them all J
I
. who h£.s been told by the Depc.rtment;;.:.l l·!an.J.ger wl:'mt ia
..
I I
neededo But in r~ality the Supervisor of thut
particulo..r ~ection will li~ve seen to it th<:...t on,the
particular d~y, when a vacuncy 1s to pe filled, the
Mright" appl.iqc.nt is ~!.t the door,, · It will <:~lao rest'
with the SUpervisor to suggest to the· iien..,ger trc..nsfers ,
of workers from one oper~tion to ctiotherg or. possible
promotions.;
~a system gives the SUpervisor a com~crutively
·The , 1 gl"ea:t dsc:l of power wlthin the factory community.
worker£~' realiee this v..nd have their methods, well
ada.pted to the personality of 'a yarti. cular .&'Upervi a or to
' keep them "~1eet•, us it is cc.lled~ To the \\I'Orker
herself, her Set• ,leo,der or &'Uperviaor . is much more
important 0 than the Yapo.gero ,. It rests with the Supervisor to mP...ke the daily life
"
...
of the worker pleasant or unbeara'Qle, to allow s. cc.."rtain
amount of personal-freedom.; or stick to the letter e>f the
rule so
A quick cigarette smoked in the clot:.kroom, \.J'hen
there is no official nbreak", a seam done on the l!lachine I .
·.:for ~ gG.rment of one 'a own, when one is t.llet..d \d th one 'ie
\fork, a visit to 'the 1~edical Room, if one does not ;feel
well. To all these little things the supervisor can
cl..ose en eyeo These littl-e things will m:::..ke all the
difference to the. individual o:f having hc.d c rii~e <icy <....t
wark, or fuivirlb groaned under' the burden of ~ heavy·dayo
.Obviously a a ayste.t:l like this might et..sily, be open .
. i 'to abuse, c.cnd 1 t rests completely with the person~li ty
and integrity o! the SUpervisor what ~he demands ot her ...1 •
, I
~ '
wor~or~ in exchange :for the l:it-tle liberties she permits ...
T.he maJority of the SUpervisore huve'c great sense
of responoibility tow~rds their'work snd·worker.s, but
also a strong :reeling ~or •importance~ of their pos~tiono
' '
,. 22 '.
time is a _polite. q_uick und obligill{; perB.:m, will go a. . . I I . '
long ·o;~ay t~'.;ura.s being all.'>llee. P.~ivilegcsv
t1J.ei1· pozi ti .)!l ~rid fe:.vour their workers o.cc;)rdint;: to -the
":fuvourDt! they receive in :form of little presents- f"rom
them.
. . . non ·:s.:uroper.:...Il t;rou:p, but goes ricl.tt t~~U£h the f:.:..ctoryv
pen;:rtr::._ ting all levelfi :J:f &uthori ty . "I:f you do me a
±~c..vour, l will do you one . ) ,. I vill l<ly up the
.ruateri<--...1 1:1 such t:Ji ·econ;omic wa::~~ tl'l:;..t somt: re.wnr:.nts ere
left over, vhich will be cu~ into a ga~ent. I:t you \
will do the sewint:; we c.:.:n, eo.ch .have or.e for our .Y..ids • . " ' .
..:\.long these lines._; in. :runny ws:ys-; the old··f'aa:!::doned.
barte:r~aystem is 'being practiced only th::..t s1dlls, t.nd not
t._:<>od$ ure beinc b<..rtered,, '
Uob.,dy is the poorer for it, as the o::..·cwlis;...ti::m is
too big t...l.lG. iJJ'l'person:..:l ·Lq notice the difie:t·ence~ but .:..:.
i:£'\'1 ind.ividuc.ls lu:.ve pov!ed their resources und pro:fi ted.
by the res'!.4ltt, but they hcve not only prof'i ted in tho
O{:onomic t:enoe.,
~ese lltmtG.tl touches 11i thin c.n inh.um.:...:nto. i:t:a1Jeraoni...l
structure, lw.i t the cor.:Mu.v.d ty ci.oser together • t;:f ve a
:feelinr.; of ""'o€donging".; of "beinG a.n a · eyted p:..:.:c-t of ~ · '
whole.,
th!J.t "'?2..\ .. ours" hr...ve become .a =::righ.f; 10 :J \,.,':hich i.!ould be :fiercel;;.r defended,, if eve:::' che::;lle:nged
. •o ~s ... ?!. Jt~lp.tj..~n'!JP.tP \dthip_.t~:t~9..t?.~ .. c.Q:~~
When t..nUl.ysing the social li:f'e in the i·i.:.ctory it
has to be divided into three partsz
II
\ '
\
~.:..; :C.ile ~<J~l ... l c.,}n·;,~c· .. ~ .'.i.hlch ...... :..: ~<;pt u;p while wot·ldng, th.: .. t is 'Jhile st tting <. t t.lle ;.;l;.;.chi:ae, '-:1,; cl..:o.uinc .... to~, ~to. Tll€ 1e h:. .ve to be limited to the ~;1,1031 cL.ll:J.. ne ... rc::.:.. "... J:t.eighbour;,;. they find further c~els of c~unic~ti~n t.:U·o\lt,:ll. 't21.oQ<.; ·Jo.t:kt;~U wL.: :u.:..v~ to W'G.ll l~bout in the cvurse ~f thei:r u.ut.it:Bo :"ll~Uu ;..:.:~ ~u.p..::cviL>vr~, .c;.ec .• .J .... h;.~u, aweeperi3, jr · c,?;ener"-la, ·• tll.....t is, ycil.lll{: .:;i:.;.•l.: W!J.;) ~-:ll...:.LJ.C\J iJ->~U~u.J, ~~i.·;t buncile.o ~:f '.iork! etc
(i ·l";JThe s:Jah.l. life ciurlnc brc~r;, tk.t io
(:~..:..I.)
. .aoJ.·nLlt.. ~uu. L..:ft~rno.;.u f"..Jr tt!U ill..l.m.d~cu, : .nc::. t t. lunoh time fqr one hour., liort~ :;:·::..4i..:u~fl c;.;.u get. toc;utll ... .t ~\.:. "'""" t..u.lag£ t;.OC.)r~j.llf.:: to their ~Wll tu;tc...s, Lt. rt..r
:.J ~ ~:1-.::: llui. t ~~ t!.we o;..].l:, .1~
··· :l ••• -t .... c~ or· .. lii··,., ~ ~~·.· ·:i 4 ~·· ~~~........ r,.,.• w J .J. to- s... J """"I "'........_~ . ~ .. -
f ... ct·Jry li1'e must b~ c . .,n~il...(;l'~o . ..i. ::.1., C.:> ;;;.' • .1.: ~c 1 t Aieht a:.:f:.;;c i. :~::ri ul .... ~."l~;;;.. vrithiu tL.e f~ct.Jry. It lll1t:ht t.J.t5J be ~r iuL~~~~t to ~~llJJ u~w~~t~a~ i'rierJ.C:.shii"ii dc·.r~l:>yt::ci. in thtJ f, ct('rJ ~ !~:.:; :;,4.-..rl~i~·~ ;Jr;~r int~ tlJ.e h·~_!.c.
::.:>oL l life LllC •.torkill€ 11±~· inaiue _r:( <v.L~duc LIJtJ
A --o 'Ju '- .... / L t ,lor£.
will w.. .~e;: ~· )Ubl\,.:z t<.t home e::..sier ~o beur• JJLi.'i"icu1 tit. a
worker ww uill be irri t~ble J ~irt:u.J cis t.r ctt;<t ; ... .nu her work will ~ui'fcr ~h.Juld ·she not 1'1L.d t:.. symv:"-t...'letic
c~ r or be r 'Lle t:> tuxn for 1 .rt.ct..icc..l t.dvice to e.:>lve _her
dile~, & vici JUs circle wiJ.l hL te a"Lw-te<l, which is ...
difficult to LroLk. It l£ir:llt w:t thin c.;. f.Jljrt ti.t..e ch ..nee
a cood \'lorl:er iuto Ul une~·.ti:J:fcci..:>r::r OlH·, '.::ho ~r~ill be in
ciUlt;er of lo£inc ller jou·,
"':1·• p·· :..•oblellJ:'J o·.a.4 l.!._ tea ·o;r n f'.u·•·~l.:; l: .u.nH :l.; '"U""• "!;... \,...j - p ·!.. """'"' ~ - ...... ,---......--=..-..~
. ...:''.rl.;C:icy, is one oi: thma, wbich not :>nl::r ind:l.:;;_v:>ses
.... vo:u~ plL,Yaic.:.l:..y wi.th monthly rccul~ri ty, but it
' ' ·'?
CHAPTER II Section A Graphic Summary (a)
. AIMS AND OBJECT OF MANAGEMENT AND
WORKER AS A WORKING COMMUNITY
a comP-romise
Object of manag(tment:
<fR¢Fif- MAKING J
Object of worker:
<t LivELIHOOD) means: means:
I I maximum max1mum wages production at minimum effort at with reasonable minimum
~ ~~ security and ~ood !cost '1 ~ . working conditions
INDUSTRIAL j rl LEGISLATION
as balance of power between the different demands of
management and labour
E!-~ facilities beyond legislative demands as management realises that labour is more productive it the human needs of the individual worker, and workers as a group, ore token into consideration.
'
changea hbr reactions, it affects her ~otionul lire.
Even the fiercest femdniet, today, will, I nopee ~ve
developed fr...r eno:ugh along the road of e!u...llci.Pt..tion,
that she need not pretend ~ more th~t w~en ere equul
to men, in the sense· of being the ean:c r ,. ~'h~y might be
equuls, in the sense thLt different qualities specific to
me~ und women are equcl in thelr value nut the stress
on whl:.t is import""nt in one ·s life ia plb.ced differently
with wol:Qen to thr... ~ of men
The average wo' le irre\'"oc.ably bouuo. to her
emotional life Lnd its saticfr...ction, wnich lice wi~4.n
the bowndo.ries of her home.. ·The more "!ntc~lect\U:...l 8 J
civilised, a womun beoo~s, the ~ore blurrcfi the issue,
nut in the community under revieol7 there c: ..... n 'l;)tj no doubt ...
tlu..t the· women who represent, 9(10tb r i tL lu.lJ.>ur · ·fo:,..ce,
do not look· u.~..Jon their job as their voct..ti on. but o.o L..
means to impl.':mtent the f'~ly incolL18 nut tho mo· ;}n t a
close ~ember of the i;t.mily :ft:.lls ill, eco' -.. aic
considJru.tlons w.1.:'1 be 'forgotten· t..nd dolllt c \.lutieo 8 v.W.cl:.
!ill an emotional 'lleed, will ~ ...ke thttir ;pl""ceo
Production planning, when det~line w-1 th r..:. fellU.....lt:
labour f'orce 1 has to t'-.ke into contJicierd. \on, tl: .. t..ge·•ol-:-'.
cycle in a woliu::.n II s life ,, courtship · · ·.war:v:ic....co chlldbi1th
During courtship the most efficie~t woman worker will
al.a.cken in her work · • marriace-Will met..n i. cvuplo of O.Lys
or weolcs of lel:ve - childbirth will keep her c.wt-y from
work :for t.t let.st three months ..
an increaoed rate in absenteei8Iu, c:s dOluuotj . .J l1l"o1i:.ems
will have became of greater !mportun~e tPLn the ~Eek~
wt..ge envelopeo
The humun f~otor penetrctes
/ "' C i ~Tl• .' ~ '·i r• ..L •. 1'' ._ - .•. .-.. "• ... a...,·'-· "'
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I I !
Graphic Summary (b)
THE HUMAN FACTOR IN INDUSTRY
the interrelation of worker and work
accicknts-Obsenteeism- sickness I
physical -fatigue- mental I ~ .
efficiency I
output
happiness health degree of integration into workin9 and social communi
scient.~.ficn.lly \;rorkcd out production pl.::nso llt-1 ti onal
man for. Jn.:t.."ly decades tl':i ed to ignora it al1d triad to put
Mailt lfucliine, 1-.Lcterial into the saDie straightJacket cut
accorCing to a pattem of economic principles only.;
~e position of the J?er::5onnel Officer. t.he Wel:f'a:re
.·Officer, tt."as created as the missing li~v to adjust hu.m.at:l
needs to the ilanage.mcnt 'Js del:!l.b.nds., F...is. te..t;k t·rz.s to :find
outl~ts for these human needs in such a wayj that trLey
would lea at disturb the ?Innagement o a plannilg o
'!bat is vhere •organised oo:mmunity lif'e" enters the
Elton Hayo in "1he .Sooial J?roble:ws of an I:nd'll41tr:lal
Civilis~tion" states: /
• ., "· o ntere orun'lot be co· •oper;;:..ticn wi tliout Ol.'ganiaation~~ Any industriti orge:..nisation is at once a way o~ working t, which mu.st be .technically ex:p~rt and effective -·and also a way of living for rr.u::my peopl~ ~ o o One Should creut~ a frzm~~ork under which tlie perennia~ social instinct of .men can develop._. •·
According to El.ton Hayocs findings the best way o:f
balancing human needs with industrial denu~ds ie1
lr. T.:) ·create CO' ·Q:peration by· organisntionn
2. To aatiafy th$ ·need ~or emotional rele~aev
3,, 1'o recogniue t}'l..e im_portrmce of' the worldug groupo
r In an industrial concern 1 t would be the task of the
Personnel Officer to put theee "c:...:.tegorical imyere.ti.vee"
· int., pra.cticeo
-, Irow could this be achieved in an industrial '
eom.muni ty like the one unde-r review? .And what would
be the result of such efforts?
/'i:o
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1--
I I
I
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.. , 20 "
To cre~.te co,opera·tion by orgunisn.tion common . .
objectives ha.ve tc be found which cut ~~ccro::a.'i 'die.
dif~erences cap.sed by relig+ous, cultural: ,educational
and sociLl fuctorso
Co.mlllOrt objectj.ves cun be summed Ull under the fiv~
heaC.i nr; s:
I,) Securi ·"y und mutual aid('
IIo · Healthn / I
~ III,, Educatio~l,
IVo I Recreatit..
v. Clllari ty ')
·1o §!E.~•
(.4.) · That securl ty wl;dch 1 a aehi eveti · by
indu~tri&l legisla~ion 1 and. the exif:tence of a 'Ii',.td~ ,
Union~,
1he prot~ction o! the \-to~ker by .Industrial
Legisle.t1.on and Trude Unton is teken for ·gr<...nted wd ha£
not been erected by a special effort of this pct~ticular
:facto:ey colml:Ulli tyo .It only plays a role in fc.ctory life
when gr;.eva.'tlces· are felt in connection with wc.ge derJL:l1o.l;l 9
dismiseal, or.di!ficu~t,world.ng e~nditionae
Particular to this :fnctory eomtni ty actuu.lly. is a - .
grievance of long standing a.g<linst their Union, which ia 1
the reeul t of some ·di eagreement bet\~Yeen Union me.tubers in . _,
the factory \vi th moro.e of the Union"'e Officio.la r.m.ny ye£-rs
Some of .these member$ were e:cuelled from the um·on!OI . -but remained . u t · w·ork in our factory, in· spite of the
I .
"Closed Shop • prineipleo . Host of the worker a ;\.n the
tectory either stand behind tnose expelled memberov though
they themoelves belong to the Union, or they ~ve not
euf'ficie:ut interest to take part in Union activities,
Ae a result there are never sufficient candidates
'.
' I ! .
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available to be e~ect~d as Jnop ~tewurda~ Accorc.ing to
the size o:f the fucto~·y ·thexc
:.:-ep~·e~on·cing the factory, but
Very rarely .do individual ~orker~ bring any compl~lnts
to the O'niono
(B) Security by common effort ... specific to the
commUnity under reviewo
' (i.) · The -~~r.,p _!'Hutufll A4d gtd Dcr,w.fj. t £)me!o"
The workers f:j_rr its sole contributors0 '1loney is
· deduc=t~d we~kly .from eL-Cl:i. ~·orkeres wage, the al.Uount to be
de~ucted h~ving b£en deci~ed at a general meetingQ
\ .
·~e funds are usect to:
(a) supply dental ~nd oculist9s requir.em~ntSJ
' . (b} ta s.l~eviate dictreec ir.t a !w::.illy, caused ·b.i~
prolonged illness ot a worker, or a member of his/n6r family, or 'by amploymeni;l
. (c) ··-·\
to advance lo£.r.s to\{~~r~erlih
In an a .. nnual gen~ral election si:r'ten workers o..re
elected to th~ conmdttee.by meJority voteo ,.
(11) ll2,~i;Ste.;y:." ~~-~c;_: n:te wne-e clerks col.lect \
weekly contributions to this f'undo The ·1:mounts paid in
vary, and only. about thirty per cent of the workers tt-17-1~
themselv-es of this o:pportuni ty. to save money.for thr; a.nnual
holidayo All monies are paid out at the end ot the yea 0
when the f2ct.ory clo~es down ·for its three weeks a.r:mua..l
holidf~y.
II" Health: ---- ... (a) ~~ee medical supplies ~re ut the dispos~~
oi' the workers(') Some &re distributed in
/First
...
III.
.,
.First Aid 13oJ::es throughout the f'uctory, -
others a:r:e. availu.ble in the surgeryo
\Yorkers trailled us V<>AoDI}s are appointed
in rotction to a.,t~tencJ. to minor ailments
or inJuries.
(b) All wo1·kers .:.nd members o:f the staff are
Xooora.yed annually, advantage is tuken of
the 1:!a.as P..adiology Service offered free
by the I~unicipal Authorities<>
. ' -
(a) Fi~ .Shows are given peribdically during lunch
hour 0 . 2lle fil.me usually are sho.rts deali1lg .\V'i th mutters "
of healtho Walt Disney Certoons,dealing wi~ particular
disecJ.sea 8 questions of .hygiene, etc o 0 are very popularo
Occasionally 0 travel :films t:....re shown l'•
at a time o.tten~, these sl:tOWSo
About 150 workers
(b) Talks on questions of health,
hygieile 9 on hire purchasEt, social l.egislntion, or any
e:pecific problems brought up by r:ny of the workers are
given to small _gron.p&o ~eae talks are usually organised ' .
~n courses of four to six lectures held once a week'! one
subJect mattero
given annuall'o '
A:t>proxiuately four such Courses .are
(c) PQJ!rf:le~ giv~-PY the Red Cr2,§.t: Approximately
twice a yee..r a 16X"OUp of t•./elve to sixteen workers at tend
clu.sse_s given !)n the faot<-!ry premf.. ses by a .member of . the ""'
Red Cl:'OSSo Each Course lasts over nine weeks and exams
! · have to be passedo
~ Workers who have attended these Classes bLve formed
a Factory Detcch• to 7!he Detachment has t·o atteqd
· Paradea0 hold functions and help in Hospit&ls .and at
. IVo
,, 29""
(dJ I.! tera.ture: .Pwnphlets and poste.rs are
distributed in clo<:..kroom.s und wo.rkahop dealing w1 th
matters of heelth0 bYgiene and accident prevention~ -
A notice bourd in a ;prominent position is being used
aa. "wall newspaper•" Cuttings relevant. to some f~~~ :tn which the workers mieht be .interested are p!l.t up,
notifi~c.tions of m~etings, social functions, etc.,. are
put on the board.
(e)_ Committees: '{_....._ ~ Different commdttees ~ve been
appointed by the wo!kers to deal With matters
concer_ning welt'nre or work, such as "Kitchen Coll1lll1t:tee,•
"SUpervisors Comnittee," *Childrenea·.Fund" etc ..
committees are ueually held· in .the for.m.of tea parties
(durill£ lunc!l: ·hour) under the Chair..:w.nsh:t p of the
Personnel Gfficero
Recreation: {.... - .......
A numbel. .. of' functions enwn.erated unde::.~ other hea.dillbs
already, such ars film shows might al.so come under tllie
readingo
(e.) During the winter months only are held:
{1)
(ii)
Physical Culture Classes once a week (approximately 40 participate) •. . . Netball teams play twi'ce weeklY:~ end have occasional ma tehes \d. th other factorie~ on Saturday afternoons~ .
Pingc>Pong- i~ played all the year roundo ' .
(iii)
(b) Occasional dances are held on Saturday eveningo
in aid ot some charitab+e organiaatioJh
i . v {) &h_a...r,.!tt: (a l ,qlH.:J..$!:tz.~ll!.! _ ~~t~l!-~...4: 'lhi a fund· was \
1 I started by a fLctory manager ~y yearscagoo ~ough
/thia
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' so,,
thi EJ particular mr.nager lle.s left, the. fund. goes on,_,
Workers contribute ·3dc. per ~eek over the \\l'holl yea:r~
OUt. of this money material is boueJlt, and a tem.u o:r
20 women BE:. •i:x ;months daily through their lunch•.., hour I '
to complete t.ffJ'd~t 200 garments for · bors 1alld · girle up to
the age o:f l2o
• On Dinga.an °s Da:y every yet.:.r. a Christmas party ia
given in a churc}f l:..U.J. t·o 200 Coloured childreno ~..,
children ere the poorest of different schools sele@ted
'by their principaisv
1~1-ch child; ie given a carm.ent 0 $Weetsu :fruit 0 ice
cream and cold drinks, while they e.re enterte:-..:I.ned by
"faetory tnlent" on the G'te.ge and by comrr.ami ty singing a
(b) ai!9ile .2.L!d!.2.. .. ~ok_.fi!,aociat~on (Ca.E£.J?.O~§.~·): Tnis association is patterned on the same principle
e.G Fo0.SoAo 11 Durban~ which oima at spreading knowledge \.
about the incidence E:nd pr,evention .:- tuberculosis umong
the. poc:re:v sections of a coDlnlUlli ty, and a:t tb.e same time ·
- 'give~ finan.cial assistance to T-~Bv sufferer~ and their
:fandlieso 'iii th the help of ?au.l B'Jkes 0 the Founder of
"' this ·!~ovementg the m:-iter with a grou;p of helpers started
its first Ca,re Committee in the factory under review. The
organi.sation is huilt on the, prino!ple ·Of ~elf'-he~po
T.he e~:forts described above then represent the sum
total of trying ·ta crsate co-operation by ~rg~~isatione
Bq . ~utu.al A}.de,_ The biqdipg_;t)J.CtQ.;ra .
\Vha,t are the results of these efforts? Hus it
created a •framework under which the perennial social
r instinct of men can develop?• Rae a basis been found
where .religious and social differences arfj forgotten in . tho at:riving to-w·ards a ooromon clm?
\ , ....
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I
!•Iost successful in ironing out differences arc
all recrec.tional activities, c..nd those which do nat • >
benefit the individual directlya .·th:.:.t i:;~, eht:.ritable
efforts on the partof the workoro The moment self',,
interest iB involved, each religious-group accuses the
oth.:.<;r of trying to gain power, to practice .Pavouri tis.m. ..
and not unjustly1soe
l3ut in all activities it is the Coloured section
which participates most energetically, while the llulay
girls are more the-interested onlookers, such as in
netball, ping.-pong, physical cultureo an committees
- 1\-Ialay men will be elected, together wi t!l Col.oured womenj,)
but there is not one Halay woman on rury o:f the committees.
~e only exceptions are efforts at mutual aido
lla~ay and Coloureo ,·~ke .contribute towards the ohildrenns
Christmas fund, I'1!!.lay women and Coloured alike sacrifice
znany of their lunohaohours to sew garments for poor children.
·1w.lay and Coloured, men £nd women will prepare the •treut",
end entertain their young gueetso' Ualay and Coloured
children alike are invited to the party and given presents.
~s is rether C",dr i:rhen one considers the religious
bac.kground and meaning 1 :ilri~tmae ;bas, that t.'lie eo very · ~ ·'- . \
I .
Christian feast is the:eomnoa- meettng.gr.O'tind for goodwill
Shawn by Christians and Mohammedans ulikeo
!,i,O,.SoA& Id:ost success~ul of all organised ~f'forts / '
towards eu•operation and mutual und<::~rstt.ndiug and respect
proved to bo the work of the ·•Friends," ot FoO.S.A.
1be QnOUe.J. X-rayS 1 the showing Of films dealing With ~
tuberoulosis 9 the finding of ToDo within the factory
community lllid ID.ade the workers "ToDo consciouso" once I
' the impetus was given by shmdn_g that ignoronce and misery
could be foug:tlt by common e:ffor'tll the reaponse was
~-
\
r.(i
r
astound·ng.
Every single member in the factor,Y voted for
regular contributions ta~arda FoOtSoA• 1Ialay and Coloured . .
. alike attended lectures and took \JVe:r; families irt whose
hame thdy became a Friendo
· ~e :principle on which Fo.OoSoAc 1~ built is not to
give money iudiscrJ.minately, but to supply whatever goods
or services ~ght be ·needed, In weekly meetings the
Friends discussed the needs of the families under their '
care, 'and ~ointly · 1 t waa decided in whe.t ways help ehould •
be given<;>
wbere there was a sick woman in the house; the. Friend
would do the iihopp.ing f'or the £a:mily., I:f it liaS found
that clothing was needed, an appeal ;.vas put· o~ the
blackboard in the factoryo
to such appealso Repairiyg of clothing was done_ by the
Friend before she brought them to •her" f~lyo'
~ough the Malay Friends looked· after Malay families, ' '
and the Colou.red, after Coloured, there was never a -
question of favouring one section more t~1 the other~
Unself'ishness~ doing a good deed :£or its Olitl sake witlfout · . .
personal reward~ proved t.o b6 the one c\lmmon deno.mi1iator,
where class or caste differences '\rl.ere completely forgotten.
Soci~1. sto.nd~§t l{ot· so on other comnn ttees where
personal g:.: ... in could be derivedo .;
1'he most dif'ficult fund to administer p1·oved to be I,
the Sick and Benefit FUndo ~oUgh ~he co~ttee is ' elected by majority vo,te, the liL'J.nner in which ~ht..t majori 1.y
is arrived .at ia not above reproacho To be on that
.committee does not on~y mean-kudos, but also means poweru
To get on to the committee potential members will do a
spot of el~ctioneering, presf:ure ~oups are formed,
intrigues spun, so that when it comes to the actual election
/the
,. the ground has been prep~red~ \ ' \ Vorkers who vant finarioial asEist~_nce xro~ the.tund
have to put their· case to the Secretary, t1ho in · ·t;urn ~
· submit it to the comd.ttee•
Of the ~orker are then dinCUGl:lCd in the moSt minute '
detuil~
It is astoni&"11bg how much ia knOw about each work.e·:r,
but alwc.ys only by t.ha.t m.e~ber on .the cor.ami tt~c, ilh·~
belongs to the Depur.tment in which the .applic:~nt \l.'o:rk.s. I ,
AS a result much fav)uritia~ slipa ino If the a;pplicc:.nt . . . happens not to be·liked by the eo~ttee member represehting
her Department1 .her case·will be interpreted in an
unfavourable li~t o
. Hather' astonishing to m.e irla.s hO\t the social position
of' the applicant is often a deciding 1uctqr·in th(; amount
and nature of help given., ~era wae one ca~e, tor. )
in£:tance, of a '\IToms.n W"orke:r~ one bGJlonging ·to the •upper• . .
c ::aeu, "~.Nho was sick, for several weekso Stle ~employs a .,_, .
servanto
aervailto
Sbe applied. fol:' help to be able to keep on her
The co~ttee members vie~ed thht a raa~~nable
servant would mean e lowering o:r her status$ which could
She was gro.nted a
fairly highs~ or·money, while another worker who
belonged to the lowest etatus group' got a verJ much
ama.ller gr:::.nt, though she was rea~ly in distreaso
Caset~ are su:ppO$Cd to be dineussed "in ca.zneraft and
treated as 'strictly confidential, but I have not kriown of
one caso yet, which remained n secret ·to the rest o:r the ~, '
communi tyo :;Jot only that, but 1 t is· always kno~ oxc:..ctly
by everybody. how every .member or the com:td ttee has voted '
~e does not nece~sarily mez:~ thut the members on the
\.
I ' I
I
committee are ndeusing the trust put in th~o b:ore )
likely the beneficinr,y herse~f will spread her e.ase, or
by ~tt[:cking a collmlittee member t'ind out in a roundt..bout
wa:y, \lfhL..t had happened at meetings. ,
Then, e~so, the fact t~t so ~ factory workers ~rc
related to aach other, plays a big ~art in this system-of
telegraphy, t-rhere · there .are no .kno\ro lines o:f
communication, anJ the smallest item of ne~s is known ·'
immediately to all concerned or unconcerneda.
One 1~ often t.empt~d to think, when again and ~gc:.in .
items o:£ news, even on highest malla8erial level leaks out,
that there 'is. if not a col!lnunity. spirit,/but soue such I
ghostly quulity0 as a •communal spir~t9 ° which prevades
all and everytbingo
Health: . !IIatters dealing \vi th health are the next ~~.;ll!l
biggest factor to unite in the factor. The surgery,
/with its clean•aheeted bed, always ready to receive a tired
body, the medical cupboard filled ~ith patent medicines,
plaster, bandages, etc., has grea~ powers of attrc:.ctiono
A white pill• an evil tasting concoction,, a neat
plaster or bandage can not only.heal the·pc:.in, but give
occasio;t to'a little chat, a relaxation from monotonous .
routine, and in that way supply a l4enta1 stimulus aa. well
as a physical reliefo But is has also been Q.efin~tely
proved after careful analysing of the medical roo~'s daily
log• book, that 11 ttle ;;remedies have often helped to avoid
serious disabilities •
... Three years ego, when there was no· surgery, and only ~ . / -
first ~id equipment was kept in First Aid .Boxes a.l.l over -
the factory, the incidence of pin-pr!cks, scr&tches G..nd
outs· turning septic was very higha So::-e thro~t-s
developed into tonoilitia, a.n upset digestion into
gastritiso ..
/'lhe
..
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The reaistcnce of the c.·.verl:~.ge \varke1· i,s so low,
often the home conditions eo difficult, t:ru:..t if n s~ll
imbalcnce is not taken care of immediately, it develops
into serious· trouble.· . .
Until' the surgery \fu.s properly organised, u.nd :factory
workers trained' in J.i'i~st Aiu and. Home nursing, the .uri ter
,. gaining the confidence and tru.;:,t o'!' the ~,;orkar~t ;:;..nu. .~a
been the .foundation o:t· all later t{ork,.,
Once an .aspirin bG~s relieved a headache one hac
que.lified to solv·e all other human problems, 'and advice
is sought ~n relieving the pa.!n o:L a mother who is
sv.f'fering from Qe..ncer l • to dealing with a huobc:.nd \'lho comes
home drunl! every night o
Dut as the writer's aim'was, from the very beginning,
not to 11lake herself' india};.rensable, but the community
self.-1:rtl))porting, she grG.du..1.lly handed over the Cl.l,lties of
adnrl.nistGring to the ~ick to thoee worl:ferB who had :received
training under the guidance of the ned. Cross~ nnd had proveci. -· themselves capable to· hand:S responsibilityo
I .
out of the mass of 300 workers, 30 loot their
anonym.i ty an<l developed capabilities \ihich had not had
su:f:f'iciel'lt outlet. in routine wol .. k•.) 'J!hey·had fov.nd a
. channel through ''<fhicli they could develop their J)ersonali tyo
At the, same time by helping their own people \vi thin the ' "
I
community, t~ey j "fa· able to knit the community closer
togetherc
Out of these surger,y ~ctivities dsveloped the. very
active ~ed Cross Iet~chment, the first ·Factory Detachment ' in the Cape att,?.lllpted 'by ·the Red Crosso Here ag~n, as
with the Sick Fund and FoO,,S.Ao.· an activity which had its
/roots
'
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., .36 ('J
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roots \fi thin the factory community, filling r: J.;.eed, h. s
spread beyond the boundaries ot' thut ~articulL.r community ..
Hember& oi the JJetr~cbm.ent, in their spct.re time, help
in. Hospitals, act c.s V<:>A~Dus u.t g<:therings; L.Ild educ<-te
their own f<llllilies- tow::.~rds a better understanding of the
need :for hygiene, the tr8&.tment af ailments a ~ey have
become an usset to the Coloured community as u. whole ...
How strongly this is felt, one realises \vhen c;>ne visits '
their homes-, and finds certificates ot." proficiency frwned
on 'W'alls in prominent positioneo
·. _ ECJ.eponsil'>ilitz: Commi ttce "'~.tk is greatly loved by
the more active members of :the f~ctory communityo To be
on a co~ttee, to attend a meeting and discuss in grcutest
detail the most minute problema ~ith· a. £r .,".,_,t deL..l of'
eloquence seem to give a great s~tisfaction to the
individualo It also add.e prest~ge to the stcnding of the
indi vidu1-tl w! thin the . community o
' ~s c.tti tude of putting great importance on small
matters,_ and of i'ee~ing im;portant when sbaring small I
responsibilities i$ very understanQ.able, w.hen on~ re£ .. lises
h<?W very naTrow the margin of authority a WOl'ker O&"'l gain
within '"·· ~o11llilunity of that description. -
~e whole horizon is·narr~. the perspective at which
mat·t.ers are viewed he.s to be in a ratio :fi:tting into1 th~t
I
orbit. ine results seem sometimet;)ludicrous to the
. " outsider, but definitely ucreate a frame-work under which ;
the :perennial social instinct of' men can /developo • · \
I have st·a.ted that it is the Coloured Section' which
participates most actively in all social activities whi~h
have developed t"i thin the :factory community a
T.his can only be understood ~f one realises the
different class ·l;ltructure on which the· .i.i.c.lay tJ'ld Cod.oured
/groups
.• , 37 '-"
'IherefoJ:·e it ,.,ill be necesrH::.I·y to td:e cn.oh group
separately. ~md: \
(a)· observe the social· system yrevai.ling
in each group; ' (b) find the basis on ~hich these social ayatems
are built..o
~ese findinGS should exylain th~ attitude of each '
- group to<;tt,_rds the other o It should :::.lso exp.lain t.he >
pntte:rn into t.ddch the sooiC~~ life 'l.d thin the fecto:ry • I
community has shaped~
I.
r
CHAPTER IT Section A Distance from Work
WORKING PLACE: SALT RIVER
area no. of distance transport workers from factory per person
Salt River 18 under I mile per month
ii Woodstock 10 I+ 101.7 Observatory 2 I+ 1077 Mowbray 2 I+ 10 7
iii Ronde bosch 2 3+ 10/7 Maitland 5 3- 10/7 Kensington 3 3- 14/3
. lv Capetown 72 4+- 10/7 Walmer E'tate 2 4 lOt Claremont 8 4+ 16 2 Good wood 3 4+ 14/9
v New lands 7 5 14/-Kenilworth I 5+ 22/6
vi Plumstead 3 6+ 22/6 Athlone 25 6+ 18/2 Vasco 2 6+ 15/8
vii Wynberg 27 7+ 22/6 Crawford 3 7+ 18/1 Elsiesrivier 4 7+ 20/9
i-vli 199 lto7 0/7 to 22/6
viii Landsdowne 10 B+ 23/3 Belville I 8+ 20/-Wetton 3 8+ . 21/-
ix Southfield 2 9 22/4 Dieprivier 2 9+ 26/2
)( Retreat 3 10+ 22/8
220
DISTANCE FROM WORK
. . :@RETREAT
· · THE '.\ ORKER ·;;!THIN rHE · F rtCTORY" .. CHd.PTER II - ·rhe Factort as a Soc.ial Organisat1$!
• Section B: The Coloured Groupo
Pages
lo The Upper Class ... Leaders within the. community o o ••• o o •••• .., o • o • o.o
(a} An analysis of their ·background
The ~iddle Cla~s • • • •·• • e • • • • • o !_o o o • o ~ o • • • o o o o o 40
(a) Position and attitudeo_·
42 .,.
(a) t\.nalysis. of its two sectionR
(b) Position and.attitudeso
4o Soc'inl Class and attitude to sex 0 0 • 0 • • • • • 0 • • 0 44.
..
. of
the
y is
d I I I I
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- 39
Can ~ny common denominator ba found for these 16 . .
w-omen, which might throw light on the f::.:.ct~ thc:.t they, LI.d
no others, out ·of 220 women eru_ployed in ·the fc...ctory a:.. e
holding poaitiana of authority?
(a) ,
It was found tr:P..t all 16 tromen carae :from 11good"
homes. fuat !c, their .fc..Jrdlies live ln: an IJ .. tm.osphere o:f
econond~ aecurity whic~ enabled them to keep up a fairly
high standL~rd of llvingo
the frrmdlies were ·of good standing within their locul
c or.amuni ty ~
Twelve out ot.· the 16 women were of tha ages ,2~ o 25,
,and only four between the ages 45 " 50o
The older women lu.;.d been with the .firm l2 ye ars t-nd
. longer, while the yollllger ones had been five yevr- ··· I
longer •
All_had good educational qualifications, ranging from
Sta:r;tdard V to teac~ers quc.lif_ications; whi~Jh were held by
two of the wamen concernedo
All are vexy keen to "educ&te themselv~s• wherever
·and· however O}')po;rtuni ty ari.ses • ..
<:>nly :four women out of the 16 are mc:;.rried, of 'l;thich
two are ne~vly-mar~ied, and h..:::..ve no children yet, while the
others have already adnit children~
Four out of the 16 women are ver.y ~ight skinned,/ hlld
could easily pass as Europeanso
\j.lte out.standifW factor among this gr ::>up o:f women
then seem to be:
· The high standing o:f their f ami 11 es within the Coloured comrituni ty outside the factory • which i 6 based one
(a) economic security expressed in ,a high str .. nde.rd of livingf
(b) etnble family li{e;
/(c) \
/
(c) · gooi· ·f.:· :~J.c.t.ti ::m.:.l qu:.lific< tivns.l I
make for reliablc3 ~ntelligcnt w~rkerso
le<:ders, \~.ho de:nu ... n.d-· r:.nd receive respect, c...nd in=-luenc~ tlw - . .
other a., ~ey will :be eJ.ecteL on to eo~{ ttL(·.;, :::.nd ~;iJ.:.
be spoke& .. ~n -£or' tlle othGrs ;.;rhenevcr nece~::>i:i.XY _,
These 16 women be~ong tc· the hishcst at<...tus group
within tlie factoryr which C<-rriea g:L*eL t pres:t.i(.,Oo
~ere t.:· E' .?tllere," who by slr:lil.&r :ft:..Llily bulk({r1'>U!1d 0
' <i!.Ud educt..ti.onaJ. qu£-lifict:.ti ons. belong ~ls"o t;> thin :roup,
St>me: of thwn ere too you.ng f:o ·hold pos1 tions of
rosponsibilityo
not interested in conmuni.ty functions. '
All. in ... u C'.bout 36 V4?14lel1" tlu.t l ~h 25 .wer cc..t.t of ' .
the w-o:rkere in the fc.ctnry belOJl,g to th1f:. 'JJ:,.per a"L (L'j. er ,;i..~: . .
breaks and ~t lunch ;breaks they will only· UJix w1. th their
o-H"n group soci.r..lly" . ~ey might mix with others, ·..r.terevex·
they :::.re the orgcnisars··or J.e Gders of som~ function, but
the class distinction_. ctin al.\tay's be fclto 'I!hc other
workers w-ill. be- polltely ignoredr• Tw-o women ·of the au.4.a
-age mieht ei t next to: ench other at the ":lUOO.ineo The O:i1tJ
belonging -to the higher •trat.9. will be known to th; othor
I
GROUP:.
Claus• ..
per oent of the workerso
Here, t~o the key to their position in the f~ctotr
· cc::n only be found once o:ne h,•.e <..:.DL.lysod their home
r
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~-1 ' .
b •. ckground .
l:t .: .~ ~:cen t.b.c:..i the UlJpt.:r cl~es er ~t.·~; lJA..d ; , ~--, ., . '
·~'hia h...d given them <:... r~cocr.ulr:eJ. :JOl!.i.:.. : .
.:Jt,;_rr.:i r ~ ~;i ti:u.n their c ..:>LJLii.uni ty ..
I •
j..:::..s.::- l;:.teri\·rL'c: witll the inc.i.ividu<. o :..n.r· ... . ~ :>L ~:;.
-'· .
st~ bili ty which ent'blet: ;:.h£"1.' ~·.r:
f' lJ' •. ·J t i: 1a o r~.:..~J eail 'by i..ht:ir 1 eaders CJr t!1::1 ·.; ~· ~ ·~: ~ -; · . . .
.C:t·~ .. W'lll L1W• :,ro 1-,J.·y ·to ""hetter 11 themaelvoJa
.:'!·lJt 'ir.t thi.~ .;.aJ.~le Cl!::.f!S o·oup there ia L .lz. '!;','_>
" ~··
~-tl~ J~.;; l:aatu:: L . .re ill or w..emvloyed
D:.Loy will often khow e~ch other · r. OhT l ;_; t _:. ;.1
n:..AJC.£ onl.~ . th»uch yo'&l'lg girlE h~ve to t..<ii.:XeS&:; :.:J.:...t::J.~l t..'
woruen by "':heir s-.trnL.lt1e
,,
\
. -The TJj.J ... :e:r: Class wolaU'l will h, 'te leisure during her
lW1ch ;·z.ou.r, ·l.S she h;:_s ei thcr a re~:-Live ... t home, vho ia
not workine end cc:.n loJk t·.!'ter the houett, or ebe might '
Ellll'Jloy l- s~rv~nt fo:r; tllia ·purpose ,
:;ot ao the .lid0.lc Cl<...ss wolllLJl · Jhe liill do her
ahoppill(. Curine luucll: 2nur" or i:f she 11 '\ EJa n~··l" the
:ft:.ctory, c.he might go l'lolile t:nd do s0lll8 h)Uflm.~
J
~e Low~r Claeov to wbich I reckon only lb per cent \
o:f our Coloured worker.: belonc.. i'ulls really into two
grOUJ?S.
worJ.C to l:!.va us decently ;zit:~? in spite of all.
odcia beit!z C£t.inot it~ They t;.ght agc.l.nst poverty
. continuoul:lly .. lt::louch 1 t intr-Udes ut every step, t.lld ie
t.n o"bst1·.clc tv.v~rds every cl.DL
/tn ~ver .. t:r;:r,;d "'d. home, J'Z:alnouri shed, inade(lUL.. tely
dres~·e<i c;L.i.ldren, ill· health neem to de:fe<...t every efi'o:rt.
Zn spite of th143J ~ood mr.nners t:.I·e t&.ugb.t to childreng
real=eOt. is ahwn ~~u t·el t towu-ds those who u'rc better
educt..te...:.. .. n<l betto~ off tht.n they themselvec u.re~
To L.t.ve <. nd hold u job ie looked upon LS the greu. test
ulesslug ~ l~u. tl:e i'irot step towc.rde progress
:Jut thare ,..is the other hE::.lf' of. this •lower c-4. ss •
grou:w
c.s those d6scri'b.r:d v..bove, 11W.Y huve the D<..me :f~ly inc.:>me<,
or lc:...ck o:r 1noame0 but they h:..ve efven up the unet1ua.l
etru.gt:le agt.inat poverty I
aocic 1 niceties r:ny loneer·.
They pretenu not to cure for
P...ll they WLllt io to live f...S
well (.8 P<?SSi bJ£ 0 but by wh£ t means they LChi eve 1 t- haD
become itr:a.u.:.t.erit..l t(') them. 1hey/ kno\11 they w1.ll not be
/accepted
I -
I r ' I
\
f!.Ceept.ed by *he others, bUd t.hey pretend_, even to . ' .
themselves, tl:w..t 1~hey donLt want to be accepted.·
s:t11ey hc:~ve become the out .. caots of' their group; ar.1d - ~
derive a c~rtain pride iu th<...t, and e. great deal o:f
freedom_of action ·-
as it co.n ·hE.rdly be \.rorse tlu:n to day.:. /
potential, or ~ctual female akolly, the •e~m.teur prostitute"
" the bad cl:f)ment.,
I
(b) the Lmtfer Class ·groupo have very 11 t tle chance
to partici:pP.te in- t,he aoei~l life of the :factory~
T.he •respectable " group, those who a till hope •to
improve their 0\iri posi tion 11 or thc..t !>'i their children will
'be mainly concerned with "ma.ld.ng end11 meet. a lhey will
ttmake an extra penny~ by rUJVling errunds for . the other
They c.re shy <.llld awkward and 11 ve
in awe of their ttsuperiQrs« t.- th.eir "su;perioro• baing c.ll
other workers bar the "outc~stso•
I cannot but f'eel that the other socic:.:.l groups in the
factory rather 'like this timid' little group Hho ~ook up at
them with such admiration,' t..nd can. eafl,ily be bul.lle4,,., It
giveeh them an added feeling of importcmce.,
On the- other hand the 'Upper Clae£l Groups· will Justify
.their belu:.viour by helping those who ~re in distresJ?., J3; t
they wi 11 do .so v!i th · gesturea of cjlari tabl:l au1)eri ~ri ty co
'lbis 11 incidentally~ is accepted as· the right eJ.ti '!.tti.de by
' the receipents of largea~eo
The other hal.:f' o:f the IA)wer. Qlaos Dection aJ:C
mischiefmc:.kera in the· i'c.ctot" Yo I:f they are young women I
o:f doubtful' ~irtue0 they will be· closely vTc.;.tched by t:h~
commanity, eo th:.:t they cc.nnot )_nf'J.uence t.he young {::irla
of' good h~cs~ ·~ley are the floating population o:f the
/tectory
/
i i l I I I·
?rodu.ction .Planning cc.n.not t<:..ke into considerc;.tion
s~oial distinctions wmong its workers~
A girl of the lowest sociul stal)lding within the
Coloured community, · o:f a _"bud • home, might easily ei t on,
the machine next to a girl who has pa~serl mutric ~nd comes
of a "strict" homeo In spite of the physical proximity
of their :res1::ecti ve working places, these eil .. ls will never
mix socio.llyJ once t.he factory hooter hG.s broken u_p workin~
discipline I
' 4,~ SOCIAL CLA~S . AliD A'J.'TITUDE TO SEX.
The. difference in the behaviour pattern o£ social
classes represented in the f'Lctory is uost 11oticeable in . the attitude taken towErds questions concerning se:1::.
Irl the Upper C+ass it will hardly ever happen that a
. girl falls pregnr.:nt without being ~rried~ I only know
of one caS6· in three years. Thi,s vta.s treated as an
absolute frutlily disaster.. ·111e par~nts of the girl were
in Q.espaira
l.be father threw the girl out of l:dD house;)· and -a
~·ied sister had to cone to her rescuso ~c girl got •
hla.rri¢d fom· months before her baby was born.. Eut only
when her child wa-s. one year. o'ld, and the couple ho.d ).)roved
their worth was a family reunion affected. , ·
In-the case of a Iaddle Class :family presn~ncies of I
unmarried girls .will he.ppen mqre · o~ten 1 bu~ the reaction
of. the pa.r~nte •dll not be quite so drastico The girl
Will most probably get a h1ding11 the :m.:m be_ made to' "fl.lerry
hero On.ce they_ are married the incident will be
forgotteno .
In the respectable Lower'class.group the girl will be 1-
\
frightened to tell her parents, but mainly on account of
/the
I.
'' '~'} '.
the economic problem t..rising.. · She will uot be· Lble for
some time to c;,dd her vc..ges to the ulready minute .falld.ly
incame .. ~e .niic;llt or .might :not get ~rried .. ·but either '
wu, , _w.1_.1, be all adt.ed burden to the reape~ti ve
housellolds~" But nobo~ will view th~ event as a
particular social disgrace. ' I '
In the' ccse of an •outcast• fe~ly~ it will be taken
far grt..nted thzt it must happen sometime., The ~rl might
be scolded for her stupidity, but as lone as she is he<hy0 '
and might be P.ble to get eome money from th(J; m.an ... o aupyart
the child.> n6body will really care"
nut to whoever it hap~ens witbin the factory commun1ty - . \
•, there are about 6 cases of illegi ti.Ill&te births a yer:..r , ,
it is a most welc~e und inexhaueti~le toplc of convers~tiono '
But there will clso be spontcuaeous sympatny and finunci~
help forthcomine 9 wherever a.worker~ for w~tev~r reLson,
is in distress
,.
i ' I I
I ~ I
I I
Section Co
lo
'"·
a.
lOo
Introduction ••••• " •• o •••••••••• •.•'· ••• " ...
Religious principles of :V!uslims.a •••••
Effect on. F~:.ctory life ................. .
~e position of the Malay womzn vTi thin .her community .................... ~
Social Classes o:f l·Ia.lay women represented in the ~~etory ••••••••••••
T.he position of the Malay men in the Factory."' ••••••••••••• "• ••• •" ••••
Educa.ti on and Author! ty ............... .
Religion c.nd Income ••••••••••...•••••••
Religion t:.lld Sex ........................ .
Religi on c..nd 3d ucc. t i on. • • • • • • • • • . • " ••••
ll.o Religion and CUstoms •• •'• ••..••••••••••
12. Conc~usions ••••••••• ~ ................. o
46
48
53
55
58
60
61
63
67
..,... .. .. -
~ ~ ;_~r~·! ~i~ (: -. ) ........ ----..-......-
'
a;_u ClU!..... .dAL.t. Y G.i.-. OlJ2 • II. ~~-~
• ~ • " The CL.pe ll~.lt..ys form. by f: r the :k.rg·..:r Loction of the loc~;l ~lu::illlilo& who c .... n :.: .... ':.l.c;hly be divided into two gr:)u:_ps1 tho C:.. pt: ~.:.:.ltyG · dJ·JUt ~5, OOJ • w~.Jae h:lrlle lc. n{;U.Lf:e ia :S:rik. . .nL 1
~nd the-Indiu.ns · t>..bout 5,000 · \:lho E~J}t;~.k lh::::.~~O'Wl~ lc::nguage i...S well r...u :;ngli:Jh ~"'o:.."" ~oth ~;c~·u..}:..L Ar~.bic if:. the lc.nru...:.ge o:r the ~:osque, alJ.j.JA>.loou .. :.:.ted by Ai"rik:iu.DS ill tllo c<.. ~e 01~ tha Ct..](e _j_l. y:;, · ·-~.ri urdu in the Ct..Se of the InCiL.lln ... 1 rLctiocllY ... l.l C,;__l:e liu&lilllS belong to 'the u'Wlai th .. .;t -
The C::.pe ~lL.Y £TOUll ~ont;iotL · ;;~ 'illL..u:.J rc.ci~l elements• .rr..vaneeet.. ~.rabs.: !u~L .. .nv, Ct:yloneae, Cllinooe t:.IJ(: ~~t:>pett.na b.:...vc mixt.:d ·;i tll Negro- t..nd Colol:A.red- · · and to Ll. lc:na~er e."tL.tJnt -:· '··i.U
tv produce the co~it;;t they i'o:c1:..; i.•Jcl~._y r.~ mention only some of the consti tueni.a oi' w-l.Iic~.1 thi~, r:....cc io com.t:'ounded.
A mixed coru:uuni 'l~r _ cun~t·..ntly r.;;· ;;;nf ~.rc..:u by various eleme~ t a, ~inket:. by one bond .. rel..: gi :>n ''
'fl:le fLctory conmnmi ty with which we_ t rc concerned
holds only Cc.:.pe :,;._lLys, Lnd no Incl~t..ns ..
women and cbout 30 men who belong to thiu group
Aa Dr .. du Plessis &i.t:;.tea in his bookp it is •a miX;ed,
comnnmi ty~J const8.0tl:r re enf'oroed by vv.r1ous elemental, '
linked by. one bond • · religion "
' Au S .. Arberry and Rom L:..ndau in their book,') •Is.lam
to· 'dt.Y I) • say&
lt"uolu..mmede.nism is esaenti<-lly !;:. prc....ctic[.,.l rellgionu It lcya do.m· distinct ~tL.lldards '£':lr legal, ·aoch.l, :vo~i tical conciuct,_ t.nd regulates the ~ife ox· [.. :.:usll.m L'"' .ft..th~r, husb<.nd, eon, guiding him through tl:!e, entire lubyrinth of his economic ~Jld r1ersont:~ e.ctivi ties .. •
D~Ae is constt:.ntly reminded o:f thi!l f'actu when one i.e
~ey
·remain a distinct community within t co~ity~ in spite or
/the
/!
th~
2o ~~:~Js.la~::r-2-f thf!.J~l4E!!(·
I .
To ~aeratand at c.l~. thy attitude o! tll:i.s · groUIJ ~c.
their reaction tmiurds their surroJ~di~~s; one has to
consicler their religious principles on which the Muslim
Faith is builto I
·-
, Levoni "'n. in h.i. s ~Hoslem 1-:e;p.te.li ty• enumerr .. tes the
.principles which influence a Muelim~s lifea
0 nte .tSed:reseGh -(Huelim school of :r-eligionJ ·br~ establiShed a d1v~ne soience based on the :;.:eaul:ta.r inter.r.>retation of the Hc:,di tb- (Hue:' .im tredi ti one) <) f)
nte :msin · l:tnes o:f menta.l:i t3," U.'t"et
I, "Truth cannot be discovered by reu.son but by trgditiono
II,) ~Life must be administered~ not through hurn;m principles discovered by human intellect 0 but by the d1 vin~ laws which are unch.c•ngeabler·
III .. ' The 'IITOrld is p1;1asing·,j the next fa everlasting,..
IV·; To aecribe everything to t'~te and. destinyo
V . To reject the nntionul Ufe and to remo.in bound by religious tre.di tions->·
VI,, To l)ay abaolu.te ho.t.r.!£.ge ·to a apiri tu(l;l leac.i.:, ur
The Huolim law lc..ys ~O'.m thata
"A ro.e.n 'IDa¥ he.ve fow..: wives and concubinea, A man may a.ivoree his wife, but a wom.r:n mo.y never divorce her husbc,ud(· •
I. D" du Plessis point8 out in hin 'hook ths.t , ·
"An indication of the main features of Moh?mmedan ritual will hQlp to understLnd local practice£L.
• fhe'Arabic word •Islam• means ~surrender• (to God), and.all Muslims (followers of Is~) must surrender themselves to the fi~e crtic~~s of faith8
-I o 'lhere is no deity but Allah11 o.nd
llohalrmed is his Prophet(> ·
/2
-'·-'""
' '
-
' l
I I' I I
2~ neligioua· practioefi c.:t set tilnes (Seldtl.
3·. A religious tax (Zn-kaJ o
4o F~sts, especially R~dano
fin Pilgr:iniage to i:ecca (HadJ):
?~·eyers <-l'e s&id :five times £!<clay.~
"' must be per:rormed in a prescribed way . ., .
Ablutions
3 o ~tit' ecJ, OI!._A~ t.QU..}.;i...[!~
How· do these prinoip.les . to whic .. ~· the followers of
1rplmrmned h<::.ve to submit affect the daily li:fe of the
.:f'~ctory comruni ty? How does 1 t aff'ect tlie rclt..tionshi;p
of Coloured and J.·L:.l:ay within th<. t col:!:lmUni ty?
'lhese ure the first questions which \<olii.l h .. ve to be
answered .. •
I huve at~ted betore tbzt there exists a.~onatLnt
entugonism between those tw0 group·a ... '..rhich very often
interfer~s with the smooth r~ng of the community ~sa
Let me quote t..n ext:.mple ~hich \till pro.re this point~
In my CU~&city as Velfcre Officer I was ke~n to
improve the stcnde.rd·of health.among o~r workersu .AJU;,lysi:.::
of n.bsenteer-records t.n<l investigt~tions into the food ha:bi ts
of our employees .:prove'd/tht:.t .ma.lnutri tion \-rae a big :ft.ctor ' ' \
in retarding workint.' ability, causing unnecessary' :faticuta
u_nd deuility. I ~llg£ eated to the Uunctement t.iu~.t the . '
' introd'ucti on of a soup' kitchen would de~tl.Uld only a amall.
finuncial outluyo '.lbis would be Hlll.PlY recompensed by
' increased energy o:r the vorker, ttliich \~ould benel"i t Ais
•
working\cayac1ty .. '
.I wee told to go -.he~ d \vi th the plan"
'l:b.ere wn.s clh.:c.dy <:~ c .. ..nteen in existence 1./hiCh
aupplied_ teas ~d cof':fees at nominc.l ~hi:,.,rgee, utd <... ~ody
. of workers representing the di:fferen '; :1epartm.ents.. the
/"ll~h~!l
'Ill • ·--· - •. 1" - ..... ·~·.. •• - • -,
'
I Ct.ll.:( .. :::. moctino: :li.' this c.:>rurui ttt.-e nu taJd thUll I
th.: t 1·!e \iuul<i a ;,Jt: bo cb.J.c to supply c co Jd 0 strJng br:lth
r:.t lunchtiLu~ Th.1 o vou.lC. be c nice :.:.cl~ ti :lD to their
sundwi·ches.
"Vell .. ocld tho liohrmmedan mm.1bE.Jrc o:f the CoWLli ttc.u,
"would thei·e. be mec:..t in 1 t?•
I Lsaured them there wou~d •· "'
"l3ut W:lUld 1 t be slr.uchtered in the right- WLy?• I
! Laked the Chriotitn uembers of the committee if
they ml.nded lu-Vi!lg the meet SUpplied. by C ~-:i'L:.lLy butcher.
~ey did not mind
•::1ut9" add the Et.lt..ys~ mwould the B:>U.P' be cooked by
\
_, 'l.hLt could c.lao be c.rro.ngt:d, I thought.
wAnd would c.ll the necesSLl'Y apices b.c t.d.ued to l.(L..).{e
the soup pclt:.tublc? 11 delili..nded 'the :Iul'-Y members<;
"L'a 9 • su.id the ChriatL na. they vould nat: 'be ~rept..roci.
to et..t . ;up set..soned w1 th· spice8t·
'. J• · ... Bt•id the ~.::ul.~ys_ they would not be prept..rcd t"
cut a soup without opicea .. ' I
•Could \·IC then llL!ve two Soup ki tcpens? 11
•Double expenae 41 " roc::.rcd the I~nq_,emcnt, a.·out of the
question, either ever,yone \dll e~t this e~up, or nobody
will get 1 t" 11
liobo.dy ever got ~ t-.. ~e · .. rorkers still cheill 1h eir C!.ry
et..ndwich~e ~.nd eo without r.. hot met.l t..ll de.y long .
. '3lco c. ~rc'l..-.r the working ef:fi ci cnoy o:r the :ill.lt..y
section in il:lllJ~ired by their atric.t t.dherenoe +.o •i1£J'Ila.dt.n . • • ; I
.n-~rihg thie pe'riod., uhich l~.-sts one. :tunt..r m:mtb~ . ,
noi ther :fo::>d. nor' drink nu_y }!nns o. .... :usli!:l a lipa f'rom dt.un
to duok. In epi te of' :ft..oting the w-omen ht..ve otill. to
\-tark their .eicht cnd u h: l:f h<Jurs t <lay t..t tlle Lk ahine ..
,
. • r6::ll ..:;' J~ ~'I J:. J"jj, TIL ~-~:.I~'~! ................... -.-------...-. .....................
~~ ex~l~a ~uote~ Lbov~ eifcct the life of the
\iholc :f:.:..ct,r:r community, uen t.nd .JOlil(;;}l ::_l_ko. nut to
underat<:..nd why the :.:cl.t.y wo.nu.n tc.kwc such o. i.JE..eaivo p;...J:-t
in the s~oitl Life of ·tho f~ctor.y c~~1ty one hLe to
rc::.lisc the J})Sition clle holC.s V'ithi~ the ::.:...lt:y coiiJmunity
as t. vholc..,
'!he ~ .. l:..::.y ·.rQ!llUl of t.oday, be bho 15 or 50 :;et..r a of . \
:.:.gep work1:clt; in ~ i:t..c~~ry v cr :._t home, .. i.e brou,gb.t ;.tp
Ltri\:tly in ....ccor~Jlce with the principles lt-id down in
the :~or:...n ....
:Jven if. ohe ·j e net kevt in .-... ~ar<lcili 11 , tllLt is, hicuen
f:ro.:u the r;:J.cht of strt-ncers ut hoiae~. olle is very muoh ke:pt
in ~ mentLl p".ll'Cich ·• a m.entL.l, .2urt.:.cili wh1-:h ourtt.ins her o-r:f
fram &11 knowledge ~opeun e~uc~tion mieht imbue in heru . . I
It1 \1~.11 be shown tbL t ·the educt tion at. u<..t.rd [.lllong the
.:..:...lc_y 1.J.D.en in the ,fu.ctory is very much low-er t!U.n tlu..t of
the C~loured of the sLwe ~ce grJupa· ~bile the atre2~ is
lLid on s~~~ol educ~tion wmonc the Cllour~u er~up, religiouD
ecluc~ti on t:_.kea 1 ts plc..ce uuonc the .L..ll...l:..:y aecti ano
'Za.e Coloured girl might cttenC. .,-,)·ening _c: :aes to
ilie • .L.lLy girl \till ~lao
;;..t-:.enCi. Cl=..SStli; • only these Cl<.;.fi;:JCC W'~.l.!. l.L VC lJet:n .Jrgt..ni5Cd
by the .... uslinl. cti::.t:.u.n.mi ty, .und wlll dec.l i.Jur~ly with :rao<iea of ' '
beh&vi our LS dew: nded by !'"'li~i.>'~US tr< eli ti on ..
'1he 'Colom"ed gil:l will go· tc the necr.:Jst sch::>ol in
her district, the !:t..l~y girl will listen t~ instructions
given to he~ by the ~3s wifeo
Sbe will be tt:.tie;ht Arabic prayers She will becoue
t..ccompllahe<=. in aevinc c.nd embroidery. in cooking L.nd 'b:.ld.ng _
~e will be t:...ucht . ·.oc.'f to behave e.t febtive occ<...siona, whE.tt
prcyers ~rc to be GLid Jn what ooc~sions, what ~blutiono
to be I-eri'or.u..e~, t..nC. in \lha ~ VLY,•
n- ... 'hy~ will not 'tJc f:!n~our:. ged
of ull l~uslil!l «.ucLtion.,
Tr!i..C.i t1 on 1 o 1..t.e f JtmU.<.. ti :)ll
1T~m the ver.y beginninc it wil~ ue inatillcG in the
-.clc.y eirl th: t her til tir.ut te dm l.J.UUt be to . .-t•:)l;.uc.;
childron0 t:. bet r a~n£ ,
ht...s to aubtrl:to :_ut the more children t.-he bea.lfvll the older I
Dhe becJ~:.tco, the more reverence is <iae to her wi t..bin haJ;
fLldly cir'}ltt·
In the .:2. lay comruuni ty, more tlu-..n ~ flY\.J"here (;!lee the
womon is Ul integr'-1 l!'-rt of t:. funily structure. c:...nd
ct.m1ot be vic<.ted t.s c:. single un1 t ..
".~:ilit X.:Jlltj:,.ni Esm lt.yf.l cJ or.ni ... di stinci..i Vf.i .Jt~dLrC..s .f vr le~r.l, socic.lil I)Oli tice.l C')nduot n ,, •
O.oci=.-1 clt:.soer.; \Ti thin the ~usl~.::a 1ooimu;,i ty u.rc based
em religi oua conaiderc. tiona t..nd th~se co1nciU.e wi tlJ.
~ .onamic wealth '
In pruitice thia .I.e ~B tht..t, W'bile c Coloure<L zirl.,
or youne ~nmr.n of ~ cooc i"i,..t'lily !Liigb.t h:..vv t:> •..:rork to
impl.eJ!tent tll.e f'i.mily ~.ncome, t:. ~~t.lo.y girl of C:.:lJ<l .(am!ly
-w"ill et~ y Lt hJlllea I
In the :first ct:J..:c •c,od f't..;.J.ly" is
not oyno~ym·jus vi th ·weil ·to ·do .f•.!!lil;r whi.;; in tile .lther
econ~lJJ.c ·wu'-.lth Lnd socit.l c:U ss urc cl::Joely correl .... tcO.o
A :..i;.lt.y gir]. <J:f _cJ.ddle C).r.:.ss i';.Jid.Jy u:!.[")lt eo t.o \.llork
until she { ets l!it!.rri ed.
to t-n end. , 'ilia purp Jae will be to contribute to"W"c....rds the l
ex_t.lellses J:f t:.n 'elt.bor:.. te wedd4-ng~.~ • n<i t.J-.rt-rc.ti t~e· · gru.~.ut..l
Onl.y '-.bout ten out of the 64 ~:~...J uy 1 r;Jl>J.en auq;loye~ Lt
the i"Lctory come i'r-:na th t clues. ~ey <·ro L 11 bet.reen
\!oillen in the fl ctory cOIUe a': poor .fr'~~ 1;._t:s .n: brc the , /
f.--.. ·~ < --1·...;:.+- , ....... } ..•
~-,_ "' ~leo UJ.c:....n:: th· t,, \tilile the ccci:....l :.::trt..ctw:e ol'
whole ~olcured ·colW!tmi ty 'of i...n in<iustrL:.l ci ty9 1!::.~ -~ .11:
the :::.L...:-- c o!!!!lmni ty i a not .
~tlttcr cl~.&s l10me ~.Till rcl'lll:in L t home, w.J. \i:ill never
bee Jl.Je 0.1 iu~uatrit..l vorker,
' .:zoci~.-1 ClC!.flscE: ·.'hile there <..l."tl ~ t lc-:....;:,t foa:.· ... ...__,..- ~ ............
distinct soci<...l clac.:::c~ r1u.onr ·the Colcurt;;d c:Jm:awrl. tJ
\li tlrl.n the f<.:ctory the~·o u.rc only 'ih r~o a..lJ~c:.; ".:he ::t..l:....yt:, . ' end thoze Lr~ blurrc~, ~nd often ~lt into ~nc.
7.he rE.:uson t:or th~.t is ·~:.he vener::..tion t...nd t-uth:ri ty
w".uic.h ii3 due to t..nci inspired. by .:::.gEl;. t::.CCol·~inc to tlJ.o
ethic::..l co<ie of the ~Iohc·'''ned.c.c:.n. A Joune girl of
v~:.-'1 _,lder th:m hercelf, of i.-r!u..tovar fdllily ~ll.~ might be.
ill~;. ~oci• ·. grot..J;)ill{; .1i thin the grocy 1 a more
determiL.et by (;.{;C thw c:W.as
uJrlCs ir:. the i't..ctory ai~ e by ~ide ''11th the.: youn.::; i1al.:....y
wom.:..·.l 1•e.;;:li~c-s thL.t she be~Oll("S to ""' di:t''l.'ercnt £O~ir:.l et.t:... ta
tllUl thb ;·::.~rer,tte of the girl, but accordinc to ~Ll~y CUEtJ:..i4t
poo:::- :....1,.:. rich c..llke h:_.ve to WL:t"C the onjoymeht o'£ .... :fc.:....r;t ._
\ihen :....!lL.lysing the· soci<:;.J. clU£ees whicti mr.h.;t ih the
Cc.pe Col.,u:t·ed community.., I 5tresseu t\1;> .f..Ji~tD3
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Uu.:.t the better the education tl.te r.igher U1e pr~atige of ~n individuL.l or L groupi
th.~-t the lightel the uld.n colvlU.· the more ~ . .ivt.:.nt.:.ges are offered to the inC:.ivitiu:...l to attain a high~r degree or educLtionJ
~t economi~ considerution Le to the st~tY-6 o:f ;;:reon is ·olJ.ly of ceoonC.;;,ry illl.portr...ncu
~£ explt ins \lhy the Co~oured women ·beween the
aees ~r ~J ~nd 35 were the most cctive in tcking ~ leLd
/in
... J.Jrkint; tti ther :..n oti.l.·~ ~r in ~Y other i£.-.ctory, \/1'l .• Ld
f'.)ur out of t~ eix 'llr'"ivuE v'Z thv Colouret: meu c.re ~.n
em,ploY~p.unt,
~lu.le there ie l: gr~:.. t det-1 of frict.i.on bqt,uuen the ,/ .
Eu.lay c. t1d CJloured men, thioJ :.:~U..:r men will flil-t w-.~ tll.
eqULlly er~Lt plecsUrtl '.ii th ~ Coloured girl aa \d th i
. :ia.J.r:y ~irl. Colour~d women will \"tc.tch developmer ::a w-ith
oullci ou.u 'Lut .amicble .ibacrv~r, ~at e.:> vlum a Cc":..ol:i.r'ed . . ../
Llan get involved with c1. :i.:.l~y cirl.. Th£n ev ary'ilc6~ will
1;~ et:u .... lly ~i sc:pprorlng .
ill.is (.!.tt.itude baa ito :i:'ounuc.ticn in ·l.llc ft~ct t~ ;_
the r(;.;llgi ous iroportc.nce ol' tLe vo!ll!.l.ll is very oL:t-!l U:.<.onc
tho ::oh~edws · it is e. "masculinett religion, r:-:>.J.:y .~uuu
h~.ve a eJul t.ncl cc:..n pt..aa on tr ..... <iltion11 'Jilulcn w·e only
tools,
t·a:nen proael]tea Ll'e easily Made •. to,:.:; lo11c u.s ~ t;irl
will accept instructions by the Ililt..m~ a ~i:te 1 .:he will ce
girl who becoraeu u Christicn to. plet".~e her <.;olourcu love:..,
She will be t.n outc<:...se in both comunmi tiLBn
' 2:::rw~ very much the volll.m 1& only t1·c .... tcd L£ Ut.u ,...~tJlG
to uit end, 11 tht.t is.· to bear children, i~ illui..'Ll.•; te6. i.n
tha 'f'olla-.rinc problem w-hich w.t...s put to Ll•.=~ in m;y ~<...pt..ci t.v
o.s ., elf"Lre J:ff'i cer ..
A youns iJ.L.lt:.Y gl.rl stl..Yeci bWfJ.Y .fr.J~ ·..:ork. :z.~um:>Ur hrui it the.. t she W L B ~r 6eJ1.: ll t,., .Jle .., • d been away for some time when into l1\Y of:fice w-e.lked two women awe:.. thed in lllLck~,~ \It th :,;lL.Ck yt..sl-..m:..ka covt n-tngtb.eir f'Lcea. ·~cy ;;:Lt d ... J~i._:[' ·
•cryill[: bi ttel.~1.v- Cr~·Ld.w...lly ~oy .u.)b'i...e~ ;jtJ.'f: t.llsir a tory,
'!hey were the m~ther 1 t.i.d t)l.der uiLtt:r o~ the c.bDent girl.-. ;.:he vt.s y.:o:.·tgn..:.nt, , il~ they 6.)cicl ont.. "J:t" :>ur l11en, a ~:i.lt:.y vc...~;; LL.c f:._ ther., <..nt.. he \IU,.fl
'-lr'-udy r.ar.:.rri<..>tl :.i1ey L..u <~:l?l".n.:cJ:lea :!li.IU ·to GUpJprt the girl;, <..nd he lu...c.:.. rd?us~ci. to C:o s J J. ·c.~·Oiiliooc to tt.lk to the ~ • ilti Lcf! .1i1t.t I o..>uld ... '
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do i'or h~ro
1\.i'ter ·Ln~ ·,.r:J.'ll:;.."l t.;..:...<i lc.ft I· called 1n the rdan <-lld ca.uti~ualy c..~J:Jro"-ched him, et..~ting th~,i I h:.d be~.:n inf:>mei.. th t b.a might be the f'ather vf tire child to be born, ·~:r.:.s th<. t correct?
"Yes, certainly, \tho else sL.0Ul<- 1 t h....ve beun?" EL..iti. the I!u!n full :>t: indicnc.tl~n.
I ti.::~s t:...ken ~1x .... clt I h~ ex.~~ct~d deni:..ls ~~ insintutiono LS t6 the virtue of the girl in ceru~::~r 1., r..s ll'.~.en in uil!d.lt.r :;;i tu: ti ons lm.O. reucted ureviously~, to wrigcle out of rc s:ponsibili ty ,
"And•o add hev I told. her };l.:rents I c:.m :'.:ll~.:..v:.red to I"iErrJ ~er t"
~t .Abdulltll, ~,..ou :_:-c ~1·::•i'cd cl,:c~dy c~" I Wt S ah>JCked
•I [;:l:.l u :-~ual:\IU I C<::ll .lul.7e tvo \Ii ve~ 0 c~ t I ?•
~~ ~spect o~ the eLse I hsc fo~&J~ten
"I heve S}token to ruy purents ;..nd U'fY \<life end tlH:·Jr c.:.re llr ... ·,Pcre:: · .. .; t:.:.ke her into tht:: fwuily , "but \1- nre not ~:>od enouc)l :for them- tJ 'lllia wae sdrl 'fUll of_ in.jm•ui dieni ty.
"lhey Wtlllt the money :.nd my HO..l· \.'ho is going to tl'O:l"k tor me when I em old? If I sn not good en.--m.:;h for their C. ... ughtei.·, tl1ey cun keep her,_, but I Wt:llt my son.. I em only going tc p:...y her if I cUl h::..v~ him-. 11
Thie "'cs toJ .m·uc!.o. fer ury \:estern mind. i>.l .. unborn child ::£ unkno\m !iex <..lrct.dy viuualisec:. as wt.~ e ,earning m:_lE .. in ._ dim :~utu.::e.~ w.W..le E!.yp~rently no one ct..red .for tll.~ r~tt3 of the \-roman concerned.,
Veakly I promised to yu~ the c~oe to the t;irl' o mother~- -..rho '.li..~ to coma to see l!le the
_ '!: ol.l _o-..ring dt.y c.
-I found thLt the. li.iLll hud lJUt the pooi tion
· c :;r~.:ectly to ~~- ~c girl-s J.<-.rento \:..id :.'lot ~~prove Of their c~ucnter being ~ Eecond ~i.feo CS ::-..t:l i.ht.t \'ic...S bolOti L:..;r f?OCiLl ati.Jle;_ing, ~sy lJ-~ted the unboJ.'"ll chil.d to supyort their oli age one d~y, t:.nc. t~ey w-.·:...ntP .:_:':le nlf'' ·•- -ucy far it wi th..>ut havi~ ~n:l x·i· v t. ·er cr ch~.ld,
:~obody necn:ed in· .tel.. , girl·~ u\shes.l th:meh I untlE:r io:it J.)d tj._ cl:.e l.av~-~- the. lllUl L!J/\ w.-...a quite rwilling to. become his second v:!:fe end be:;;.!: h1.l:l--f'. son 1zy upb!'il~inc; t.nd et.hic:.:.l c"><le !!lL.d.e it imvoecible for me to :f'oll.:r..; their re<..eoning ~-ccv~ up .:.nd toltl tl..CLJ. "" o settle the ct.se tlJ.el!l~elvea,
!.e.ter I h(.;t:rL~ t~ .. t t.il.e :;;are:;n1..s o:t' the. [;lrl pr~ferred to e~ry th~ immediate :finu1ciul lone for the zclt:e a! the i'ui..tu.··;:; invr.;stment !.Jthicu.l conEic.tera ti emu nuo1. · ~=.: t.l..!.e happ1nees o:f the i.r.<lividuel. Jr uJr"".l oLllc:.t~ona tOW"~rds u. ·l!l:;th~r
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and c1.dld, or \.;.ven .. ..;he righ,ta of i'athel·v u~a sentiments of the Oocidcnt 8 r.:.t J. hc::.ve no ·roo4 in th~ pructi'!~l 1Jhilouo:phy of tl1e Orient,,
,Incidentnlly9 tho girl did gi.ve birth to a aonn
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socir.l st~d1di:ng within th~ir community i;.:!ld a hieh
pru-portion 0:f this 85 pe:r ..:ent live bclov the po~·crt;r '
datum. lir ... c., .As it :::W.s been stCJ.ted before tm wome~1 do
not ;;.ttain ::ny pozi tio~ of o.utt,ori t.y within tiw :t"aoto:ry·
She i o n e"c;l.r or over
60;;bP..$ 1Jeen \lith the f:i.rm over 30 yearr;g .:.nd ht-.ta become
en inoti tuti,om~' t.ih•1·e one ~a.:w.""lot quer.:r "how" .!Jr t'Jwl1Yri
gc ·~ ~lwaya the \'lay of h::.st
reai o·t&.nce end 5.:~ . . ;pi te of <i:ll thie is ::-;. rather lovcu.ble.
char act:>::-,.
pel*forn~ .n~e of dnncing or d.ra.ma.tic intcrnre:t.atio:n o£ a
ai tu::..:.tivn·: •Jne will co::.:r_olet~ly 'forget tl:u:.t one 'ia
watcLlil1e: an old . tooth:Leos \vomari,,
1!mnbers o:f her t·-::mi ly v e~/ son u a o:a~.ter ~ two - (
grandcll."' ?.d:r:eu£1 &nd e. t•c'."l nephm'l's dl<i r.ti ec es c.re dot ted all
over t:ne :t·~ctory,~ . Th~y live in holy terror of their e~dcr"
_ b11t wil·· cbUle to her with every, gri~vwce a:nd whether. rig;b.t
or wror ~~ it ...,ill be t:::ken up and the i s;:;ue fo·..zght to the
.All other ~!alay vomen live in COlllPt..ratively anonymity
-' within t..lle factorJ o<»mrmni ty, .. ta.ldug a; passi-~c pc:~:r·t J.ll .. l ts
soeicl li:f'e0 . THey will. only come . to u:e. by SU.l:)l,)Orting
their male sp~kesmeu~ · when f.D. i sr-ue is at stclce- which
/con":eru.s
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.J,~ ~ '#J\~ ~ ~ ._ ••• ·)!_
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ouch u.u tho luci(1.~nt o:f
be£ore.j
!mother inot~ce trhore un l~rovoroo.nt ,,,as boycotted ·
by tlie I·k:.lt:;t cOD'.llUuni-ty, ..:...nd could thuro:C0re not be put
It is the cuztom at tee. breal:~~ for .;he ·::c:.:.·lters· to queue u:r:; outside the ·canteen lultches with their ur.-.'11 £;1e:.ssas:: to ba ·fi lleC.. \:!1 tll ei tllGl" te~> <:of':fce or milk, i:u exclu...ng3 for co"'.lPone ..
I ~oticed .tht.t the ·glasses were not ;;._lw,~ . .;:·s cl.eCJ.n; a.n6. th:: .. :t th~ pou:ring cut .Jf b~·v-~ri.:.,zt•J ·..:~H ... 'k up tao much time o:f the preci :>us ·ten r:inute~ 'bl~P.::;;Jr: !. therefor::~ l::>e::..'eut..ded t:C~ ~I.r:1nugem~nt to buy , dJ.l,J . .;j.,. so toct the drink3 could t>e l?Oured out be:f:)r.~ ·the bre:.::.k ota1•teu.
The :firat cay tllis ";1!..8 intro~u.ced ~ ere: t muddle wes c~uned. by tTorkers re.fw.1ing to ·tr:..k,'! the filled cups~ 1;ut. W1<.:.uti:ng their O'..rll c:lt~a:Jc::. :fl.llei.J I cc.lleq. a meeting q:f the lG. tchen Commi t·~ee at3king thc1u f·or taeir co ·opE::r.·~ti .);n,,
T.b.a l:Lalr:.y ~en ott the commit tee -;roiceu · thel:t~ peo:p~e Js protest t:'.£<:-inst this innovation., . J.t could not be acc0ptcc~ l:iy tho I!l-... la]" con.aauni ty.
! wentcC. to knov: \'Jhy ·, tta."Y.j~e:c- e.l1. y-:>u st.ve yotn.· 0'\'!.C tJasses :;.,.ncl yo?J. get ae:t·ved quiokerv ~
r ~
·•:a. ... .Jit be the cs.ae 0 " 1.•ep~ ied the ~cluysl) ubut''~ t:a:£4 <Jc.H;;., bencitl(; tmw .. rds I:1t! oon'i'idl':trti<. .. ~ly, 2-.nd whis:per~~ .. ~.n a ehocked voice ''they ei:p lr'ig into their ct:.l!' ' ....
• 11The Chriotia..i.~ di_p pig St.UdWl.Cht.':!!J ini.o r~:c~r. CUJ?Sa then <lnother ti..me '\IC cet the!::: Llld ! t LU:.kcH3 us unclean_•
! t uas of no <..:.vai~ aasm·ing thclU. th. .. t t~ven if npig" sand~iches were dipped into the eoffe~~ cup~ would be. 1.Jashed before the 11~.;JXt r.,ersull would drink out of' thw
Xfle innovation \1/: .• n boycottec:J , .. nd ell the nice green, \thi te u1(; blue bLkol.tt~ cups h.Ld to l:oe int c a. cupboa.rcl , Dirty gks~es "":re 11: nded il'l r:;.ecin over the couriter. to hP- '.i.'il~et:. in CUIJ.bersome l!l:~nncr;l w::: sting prt.:;:eioun • .rea :ng tlrue , . .. . .
It hu.c beeli L1.entioned before th~t tl:e o,nly col!Im." .. mt:l
e:f:f'urts \-rhe:re co1nplcte QO· ·operation between Colr.nu .. ed <.;D.d
1-lalay are [!..Chieved~ are chL:r! table euterpri setJ. .'Jhic too,
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' iifr. c...:?ter C:.euth, . - 'n.a poorest. ~OIGJ:n 0 th~re.forei' will be
g~t d uf the op}:lort\Ul;,. ty to O.o c. gooC. deed-: even if 1 t ia
~...t • .,ing e. f'r~ck whio: 1 will ~be _ given to ::. ,:.f:"'.:"' 1, ·• :J..S a
Chri a:t .. 'll.;;.G -present t)
~'he nu._Jori t;t o:f -he :-Ir:..J.r.y 't-ro~en in the fe-c\.ory lu..v6
nW.ther the educ..:.t.icn, the be c..lth, nox- the pec(<e of mj.rs: ....
which c.omcs of u. h~.PPY homeJ to partic.:~pLte ~n soci~l , I
atJtivi ties1)
It ht;S been- at. id t~ ·L they live en or be!.ow the ; '
~e ret. son fo_- t!lt- t is not only t;,
small income, butv according to the \!EH.:terh ~i.lr·?yecn mi:r2.d.
a mald-1.atrib·ati on c-f' ineo:meo
lTot so· for the ilalcy o:f ... Iohammecitun ~c.i t.u., \
things fi:-. stu a -;rl.l.l mec.n th~ t ·religious :>bligc.tions will
ht:ve to be sat,i ~ied firct 'before ev-erything else cc.n 'b€i
In pra~ticcr this means th.L t a. vereon of
-smul t i.nc z)me w1J.l £ ·.rat J?ut. c.s~:le a sum of money to :pay .
her. relie1 ouE", t-.ix: Aka) Yext zhe h:..e to Da-ve J:or the
-dF.tY ·,·J"hev p. memb..:r .... ~- the fwnily gets 11l:...,l.•ried. t.o be ::..ble
to hi.. ve f', weadi \1{; urdine 'to religious -tr, ..i...t ti onsn ' -
Cl.nly ~he~ ;l0J1 t.i;.e tl..llllll.edi:.: te . neeo s be c ..>r.eideredo
An4 hero ·egc.inJ fooil will not ,.oe 1;urchasec ·: .... t;.CCQrd::..n(!o
w1tll di~tury needs, but ih <....~cordLnce \dth food lubita
which, Mq .ired . .many cent uri en ago., might ht.- .·e been
<:dequr~te ·t.;o· the.:.~ IJUrticul<:..:r way o:: llvint :::...nd climate.,_ c.r··.
c~rried over into a ~limate ~nd w~ of llving ~oreign to
the 1-!oh:..:ll'.lliledt:.n c.neestors 0 L-nd ~ccording~y Wlsui t<..;.blc.
A great number of 1-!a1ay \To:men in the factory r~ ,, mainourlshed t..rld therefore en ilasy ·prey .o diset.ses., llcv'.
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no rcsist:....-~ce, ;_nd DlliLll c.ilr.:wnts turn iut:> f.l€:riouo
lllne~s<:r. ~hough tlw udhe1·ence to I·Iua:i:m truiition might '
give them u :reelinc; of :L>ric:e, 1 t wi~l iml,t.ir t.heir .bealthr,
It lu:B been acid thr.. t i-1olmlmne_dun1SI'll is a "~sculine" . . '
.re;.igiQn, civing the t•roraan only th<..t importc..n~e- which is
:d~e to her <-.s the ve13sel nec_eseury to bring the ne..~t . '
j • ' I generation into the wo.cld. As· the potency of :ra.cn i.e . .
~·greater than the ~~pability Of \r~men to bear chil.dren, he
mcy h4ve ~four wi vcs ;_nd concubine a" _\'those· duty 1 t l.rill be - '
' ,-to bear him childrm.,. · !his utti tude bus developed a sex
IaOrale vrhi.ch io cqmpletely contrr.ire to .. l.h:. t of tl1e ·
1non og:.::.mous rae e c (j •
Here ~ccip.~ 'th'is attitude mie;ht hc.ve been justified.
I in e.n c:ge, und~:r circlllt!stc.nces col!IJ)lete .different to these ·
und~:r 1:ihich a: lklcy voillr,;.n of ·the C~C h:...t~ to live as J)t..rt
of t.n induatrial civilisutiOJl,\.;hich i2 bu5.lt on C!h:risiiun
p:rlnci:pleso ·
Al tll·)Ugb. a 1-lr~lizy J;U...n of toO.Ly, ll·vinc 1.n C[..l)e Tcwn
might not ht:·ve n.four wives Lnd qonc~bines:;" as he ccnnot
a!i'ord- i,tl) his ssx iuor~le \fill be pctternecl on the £:<.rue I·
.trrinciplcs;, A uoma.n exists for one pur~os.e only, G..nd
therefore ,;:.~no hss :.;._ :richt to :follOW" oneos instinctao ,He
' might .rrc.rry hc:t:: r:.cc. ording to l.~.uslim lai.Ff5 · • very l'"t..rely
will woi4en ot-:· the lavter Gocinl str:.:Ln of the H.slcy
communi·Ly be .1it;.,t'ri€.:d according to civil ll ,; as well -
· but na. ~n .w.ay divorce his \'rife, but a women .uuy never ' \ '
divorce hor huffbt:nd o a
'lilis principle i.l.3 V'9ry hurd on the ~ljiDW."'l of the
:r.wenti eth c~nturJC, living ~.ri thin c:)ll inti us trial ci vili a£-.. :Li .::>n-
As t', 1:eoult oi· thil:3 b~oic c.:tti tude of men to d , w~r a
-women. the l.;ulrcy- \#om;:Jl '"orldne in a :rectory.- t.bL.t 1 s~- a
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womc:n of l~Y.:T- soci ~1 st nL.inc, ~-rill h~ ve ~ very h-..rd li:fe. <·.
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She lu:.s bo&JJ. tr;..i~~d :f'ro.m eLrly childhood ih~ t she is ·
inferior t.v n".C.n rJid lu s to aubm:i t to hi a \li shes .•
A 1r.cn t·.ri 11 lllLrl.':f ·her e::ec ordi:nc to Uuali!:l £ ">l. ::;he .
' will ht:ve ~.~ chi ;tel by him, r..;hich in ·the eyes of .civil 1:. w
is illee~- tU,.tt:.te,~. Aft.er some time the· .t.nan might get
·attracted. utf ~.nother "~om:m, <. nd, us he cannot a:f'forcl to
keep two ·.rives,- will le ::. ve· her to foll~tJ .r.ais i!Jll>ulae.lO
Ueither.- he., nor· the vo~ concerned ·..rill vic·.u ·~,.lJ;i~ .
beha:vi ::mr e.o immor.:.l<> ·It io hio right6 If' he cw ~.:fl. ord
it, he i.!ilJ. give'hiei first vife aor;.e :fint'.nCiLl help tou.:_rt~s·
btingine; up the-ir. child., Ao ·u rule the \•rife will go b:;..ck I '
ta her funily. Very often thf'} l.l.C.n ·will nJt contribut.e
t~JTard.s tne child o e upkeep.·
' . the civil. com·t ~·nd clr~i:m the richt to <..lim::myo I •
To p;rotect the l:iOL.L:...n, ,,1hO hL6 been c:: ueht in u. net,
knotted bv the clLsh of tuo different cuJ.tures, civi 1 lwJ" .J,
recogniae£> f he common la• . .J Vif'e n the ':IO~.D t-tho b.Le~ liVN~
\-Ti th a m:..l'l ii "L!lout · beinc ler;cl-4' mt.rri ed to him oo • 110~
allo~TD her t·) sue the l:.!r..n f'or .:...limony .. ' I
-o·url.·oundinro- of the 11n_on-sur:port officeo n
l~u.al.im tl:.entali ty tnd its ill'll>rint on fu~tory life •
C.Ll'l be U.OteCt in tu .. ny instr. nceSc
A tlom<..n gt ve noticeo · She ht.d been \·ri th the firt.. f'or nlcUly ye:...rs L nc1 w·aa .: n· excellent workel"~ I :.::.sked her \thy she <JWited to :C t..ve, t..nd tried to .J;C~.:·flm:.de her to at-. y on. Jti'ter several chatz, .:...na t'- v.j oi t to her hohe, ·a st.all room in "tihich she liv~d ·~:ri th her t;~·lO cr:ildren 1 the stcil.~y ~'/<:B yicced tocether •
She hc.c~ been .rtU:.rried t.cco:rd:t:r ... f:, to :.~usl.im lt.u ten years, but her hus1x na hc.d never -11 vcd perm.: nently .with .her. lle hall nn.:>thel· wif'e t.lld ' Lever< 1 children, \·lith ·.;hom ho lived in s. s:uu;;.ll h':mi:e.., !t \1LS not (Ui tc cle::.r f'rom the' story · whether it 'VJD.S a question of pol.ioy or Just h ·m.Gine 'Shortc.ge which h::..d kept t:V,c ti:TO fami11.es vi th one, her.d ncpc:rc.- tedr, -
'~e-ver
'
.• ~ ..... ...a-_:-·""':!·--·
'.w'llLtever the cc..oe wul:i, the -.1omc:...n I intervi~cd th~ught it quite n~tural ~nd did n~t feel slighted, ih~t her husbLnd on~y cume to visit her occt.ssionc.lly. H~ pc.id her rent, and supported her children. liO'Il the othe::- wife· wt.:..o very sick. und ~ould be ill for so~e timoo Doctor~e billa h~d to be met, household and c:llildren were neglected.: 'lhe husbr..nd felt the economic burde.r1 of running two households, c...nd the inconve.nience of. c.n unkept houseo . .
~
He therefore nuggeoted thLt his •roam wife• ahouJ.~l give up her job l:.lld her room, UlG Join the fudly circle. By th::.t .move he wouli s<..ve rent, and ac~uirc a ho~sekecrer who would c~re for all the cluldren end the sick wifeo ~oth ~amen were a.greenble to . the Sug[:esti on,, :...ud acceiJted 1 t o.s tL!l only right thing to be done under the ci:rcUlllSt<.ncuj. The factory lost a good worker, but .dohcl.ll\ledunism £.Dd" 1 ts pr£.ctice ::>f ,;olygc..my proved to be eminent:~:.r sui tc..ble to solve a domestic problemo
10. ....,n-_.<!-__ ,.r_G_I_$_· _. _,JU_ •• n_· ....J)_U_C_.".._T.__l -!Ls •
It io very difficult to ovcrcouc the fatalistic
c.tti tude of the l:ualim tcM'L.rds infectious di eeases, u..; 'Wr.t I
Shawn in the buttle L,g~inst tuberculosis~ !.no thor
continuous bo.ttle ·ht..e to be i.lt..ged to educl:.:.te the I;Lluy to
the './estern conception of hygiene and clec.nliness. The
Coloured \>lorker in the fa.ctory ~ntL.ine th~ t tho lialays
ere "dirty", Uld this att.i t'O.de towc.rds cc..ctain :Ucy f
customs cn.uses conotant :f'1:iction between ·the two sections.
The lluslim lc.\1 lays dCNn very de:fini te rules t:..e to
' the m:...nner 'and method.of ablutions, which &l.l hr..ve religiuue
eignifigc.nc'l. ~eoe lc.~;rs are _particulcrly strict for
women •. ond concernine uomen, c.s they ere ckeeed c..e t<unclc~
&t-cert~n periods of their lifeu . ;
Ueetern idet..s of clee.nliness, many of these e.bluti one, whicll
ht~ve. to be ·performed in u certc.in ll1t..nller to cert'uin prayers,
have more lzylllbolic than hygienic va.l:ue.,
Dut not only thut, CU@tr~B which might ht..ve been most
sui tt..blo c..nd effective in their tiLle, brought into the
' cloakroom of c·modern ftctor.Y. ceuse havoc wi·th its
plumbing system ~d rQsults in unpleLstntness cna· '
misunderst~ndings between the ~Ao rc~igious groupso
/Smull \
•
II o
community cf th~f: typeo J.nythiug that ,is dif':ferent to
onecs own cust~s is usually regarded as inferior~
1herefore thiz; question of cleanliness, b:_eecl on a
funda.nlent<-,,1 difference o:f two cultureo, in one of the main
stumbling-block$ towards the understanding and reopecting
of the otJler religiotis group.
The Ha'lay a~lowe l1im.aelf to be educ:.:.ted up to a poi.nt
where no religious principles are involved~ · As am ex<unpl~:
/
'.i".ne workers nre frequently shO\al :films on hygiene and healtho Most successful a~e the film.s with a clear i.md simple :message pictured in ~using·fashiono ~ere is, ,for instance, the story bf the dirty P~d the clean family as told by Walt Disney in colourful animated dr.:.tdngs" · ·· · (
I
. The di1·ty family, \irho never wat3l:l, t~pi t on the floor c:nd never clean t:c.'eir houseJ whose members· itre constantly ·ill c:.nd get poorer <illd more dejected looking by ~he minute, in contrast to th.eir clean neighbourslol who .hu.ve clenn lla.bi ts un4 scrub ~nd ~alish all the time, getting bigger and stronger and more prosperouso
:liter the ah0\1 one of our . elderly 1-:f.alay womeri ccn:e ·to me and st.id tht.t from now on, .2he would see thn.t he~ .11 ttle gr:~ndchild Pati!.!la., who was living \d th ·her, would ol,.luya \vush her hands before having a- mealo \'im.lld tht::.t IrJ£.ke her grO'!:T?
. · 0It would definitely help to keep her well,." I o.seured her diplomaticcllyo /
lillL! GI ON AliD CUST011S: or.L.....,_...-ac a ~IJ ' .
~ice a year neQrly all the !~lay men and some of the women COI:le late to work~. ~en we .knovT thc... t a ship with
pilgri~s to Uecca is either leaving C~pe, TOW'n, or pilgrima:
are returning from l:!eccs.Q
The ultil!.l.Cte aim in the li:fe of every Halay ia to ..... ~
-make this :Pilgrimage to l!eeca., to become at Hadji~ the moat. ~-..-..~
honoured member. o:f' the. Ho.la.y communi tyo Today approximately
j · £600 .ifl neecled. to m..'lke this journeyo . '
ru~ money is saved
aver y~are, o:rten u.t the cost of the health of the i.!llole
family, b)t eating t-oo little; t-Torking too hard and.~iving I
• . /in
I
.1 I
in overcrowded hc..meso /
But \1/hen one of the fLo ~ory .11orkers comes back i'roru '-
1Iecca;· !i.e l-.rtll visit the f:-:ctory in his pileriln r s elothesv.
a lovely, plue. sill E;Oi'lll 1 a ~-.~hi te plea. tee: cillc Q.birt, o:
colour.fz.:;l tu:rbE.n around }?.io head.,
and whoe,ver ca.r1, Coloured ~:nd Jfluropea..."'l ~~like, will c:rowd
eround the :figure \t~ho ae-ema to ht::ve stem:>~d ou.t of "A ·
~ov.sand t· nd One l~ight so "
'llle EJcme mt:l'! ~!11-co~l!.e to work the f.Jllmdll€; day,
ei tting at the 'mo..chine in shirt .sleeves and one ca:rl. l:ardly
·believe it iS' the snm.e 1=-~rson1.1
break, he will most probably come to the :E1eruonn(.ll C;f.ficer . I
to ask for a. loan·, to tide him. over until h.o g~ts hie wage
envelo.Pe at the end of l;l..ts first working weeko. He will . '- .___... -' .
most posaibq bave S];lent every penny _he ever poflaeased .. ' ..
~ ....... ......-..,.... ....... . '
, He \-rill be behind in his rent, and Peroonal. Tax will h&ve
.- accumulated to en impo~ing :fin~. ' The fairytc.le figure is truns:fo.rmed into a poverty-
' \ stricken industrial worker ~ o o
~e mo~~ striking mt<.ll'4Ple of th~ p&~~llel cul ture.o
being infused into one pereon, llaving to uccept t'l.'i'O wayR
« ~iving, tllil:lldng and feeling, is the ft'.ctory \..rorker, \ I
who vhile. learning haN to uoe .~ electric cutting mcc~~ne,
hus ul~o been trained to prove his Faith in .Allcll ~ ' .
submitting hinm.elf to incredibk :physical hurdsh.\pf?o
The worker who l:rill make a grct.:.t :fuss· when he
ecrt"'. tches hi 6 fingEil"' with n: needJ.e v w:7.11. 'the same night . . .. . - '
with the greutest noncbLl&Qce stick skew~xs through his
cheeks, haimne~ .his ann with razorsharp sabl''-r:, and swnl~ow
gla..v-ing ecials. 'J ·That is, if he has been trt..inco. from 'ft--._,,
early childhood. to be a disciple. of a lUlalt:t\~
It ia tjle most shattering ElXperience to :find •Abduilah", t:rho punches his clockcard with
..
..
/
.... src.r..tes{ r~gulnri ty L.t 8 aomc> every dE:y, vhobellc.ves end loo)ts like any industrit..l worker unywhqr e in the W' or ld, ;;ib.o i s ~ member of'. e. trt.de ·union, and collects :his weekly \tage envelope, performing fcr.ts- of physical endur~ce •of an oveningr.• _
One d~y Abdullah c~e to me ::nd invited me to attend c. •Ialali:ra• hi a group was giving to cr1 ·European cudience in order to r'--i ee funds for [...11. cmliule.ncc for his Sto John ~s detachment.
~ I hcd seen Abdullc.h on severo.l occasi one in hi13 smart Sto John's uni:formo I h..-ui seen him c..~nioteri-ng l!'irst Aid in a. most e:ffective
. manner" coriversf:nt with end adhering to a.ll principles of modern medi,cine ~ He lmd helJ?ed me to convince his fellow Huslima tht.t contageoue diseases should be fought, and not lett to the will o:f' Allah aloncv I hud a.ccep·\.ed him aa an •enlightened" Huslim, whoae life was dioteted by the same rational leva, as I believed ~no to ~e dictated byo·
~e gre~ter was the shock, when -this same Abdullt~ b£red bis cheat on a lighteq· otcge, ~na ow~rin~ to tho rhytlml o:f beating druma, t.n4 the ehe.nting of. prayers hit his body ~nd o.rLlS with thin-edged ·swords, all011ed skewers to be stuck through his Cheeks, .and thus'horribly scucified Walk off the Dtr.ge, to present himself to the &Jldience ~o prove tiLt no tric;ke \l(Cl:o involved.
· He was not even under a tr~nce., very proud· ~d erect he \mlled through the gaping. and ncc.:..rly fainting t1udiw:ceu A:fter the skewers were romovedt he. cn.me down t.[•ain, c.Uld h~ld out his axma, his cheeks far inspection. No blooci t.·n ... s. d1.·o..w-n, only pin. points showed Oil hiS cheekD where tho fairly wide bl~des had 2_;enetratedo
. •iiaw can you stand 1 t, ·Abdullah, • I g~sped.
. . ayou must 1m ve lh.i th ~d think only of Allah,
and nothing vill hup.LJen to you •, he aooured me \lith sincere s~licity{,
He told me then, that at one of the , performunces.wbicb the.y cava occ~sional~ for charity bad .rno't conccntrr tecl on: prayer, but waa filled with·~~nity ~t bei~G ir front of a larue c.udienceo Hi.e body control " to tr<...nslu.te the happenins into •European • tex-nm • deserted him0 he severed his wrist when hi t·ting :it with the
.sword and before help could come, hu h~d bled to death• ·
• llind over matter " ;philO.&ophers crguo 'the point, ~icel s.cienc.le c~utiouoly conoidera i t.a
. l.iinite'd J;>ODSibil.jtiee I'_ .. n the C:.!pe· I~o.y. lives 1 1 t, p-ro.,es 1 t, thkeo 1 t fo1· gxoanted and hardl.y
thinks 't".r1cC: c..bout 1 t~
With new reverence :r watched Abdullah atwork the following day~ nut be vas Just, us e..l.w~ye, a. slightly grubby, , 'lulky :fu.ct·ory worker,
'.
/who
I . l
l I
wh? had obviously h2d a late ni~~t. Still, th~D expe1•ience gave IJ.e 1:ly :first inkling af Uficte:rst-.· ndint:: this otrc.nge mixture v:f humility .:1n.d l)ride o:..1e .feels in the beh2.vi 6ur of a Halay tO<.·rr~rds the European, end the attitude of JJup_c-rior1.ty the J.lc.lay wo.cker often clisplo.ys tm<tt rds his Coloured fellow-worker, in' spite of his obvious educctional inferiority0
\·ihen 1o.:~k1ne across the :f<:".ctory :floor, one can pick
out the Uc..lc.y i:to:rker at d. glance. \ f
7h.:>ugh · th~ 1ialay \lo!ll<.i.L I . - f \
or girr will t..rea.r Europecn .clothes at. t·mrk," she will
always have her ~>ir.coverad by· a do~ or wear a yeshmEk,
which, like a visor, is pushed da.vn while. woxldng <md
pulled up. to cover the mouth, \'I hen going outo ~ese
' yashrn..:.J.rs are in all colours of delicc.;.te ID.<.:terial c.nd give
a s:plri.sh of li.fe to otherw-i ne dreary sur.rounding~h
red c.nd ble;1ck :fez o£ the i.a.an cO!f1plete .the pictureo I
In spite of ~aciul intermixture over ~euerations, the
Ualay: i.Tomcm c ... nd girl( is of a much mpre slender build thul
the nverage ColDured girlo ·,r.,arge bluck eye~, almond
shaped, high cheekbones~> l,.ight ivory 2fin colouz:; :f'1ne1y
chiselled bon.e structure is ·often to be :f'ound among them.,
wrdch gives their faces u dignity end repose ~nich eeems
incQngort:.O~S in the surrounding.s of electric liU.ChillefJ e..nd
conveyor beltso
~e young Hn.lay girl seems· more conrsc1ous of her
s.~pe:..:.rLnce, 't-Fi th stress on. :fernini ty, them her~ Coloured
oontemporr:-.. ry ''·
best nylon stockings c...nd trip c.round on most _daln"ty, but
impr<...cti c;:.~ h'l.g;b: ·heeled shoes l'
. very ra1·el;Y use Ill<:.:.ke-up t:1..t • \·rork, c...nd will. usually weer
•'sensible" low-heeled shoes0
•.
I
'.Lhe l1.:.._lc.y \-romsn lurdly :p:rticipc..'~cs in the eocial
llf'e of the :ft .. ctory.. Jier religion does not Lllour her to
-do soo . She will be c.· passive onlooker ct all functions.
\
/.Uot
· /understcnC. ' i;-
·'',
II
liot one girl is c. r.1.e.r:.1ber o:f the notbc.ll teem; the Hed
Cross .De"Lacl".u.1ent,, S11e 'l.vill n.ot u .. tt~nd a ::~,.ctory d<.tnce,
though ,the ::c;tuy men \>rill .z.r;pe·cr in full :force, leaving
their wive'f3 ~-.t homeo At. tea breaks :>r l.unch time. the . ' young Halny e,:.:.rls '\'Til:l sll.al.~e one t~1.ble , the older wotlen
another, irrespective of tho sccti (\r.,s in .. -r!rl.ch they ·v1or.k,
or their soci'al bc..ckf;rotmd.·
T.he Coloured vromci '1.-J'ill only mix with her 11 Cltt(:S"
of whatevel' <-~ee, end usue:iiy onl.y kl1we f.:nd 'be fri-endly
with 1-rorkern of the .section in which eho happens to be ,
working"· fJ.:hon.gh there ie no f.wtive ex:ores::don of social
life 2IIlO:rt4; thr: Hrrlay women0 there is <iefini tely a. greu.ter
solidc.ri ty r.mone them, thEm D.l!long ·the Coloured section of
the comm.unlty.
To bt:1 ~:'Lle to really .Ull<ie!·etsnd the utti tude of these
two grou.vn to-.vards the other, c.:.nd t'.mong tb.lillllselves in· thei: . . ,
daily life ~t workg· one h~s to follow th~ to their homes. . '
One lu:u3 to see th~ 'll!?mUD. '-'!Orker eguinet the b~.ckground of
her fd!lily circle, to be al1le to find out whLt influences
h::.:.ve been r::hc.ping her e.nd in \vh::~t \'lay they find their I
expres~ion tfi thin the factory communi tyc
At this stage I ·would like c.:.gain to stress the point
thut women more .t-hc:n nicn are fe..mily~,bou..nd., the focus o;'
their li:f'e reots vrithin the :t"amilyo ~e community life
ot' a :factory, v.rhich consist :muinly o:f vom.en i.vorkers ia
not really <iiotated by t:ll.ese '"omen e.lone, but each. ..:nd . -everyone of them is an e:x:pressiqn of her fND-ily life_,
She CoJ.J:ri es the bu:t"den or the ple::!.sure of . h~r home · •
life t'li th her, ;.:nd can never sepc.rate herse.lf' :from 1 t-o
~e man, being toti.th a :fa.:mily of hi o mm, or s:ti.ll
put of the vo.rentul home, \vill. oe in.f'l.uenced by his
background, b'Ut at "Y!ork he will be c:..n cnti ty in him.selfo
~et\l'o:me:n 1 s entity ic not the "!• but the "us"« To ..
/tmderstcnC.
. !
I . I
') 69 ""
·understand her life., her a.ttitude at v10rk one must see • #
her at hom~o the only su:rrounding vhich is "natural". to -
hero
•
\
\
•
PICTORIAL REPRESENTATION OF SOCIAL CLASSES AMONGST THE COLOURED AND MALAY GROUPS WITHIN THE FACTORY COMMUNITY
, symbols represent:
i UPPER-CLASS 1f11 . Coloured
i MIDDLE-CLASS ~- ·Coloured· ·
'! LOWER-CLASS 1fi1 Coloured
i Lowe~LOWER-CLASS il Coloured
l GENERAL C~A&S 1,..1 Coloured
f MIDDLE-CLASS ~ Malay
f LOWER-CLASS 4P. Malay
f Lower-LOWER·CLASS
4 Malay
f GENERAL CLASS ~ Malay '
in each case the· number of workers in the Malay group has been multiplied by 2i to bring it up to the same denominator of coloured workers.
. I THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOCIAL CLASSES ~ WITHIN THE FACTORY COMMUNITY
THE COlOURED GROUP THE MALAY GIIOuP
iii iii iiiiii.
UPPER·CLASS
J -·
~~~~~~ !U!!! ~~~~~~ !!!!!!
. : ~~~~~~ Middl~- Class !!!! ~~~~~~ ~~
~~~~~~ !!!!t!! ~~~~~~ . !!!!!!
' '
I
~ Lower-Class !!t!!!!
!!!!!! !!!!!
I . Lower !!!U4 Lower-Clan
~. • 3 workers ~ • 3 workers
'
' ' ! I I . I
'
AGE
15-20
• • SOCIAL CLASS AND AGE GROUP ~~OJ
, TH£ COLOUII£0 GIIOUP · THE MALAY GROUP
iii UPPER-CLASS
.
~i~~~ !!!!! ~~~~i~ Mlddle-Ciaas
'
M .....__
~~~~~~ 4!~U4 Lower-CIOSI
1! . . .
' Lower 4!! Lower-Class
a . 2 workers . ~ • 2 workers
I .
AGE GROUP AND SOCIAL CLASS . · ~~ b
TH£ COlOUAED GAOUP TH£ MALAY GPOUP
AGE
iii iii UPPEA
ii
CLASS
21-30
~~~~~~ . !!!!!! ~~~~~~ Middle· !!!!!!
Class
~~·~~~~ !!! ~~~~
~~~~~~ !!!!!! ~~.~~~~ !~!!!!
Lower·
Class
~!!~!! !!!!~! !
Lower !!!! Lower Class
8 • 2 workn& .l • 2 work~rs
• •
AGE GROUP AND SOCIAL CLASS ~~ c
TN£ COlOUII£0 GPOUP THE MALAY GAOUP
AGE
31-40 I iiii 1-"'"~ I I I~~~ I Ml~,.-co ... , !!!! I . ~~
Lower-Class !U~~! !~
'
. . -
.I ,~::, ... , ••• I ·I ' - . ·-'
41-50 1 iii 1-"'"~ I I
I ~~ I MI~I.-CO ... , I
I ·1 Low..-Cio.,, !!!!! I
I I ,~.::, ... 1 • I
8 • 2 workus .t . 2 workus
-' -;.; . . -,_~ ~·
I
I . I
' I I I I
I . . I
•••
. MARITAL STATUS OF WOMEN 'WORKERS~ II THE COlOURED GROUP THE MALAY GROUP
8~~0~8 single ~-~t~t~. 888080 a~~t~~ 08~08.~ . t
. 888
I eo lmarncd I tttt I 888 · divorced ~t~ttt separated
widowed
~~
0 • 6 workers t • 6 workers
' I
• I
AGE
15-20
21-30
31-40
41:--50
AGE-GROUP AND LITERACY THE MALAY GROUP illit~rrot~r
I ttttt ·I 1 tt I
. tttttt ttttt .tttt~t
I ttt I I ttt I I I Itt I ACTUAL NUMBER OF WORKERS: 64
t ,. 2 workers
THE COLOURED GROUP
ACTUAL NUMBER OF WORKERS: 156
there is no illiteracy in this group
+··· .... ·>H- ____ """".,.._!lllllllli!III!_IIJIIIIII __ ..., ______ ~~---1,..'"""''""""'""'PIOIIU4_~;~-:
PART II.
.:tll. AT POME.
The Colou;ted \~01:1a.n at Home ..
1. Soci:;'~J. C1~~n fl.nc. 1 t.s oef1nt tio:n 0 • • • • 0 ~ ~ • ~ l) ., • •.
2. ~.h)cia.l Cl~.ns ...and ResH.i.ential Area • •.• ••••• ~ • 0 • 0
Scciel Oltl(;S anf.l Pr~·st:t~e .............. o'. 9 .... I ••.
. . . ~ ~ . . . ~ . . . ~ . ~ ~ . -. . . . b) Cler::.::~11ness • 4 • - • • • ~ • • • • • • • • • • • • ~ • • • ~ • • • ~ • •
• 8 •••••••••••••• -. ~ ••• ~ ••••••• ~ ~ ~ .-~
4. BIOGRAPHIJ~D : •t'l'h6 ideR.l Far,lily! :-t
CC11l.!)O~ 1 te pictures •••.• • ....... .
'( 1 ~ l '
r:"':•an o is • c • • ~ • • • • • • •
I
(:11) Al1cr: . . # • • • • ~ • 0 • • • •
I
'10
'12
77
78
80
81
81
64
(111) Ann . . I.Ud.dle Class :- l·lell-t,o.-do ••••• · 87
(.11") Hf'l.t;~ii::~ . • (v). ·ftOSG . ,.
(vi) G-eneral:
.(vii) r;arj.e :
(v111) ,• . Doroth.y;
(ix) ~llen • .
{ .... ' t...'l.j
~iddle Claes : poor
r-:1cld1e Cle.se • I' • • r • t
~ifc of a yoUl13 mP-r.>I'1.0cl ":om.~Xl .••
l.ot·lcr class : !JOor hor:e .• ., -t .....
I~wer ~1ddla Olaea ~ • • • • • • ~ r • •
. ... ~ ....
• • • ~ • • • • • • • • • • • • • t •
...................... <·•··· ·········•·~:• ... 4, ........... .
90
93
94
97
98
99
100
101
104
108
t
I.
dL:;tric-'c.s in wh:teh
SGCIAl. CLASS AND RESIDT!."NTIAL A.tt:A • ...... - ·- ....
como~ noting not. cnly the d1st:r!~ts 'from. wh.;. iJ. they caffi€· 0 f
but r:.~.lso the n~r nr Coloured :md Na.tay li vins in each
greater numbers.
ho~cs on different. ;J~-s of t..w t'le,ek, o.:c.d. a..t ell }lours of the
day and aver.d.ng, Gl.d. I gradually r~allse the ni::fer-ence in
:Ltttosp.h:~re ·1n 't!' ... ese di:!"i'el"'eJ.J.t din"tr-icta; not 0n.ly 1n differ~
district ..
'!}roporti.ons~ a...l'ld the!1 83flln areas where there are mainly
But not. only t.hat~ it Wa3 s,oon :n<)ticea.b:!..G that 'thera
are definitely poor class• cmd better class a.reaa, a.nd. that
wl1 ore t.here is a .i1ixd po:pul.tt.:ton o.f Oolom."'ed. and. ?'falay, · the
the str.:•(:tt in already an J.nc11ee.t1on as tc thE1 social class
Dlatr:ict iJ1;r.0 au ao.dress w1·c:·. a. st.iQ:ta. at·~~:tched to 1 t
~h:t>ough nmmpa.por rcports of v1olel~C8 a..ncl auclde!l death~· '11-till
nt;}ver be na.ined 1ihus by its· inhal:J1 tru ... ts... A -r;crirel~ living
in/ .•.....•• '
I·
··1.:5-
~f. ,...,. .. ~ ..... 1. "t -l~ J .. ~_) l.-~ .. ....... t
' t ... - , . . -~'*"' ._...... ~-~· '.L .-· •• ., .• ..., '"•""(( "]!":"'"" V#"" .. --u-; ... •':-:.. .--:At.J..t~c-.; .. J . .cc\.j, ... r: .. Lc.;J. .J.Sk~d l/~101'""6
I
B !J.e 1.1 ve~: ~f~ I 'l:l wre 1:; Oa.~!0 '1'0)":111- ,,
)
J t~..,~ r~i "!'1~ ·~'-~·'*- ".~u
-n. --•.-, -\ VH~· 4. ,._l.>"""..: ........... l u CH - .. 1'..,, ... -t.,.. ........ }!ill u::1 1~[i,=J oth~r 31d:e. ·Of 'l10WTI:r a.x·e I
<?.l·.t~ead-;; cutsid.e tho c.
oc:r~t.re ,, _-:: ·t.he City.
tt "'P.be To•·m" • ~...:__.._;.. #I <I District 81~ - narro~( street£, ro\1S and
i'o~·iS of: d.1lo.-1dated scn1-d<:tached houses·~ \iit!:. o..n occasion-
al doublc-.,.storaycd: houso. · ro front ga.I~ctena ~ no y~rds . ., \Ja..shins hung across the et.reet~, fJ.u.tterir.;; .out. of ·H1~dous,
even sometimes lying on t.hs pavemento
\~omen il'l OOOM·ray£.:' reedl:ns the1r, ba.bles, c'·!atting to each
other, child.rE<n si tti:ng~ st.and.ii.Je;, p1ayir..g every1-1here., _
Hardly any men abouto Only in Hanover St .. re0t, 'Where there
·in doo:M'>'ays, jumnin.3 b~cs fo_;:~ a ttrre:.e ride".
cornor.s. ' '
looltinr; rounfi.
saturday is Zt1tcp:-;>1ns day.
- ,·
Thera are haril:
\
~i!he ,cont.ents of .f.Ticay 'o
traga envelope h~va t~.-, he d~.zposed o? ~>
avoiO..i.ng hitt:tns pedestrians, who 1ne1et. on exchangitlg_
pr~longed greetll1f5Z in tl1~ !nid.ule of t.h-e :r'·;)=.d(' A motor
ist 'a nigh t:r.lu.re ccmo to lii'e • • •
Sunday is d.if:f'ere11t .. In spite vi' the ulrty- streets,
the ,ennbby houses, there 1e an a.ir of fe~tivity. !tomen
and chil.d.ren '·n theil" sunday bestJ 1-1itll hats and handba.~B
£50 to church. '.':1e.'l':. sit in the sun aga.ins~ the \·rall, read ....
l11l; a :ne\'lspape:r. taJ.k1ne. I
• Cape/ o :. ,, • ~.
I
I ,
c!
!tr·· ·-··\e ,JC..j- -
J '
r·a.ther· nr:J,ke. a d.etou:r·. t!JS:n pas~ thrcu.:.-:;h one of thE> .streets,
:Sut ju:lt a couple of minutes -ri~lZ:, p.:J.st Ha.:no~t.:;l:r· Street,
changed again.
This '::'ar-t, \valrr.6r :Lstate, has .nea.t little houseu 'tvi t'h front
pectaD111ty1 the stoep '.'lith its cmngerotJ.ely polishad red.
atone floor- .. The m.cunta:i..n is at the bac!t, the harbour to
its feat.,
lTa.ahi\1'1-,S .dluplays 1tn ruggotl. condition, yery fe..,,.l cl:ilc1J."'ar~ are
play ins · ln the e t.l"eet. Life· is be1~~ lived !ndoo~a,· a dlg-
Thsr.EI is a sprinkling of
~·!a.lays, t.tnd a @ .. eat n:umbsr o'! :J:uropea.'!".1.S llvin.3 in ·~:H):.H3 r.arts.
:uburbs. Going s:;;.raight dmm the hill from ;:almer
Bsta.te, you co:ne dotorlJ to Sir Lov1r-y doa,d, ·:-o:hich cha1~goa . . .
na-::e into \7ictoria t\.oad late;:• on, and is the ~t.r-aight r.rai:n
southern subur-bs in half,. lcav1r...g C3.pe 'i.'cw:n 'behi11d, cl~oGaing
ths Ca:~:e Flats. m1d :falling into th~ sea some\•fhex·e past . Simons town •
.Alon::; t.he i4e.in Road, just. ·oelcl'r \;almcr Zotate~ t .. hera is
\'lood.atock; and. you corae to Salt. Rive::."~ Obse:::::">Va:tury:t through . \
A.l:... along
this line to the lt;;f.·t, tm~ta.rds a:ntl pn.st th~..> rail\tay line;)
the Colom•ed popu::t:1tion 11 ves, il1term1:xed with Eur·opeans,
~· -- ............ m +J~ "" ~v uvr· . J w J.¥
-?5-
:1ore ''nltr-:'1y1' the area_ tt.e ;,ore :Jouth, tL.o .better t~1e
cln.ao. :.lr:.l.r.ch1~ off the 'ain Head l.,car town is tho J L'l"ler
.. D.1n aoad, branch1~ off aso.in. into voortirdkkor '1oad, past
: ·a1 tle.:r.d 1Lto tho buil t-u1) Cane Flat a aroa.
· .. oodstoclc a.nd :Jn.lt liver are the shoppiris centres of ·
tr..o uor~:lr.·; pol)ulation:- "rho =.:!.rO bunched to:;ethur in factories . alon~ tho road, and ~lao a residential area or mixed ~oups.
r·oar the ra1hra.y line in ;Joodstock; there are streets
which o.ro uorsa tllo.n soma of the ovorcrol'rdod atroota or 711atr1ct Six.
Then e.ca1n there aro streets with ro\'rs and. ro\'TB of
aon1-'"~otachcd houses, \'11th s::Jall - very ar1all - front c:ardens,
lrhore tho rcspocta.blo Cclo,trad rtiddlc class live e.nd CJ.ultt'
a nun1Jor of .:.'Uropoa.ns. Tho i'urther South you sc alone; ·~ha ......
nain ro:'.d., tho fo\Jer Coloured. far:1111oa, and tl'lo nora r:uroparu-.~..
how9S ere to be found.o
'.,ynborJ is rather a str:an~e suburb. To tho lvft of
t:1o : ·ain '1oa.d arc tho homes of oany Coloured. fa.nilics of ~ceO.
class houses at!l.nd1n:i in a piece r.-t ::;round, wollokept, t-;1 th
:c'lo~:ei'<·f11led front cardona, a.r.. atnoeuhere of a good oiddla
cla!Ja, stable co:-1r:1un1ty. To the ric-)lt of .the 7~a.1n !-too.d, u~
the ':lounta.1n, touards Conntantia thoro are tho stately hones
of tha vory elite of the :...uropean population, intem1n;3).ed .
1·;1 th o~u.\clts of poor class Coloured hortes. nut theao ehao~ca
sta.ntl -proud.ly in n pi ceo of ground, "Jnlivened by :towla, docs~
v..r:d cats, l'Ihlch c;1ve the wholu area a countryf1od air.
ca.T'e Flats : ~~lite different o.c;ain is it w:.:.en ~cu tu'!'n
ar..a.rply fro~ tho ; ·o.ln :toad a.t Y·~O\'Tbray and ~ct into tho Capo
elo.ts, to I snadol:mc, Athlone, Cralffordo In the nidat of
sana dunos, .residential areas have apruns up. n.m1c1pa.T
. 1:wusin:"3 ec1tc~res have buoone reality in some ·parts, and blocks I •
of fl~te e.ro folloiwd py rol'rs and ro\:s or se~i-d0tached
houses/ o·o 0 c. 0
.-
I.
houses, nol'!lu alorj_s nacadar11eed _.roaO.s, others ::~.lor.~ lt'.!~cs.
'ill houa os hcvc a fresh c:i.eru~ loolt about tl:..~~.!. rnoy n.re -
saT'ara.teC frcn the ro.ad by little. he1.r;es ana. l.Jy '!:'10\·ICr bods.
' parts of this vary b1~ area hn.ve a. ccBnanion..1.rlo
There is a feol1DG of anaco, roaos aro wido, l
the houses not too clcse to3ether, but clos~ enou:,h tv ta.:.:c
e. f_ria-nclly 1ntorest in one's nolc:;huours. en ·aunor ovenin35,
vhon t:H~ 11,..,ht only fac.es after ei:--)lt at ni.~ht, o.;:,,. it has
beco:1e plee..sant B,!ld. cool:- the atrcota bcco:.1o pro: 101:.s.des \•:hero
t~13 youthn l'ttmder u:ry and dotm, atill unrer parental auoor-
vision frqo tho l'til'.dO'\'Io
~.,1,e:re the noise of rad1Qll of ;;t'a.:lonhon~ nusic cones
out fi>o:::z ovary house ana pin.::;los -ploasantly \i~ th tho c:':.a.tter
of htr:m.n voices. Brm·m e~ri~od, e.ttrectively C:.roseuQ. r;irlso
cleanly scrubbed boys - it aorlchcl'r l.ta.a the ~t:lOA!)hvro of an
Italian villar;e. It is far :rroa C~pe Tot;n, buo O.tJ.tl train f ·service is bad, tl:.ore.foro th9BO ttre''.S haC. to U.av~lop i11to
little eolf .. ~ontained co:munities, ul1arc on.:: :,oca out ~o earn
on.?·0 o ltv1u':, "ou.t soel~a one's !)leS'.B'..lres at homo.
·'F..· :1 n1ctm'e is not so ideal 111 uintor,· dtirln:: t~ o ~·a1n,~
seasc~~.' \·rhen there is no oheltor o.ny1t:hore and th~ ee.:r;d cata
S0S~j, and you tw.va to .trek tan, tuenty ninutGs t!ll'ou:;h slush
and dirt to ~et 'to tho nearest bus or train.
In these a.r~a.s t1to poorer o.nc midtlle clnosea· or t:1e
Coloured CO!'l.t:lunity 11"'!o, w1th small poc:r.Jts o? -~alo.J com.--:ttm-
1t1os, clustorod around. a. r·cnque, or l1v1nr; 1n tl"e tlats
of tho i':Unicipal bu11d1nss •
.. ls1ea ~u~rer, o.n-:.thor district in t!1c niclst o:r sand
C.unea, ie the homo oZ tl:e poorer Colcuped and r:"~.lays. Des ides
'tho ono : ·atn Roatl, a.ll othor atroeta are s troota 1n name only,
but '9-Ct~a.lly sand -paths, \'Ihcre you sink ankl~doop in sand
'!-Tbtm a:nnroachin~ any of tho sr:tall br1clt-bu11t houses, or
')·:·~~ ........... ~ .. -~-..... ~. " . ·->-· ..... »j«-- ") ..... ,. ' .•.. • ......................... ,.·-·• • • ~ .... .
·; ./ .
\
··77-
corrugo.tod iron SllaC::s ,,
cl:ilo.rer: are haup11y intemineltl:~ ~ ~- .'. · . ru: occasio11al cop.tD
,
OL-nilar to this area is ':13tr~·' · an~ of the out'!'Osts
in. t~'J.G. rla.ts, fron '\>:hi ch tho :?OPUlation floc:rs 1.nto
Hora too_, pmrs:rt~· · c."! co:oi.>urativo l'realth can
bo even chee!r to c,1eok exprcnga:" ~ ·ree.-th '1ob1nson contrap-
t1onn of aac~:in.:; and corrusc.tc-~ :_ ,, .,~ in "rhich human beinr;a
arc liv'inr; noxt to l·:ollubui:.~ .. "!' • ·-sized;.~ cleanly painted .
br1c~: houses. FO't-'ila do nc ~ ::tr~· ~-.-10 difference bet1:ccn mud-
:floors 1noide or outside o::' ~:, L : :.!ts and rather share the
crm·rded. apace under tho ?::l:::r' .. :·.1: the fa..u1ly. · If you happ_en
to be v1a1 till6 in tho neat~ "~~'!"'' :~- _ house ne~t door, you mie-'flt
lcolc U!) !'rO::l tllO CU!> Of t(l..-: ~. · • · n.ro drink1!10 decorousl~T in
t:to sf. t~tin3 room~ rtght ~-~-..: : ,, ~ oyes of o. oo'\'r, uho !)Uohes her
face} throU(3:1 tho \'r1ndm'1, ~:. - r~-5.01-r)a.te in the tea-party.
'.r'ao at!:los:phorc is- d1st1nc~.:.:- ,• country", in '\'rr.:.atavar ho~1a you
he.ppen t·o be.·
:lut in \tha.tevor area, n ,,;' ~,_tever hona.., one thin~ they
v.ll heve 'in ccr.mon~, be ~-t "'· ::·. :ll"Ollded roo1.:1 in tho uorst slum
clee.nlineos of the home. :! . ~··o love of flm;ora~ avon .t:•· -~ .....
is only e. ano.ll l:.\1.mch of i:.~~-:'- :J.' in a sla.ss, we~ed in ~:ot; ·
tho pr1mue stove a.nd the be·: 4.-
.;n.v1r.c ts.!-::cn a [5lanca e:~ -<:: .: d1ffqro1:t areas in which
Ca.;1e ·.:-m;n'a Coloured worker~ :;_ :·: ru~d t1iaoover7d tha.t!l in
r.rc:-:t, there doos exist a cortaiz:. _ ount of oo(31'•33Btion o:f
relisioua r;roups ancl social cla.s..is· :;: l-;oultl no:; 11lte to enter
th::-ir ho!:los i:r..- ardor to find out :,. ~ '';c·re is a difference in
"~he t-:~y of 11vincs a:;-.on3 the difi'or0·: ~.- :::oclo.l classes~ a
differen~e/o•o·~
(: .. - ~
\
St:!..ffly stQrc.hed. spotlessly_ cleE.n curtains \'lill compli.:te # .
the picture o:t 'a homQ# \'Jhd;r-e t~1e ntreea is lsid. not~ so much
021 co!:lfortfl a.!? on nearly Meptic cloanliness and prinneoa.
·.;lr;J t.his ne~..rly overst.it<3Ssir~r; of c1oanli11.ess!J this
lnsict.ence on impre,ct:lcal~ cx:oensive ·furniture, thia ·..,mste
:round/) "Vlh~m one r-e1:1smbers tho definition Biven for nsta."custt '
.by ·1.:c:r·ve:t•0 and. enlarges on 't.his d.efin:l tion by ad.dh].G -th0 I
iorm:: as atressed by ::ro~ iiebar,.
'iBy s.tatus we tean here tho social poat:tion whioc. determines fol' his pcas$s.sor., apart from his Por~o:nal atts"ibutes or social se.:rvico: {~ degl"eo of l~ospvct, pre.stigev influencoo"
uclaos as the corw'1l.un1ty of thooe who have as a. GI"cup the aa.me lot in ~if'e 0 or t.lw sa.me :!.ift1 ch.al1cesj) as determined typically by material possess ions~ r-a:t'!k or stat.1on, and cultm"a.l factors: n .
it aro v-ory limited, e.nd, have t9 fit into ~ t:'attez>n r:wulded . -
, :t·y ~·.'t1:-r:>ope:1:n lilsa.gea;. one w:tll rea.l:tsa:J that <?:ne o:t the t:E''i!
~ -:•i!J.ys 0olm;~reu families' can expl .. oss tho1r soeia.l atatunll in
hy··pcssessi.r.g" and displaying o:xpensi vc. i'l..U"nitur£-)., 'J~o :possess \ .
· ~. p:t~no~ a l"adiogJ?am~ a chesterfield.· sui to ie not a s.ic;n o:r - .
inane. t:<pend1l1;'3j but the outer expression cr t..hc socio.l Bte.nd.-
(b) Cleanliness .: The a-tress "on c1ear..llneaa, the
ne~rly ove!'t .zea1.ous- ·trashing, scrubbing anD. polishiilG · 't'Jhich '
.goes/~ .. .> o • • •
I'
~- ·~( ...
t:~o O.vubt,ful f3.t1lily.,
7h:::· s~otleee he-use or room, the hish1y pol~sl" .. ed
f'ui'll1tu.re :r111 bo t:1o only· dif'i'el~ence by ,,.,hich a ~1ous.:n·ri:f'e
ca~: 0~~p.:."ess her res!Jc~tab111 ty in co:r...tra~t to ti.1e noi,3hbcur . '
1n tho 0~.:3 tene.:J<n.1t houeeo .\ bull dine; vT~ r.oro overy roor::.
holclc a lar:3e fe.81ly, •:there the builclir.£; 1tsc2.l'.1a d1lo.:p1-·
date6g t~1o etr~ct d1rtyJ staircases and l~vatorics in a dis-·
' Innunera.ble buckets or ~·rater ''t1ill bo carried up a ste~p
:Jteil"co.se :fro!:l tho ono a..nd only 1-m.ter- ·ta:Po Al.l freta time
::-.f·ter a hero. dr:.y at the fe.ctcr-.; \·rill ~a spent in a constant
battle acainst filth aLd ver.n!n. i?1lt~ c.:nd '~'leroin u~11ch
~a 1nsv1tablo tmder alll!:'l ..cond1t1ona.
The third ·facet 1n this ejCI'lresoion of .
presti:;o rmd j:•ea:pootab111 ty 1e a non ... aa.ter1n.J. one - the
To llcvu c;ood oa.nnez-a. to be polito to one's eld.cra,
not t:• quost1on but to acce..,.-t, only to a:pealc w:1.en ono 13 .
$y>Clt:::n to, to oboy ruli~e, 3Ven if on.;:. uoes net e:pprQ.ve cf
r:1e s~.rilo attitude is ,dlayle.yod by the olc1cr troman
to1;~;·ua a.uti:ori ty, · towarda, the ;~rq~ea.no To ao.y "yes tt ~ if
one :r.oolo ti·l~ othor peraon .y;ould 11:~e to l~0S.l"' "yea" as an
~~s~or is not r~pocrisy, but po11~oness, ~ foro of 000d
71~"'1DC·:t':J u1t1ch l~..s b:;en inatillod into the GolouJ:>ecl over
It is o.lGo, nv..tur.:J.lly, the ·Hay of the l.east l."esiatCl..ncep \
· ~-t11c:_- 1f3 of ~l"'ea.t i:Jy,ort!Ulce, \'i!"'J.:'n on; 11-.~as i:c e. ccci::;!ty
brtstl1n.·~ 't':it:1 ~11'.ricultles, l·rit:: :n1·oble.:ts, one .:'loee not
undo:rotand/. "" .....
; •, ~
- i l . ~~
•-4 '~I··-
-...
Yc\·] I 't'!Cula. like to £30 from t.ho se,r.:Gral tr.; the p!U't2.\
cular ~x.t.d trace\ some of the vior:;:ers back to their homes,
,and .fi'nu.'out;·hm-; they livct once they hive left the facto:t'y
\
Cut or the bio~a.phical material I he.ve selected I I
'\joulc1 llk3 to 4esc~1be a nmJbar of ·families· ~ihO":! I th!~ .. k
are repre:sent~.tlve of the1r particular social groupo
Inc pic.tu1•es ·a.ral1n do not l'"epreaont tho genu1no 11f'e
history or ra~lly conpos~.tion of any partiQJllo.r i'C'JJ,lly. It
·:ts, :Ln each· co.so, a composite pictUl .. e or onE: 11 typcu of , ..
fa.:11ly.
! 1mul6 like to ehcose my subjects aceord1n-; to the
a~ Sl~oupE'. into ":Thich I !'k'l.Ve di·\l~ided the Gr.:mp of ~.:orkors .
·----..
F2..A:ti CIS : Sho is 19 years of age and 1-'.cs b~en · D.t tL.u
fe.cto:•y since h0r 16t...lt year. Her elder sister \'f&£\ also e.t
tl'lc · :f'aotory-, tmt:ll she c;ot mo.rried.o Fra.r..cia As a qua.liflml
rr.achin1st, earns ~:,4,, J. o '•o. a weeko, She is w~ll-s!)okem and,_
I
S~ .. w l'-m.a instrtirnent-al in G~ttj.r4ts c netball tear:J_ :o1r-:; a.nd in
a r2ember of t!1e Ro11 Cress .. Detachpet:t ..
Her f,,~'!!ily lives in, one of tho plcn.aa...-·1t lookinG sin~;lo-i . . -I at.oreyed. houses· j,n l'iynberg t.o the loft o:f> the r~ilt1ay line.
! Har mctherlo·~rea g.g.rd.ening~ D.?Jd the little front. ·garden is
; e. r:!P.se or- G.e.lia.hs d.t.tnln:;; the season, a,.":ld the stoe>p is· .enclosed ' (
' by ever::-;reen plants '·ritrh -red. splll.sh:Js, of pointsottie.s .•
; / Fr.mc:ls 1 s ra. ther is a music te'e.chero I
I ._
iplaoue m~ounces ~- - . I .
that fact outside the door, ~1vll1.S a.J.l hls J ! ..
j qua.lif'lce.tio1'1S. · He has pupils a.t ·home, and. 1 t is on.a of
! the :fe11 homos 'rlhore a telephone .. is· ~o b~ · !'ound.. It. is a
fi vo/" .. " o .. "
'. . . ··--rt~- ...... ~ ..O .. ;t..:. ., .. ·•-=-·· ..;,;.. ':.::
.,..']~
fl vc-)."coned hcus e ~lith .. a. lsrse 1:1 tchen and a piece or
S!'OWld a.t the backo ~1cr.e are a coupl~ cr vesetablo
patches, flO'II:)r bods s11d. a foid·~run.
si t.tin::;-.roo::t-cum· ·d1n1ns•·l"vora ful"n.ish.ed. 111 tho c~nve:nt.1cnal
me'.nner, oxce'Pt t!"l?.t the ::,>!~1) 1s in !o.tl:cr' s r·-"'c:n ae part of I
• 1 his ztoc~··.-in-trn.C.e. ,
T'hc scnp £1Ged 17, al~eps on o. o.lvan ;t~ father's roo:::.
ro ie 1J':>F;f 1.'.G!1t alt1nn~a, ])asCJes ae .,uropean and 1s a.!)pront-
iced to ~.n o~1ne~r1113 fim.
Franc1a end_t.cr younse~ alet~rp who l1as just started
\mr:: 1r. o. :f'actcl~ t ahara on~ room. 11 Granny, " e. tiny applo
C~ioc::>cod old. lady, ''lhc drews tho old e.~o pcns1cr.. of a
;ur·o~e:a.n (and presumably is one), he.s a s::::all 1)e.c~:roo-;rr to
horet.lf'. t.~l1le the pa.rmlts codrooa is the .?ifth room in the
• Gnu dau~1tor 1s ~arr1ed to a school tcaoil3r. and livos
:..~anc"to a.-.d tho ctb.~ childr.:m '!.i vc ~11. t~~ir nc.noy to
t~E:ir n.other, "ir .. o in t:.1r.n Gives t}:~ !)Ocket money_.
cets ten shlllin~s a. '·:ee1~ poclt~t monz-y, w~:tile her YOU!!Ge.t" ·
sister 30tG o~Jy five ahi111nes4
i)'e..nc:ts is a very busy youn: l1C::m.!'to. i1es:V1.ea thr: 42
1 hours a 1·;eeJr she site at the re.ctory m~,ch1:r.o, ai1e e.lso do(;"':.
• h~r o.-~ s o'11nc;, lmd. s.o~e for her far:.ily and. fri~r..ds. She
cots !)aid fer this, and. has just fin,is:"led pa.~·1n-:--otf on a
llttlo -;1a.chln~ with !'.n oieotric motor, '.tl111ch it 1-'.s.s b:.:-o4l hor
cre~n ~or a long tL~e tv poaseas.
:Su.t t.r..is d.oos not abcolva ll07" fro~ cloil:~ a ~7eat deal I
I of hou.salmr~ as ;iollo '
illlillilo,j,_+ ,.,..;
i
II
r:;rouml at the bac!co Thcr.e are a coupl~ cr vo::etablo
1'!10 t'\·ro front rocna a.re "Pat:1.::r's stuu;, '' ~~d a. .
ei tt.in'3-.roo::1-cum· ,d1n1nS .. ·l. .. vo!l fw:-nished in tl;.c c.:nvant.1cnal
manner, except th~.t the p16mo is in !Q.tl:cr' s r.~o:r:. a.e part of
i1is stoc:~.-in-traa.e.
Tho scnp arsed 17, al.:eps on a. d.lva.n ..1;: father's rom:.
l::J ia "1:-:Jr:f ll~1t eir1rm~c1, :Jasses a.a _ ~uropean and 1s a!)prant-
Franc1.e encl_l:cr younssr- alet~r., who !12.s just starts-a.
\;c·r:: 1r ... a f'd.otory, she.ra en~ room. 11 Gre...."my," e. tiny e:ppl11-
c~~oc:::od olcl lady, '·the draws t.hc old a.5o pcnsior. of a.
:uro,t:..-a.n (ar.d proaunably is one), he.s a s::all l>ao·:roo::t to
hora<..lf. \·.:111c tha !,)V.!'Ol.ltS COO.rOCE ia the fifth room in t1;.;::
bOUSSo • Gnu cla.uJ.htor 1s -ro.r:.r1cd ·to a school tcsc~13r, an::'i livoo
nca.rc:y.
·t~oir uothcr, '\'11-..0 in t'.lr.a Gives tl:~ :r;ocke .. (. ~o.acy_.
sister ::;ota only five sh1111n;::a.,
~anc!e is a very busy youn: lrc::n.n. 7\esi'~.ea th:) 42
hours a treek she sits at the fe.cto~· :t<9.C1:1r.o, ai1e D.lso do(.·".
lit.tlo ·:;ach1n~ "Sith e.n oiectric motor, w111c11 it !!as b~on hor
::Sut t.1:1a d.c::s not abcolva !:or fro:: do1r.'~ a t.re~.t deal
,of houaelmrk as ·rrallo I
l ~ . -l ~ ,,_ ,_
i !
I \ '
the ground has been prepared~ \,. ' \ Vo=kers who vant :finan~ial aezistanc0 !ro~ tho tund
-have to put ·their· cw.se to the secretary. r.·1ho in· ·turn
submt t it to the aomd. ttee. :me personal circ\Clf5i;u.uces
of the ~oz·lte:r are then di&CU3lJCd in the mo.st minute ..
I
detail.
:t:t ia 2-Stoni&'ling hOVT much ia knov about each wox~er, . '
but alwc.ys· 011ly by that m~ber on .the committee, wh.:}
belongs to the Dapar.tm~nt in itfhich the .applic:J.t.tt W'orks .. I .
As a result much fav >uri tis.'n· slips ino I:f' the a:pplicant . . .. . hap:Pens not to be ·l:f.ked by the eommi ttee membeJ:> represehting
'-
her Department,.her case'will be interpreted in an
unfavourable li~t o
. Rather' as toni ahing to me ;..;as h0\'1 the social position
of the applicant ie often a deciding factor·in th(; amount
e.nd nature of help givene !Chera v.raa one ca~e, for.
in£tance, of' a -w-oman w-orker; one belonging ·to the •upper• . I
C ::ass, who W'~S eick' for severU:l weekao Sn.e ·employs a ..... , '
servr:t.nto . file applied fox· help to be able to keep on her
servanto The committee members viewed Uu~t a raa~onab~e
ret.Iuest.
servant vould. mean e. loweJ:ing oi• her etatus~ which could
Sb.o was gra.nted a
.f'airly high SurD. of· money, while another \'IOrker \'lhO / ' /
belonged to the· lowest at·El.tus group» got a very much
mnaller gr.:.mt, though she was really in distrasso
Casec;. are supposed to be di ocussed "in cam.era u e..nd
treated a:s ·strictly confidential, but I have no't laiown of
one caso yet, which remained a secret ·to the rest ot the . ~ . .
t. · communi tyo llot only that, but 1 t iS- nlvayt; kno~ OXL.ctly.
by evoryboay, b.aw every member ·of_ the cOll'il'd ttce has voted.
nus does- not necessarily mea.."l thut the memberv on tho ' .
I' I
. )
aomo money ic cove:r a:n.:nual
o>~:nr-msee, sue~: as :?arsenal or Income Tm~:~ a.:r!d :for i:.1ifficult
t1m:;a.
not find ar .. y hardship in it.:~ bu.t enjoy li\rin~~ o.r;.cl a. modest.· \
I ;.;ould 11l~e ·to contrast l.<"ra..ncis i'ii th Alice,
who tiits next to ,her at the ua.china in the Factoryo Alice
is also 19 y;;.o.ra oi.' a.(3eo She9 tco0 lives '\·ilth her pnrents,
and e~rns £4e lo '-'c a WOE•l: as !!. G.Ualli"ied. :JaChinis't.
ln. ap:pee.ranco both g11'•1s arc attractj.ve, thou::;h Alice
is ·sl.i3htly darkor sE::1imod than Frro1cis~ ana more expensively-
d.resseJ.o She wears thin r.aylo~ stockings and expens:i.yo hig~.
liGD.l'. ·s1:e has socro trD.cas or ne.ko. ·up, "t;lJ.ile !fr~mcis spu.rns
1'ial"Tdor and 11pst1c1:o '
:wJ.ce has I ont~ siat.er a.nd one brother i10r1c1nc nt. the I
" f'o..ctory a.s 11ello· All tl."lroc are c;cod "Vior1~era~ . but ·tlo not.
ptu~ticlpate. in a.ny of the social activities 1n the fa.ctor.r ..
cno day !\.lice 'e sistm." gave noticav . She t-:aa. expec·ting
a bs.by.,
ex;;oct.eli 111m bacl:c, and hoped to get ~arr1el1 before t.ho baby
: 't';a.s ciu.o to be born, I .had· heaJ."d r;cs.s1p. a.lrGa.r1y about this I ' ..1
l ... ;irl 0 a :pregrm.ncy0 end was not. unduly au1·•pr:lsea. ·But. I l'l"o.a j
I .
I r1l~at?cd t'to hec-~r the tongues \"Jere nc·t only u.s ad me.l1c1ously..)
I , b!l,dl v ot:~ .. ' "'
'· .'I. fe11 twoks latert on a :tionda;y,. Alico did not turn up
to l:c:r.,l~. · Busl1 tclec:rap.hJf 11.n.d it tha.t Alice l"'.ad. come hone I
\ froti ·.;vrl~ on Fr1day 0 co7':1:pln.1ncd of pa1nn ~ a:."ld· tl:.a,t vecy
night/ o ,, Q o , o
I -
I
'
I 'I
i
•.
/
woek~ had iiv-en i't:c1ucod to ~ero. Ix: .c.ttQ1.i!il.~ "ttilil 1t~.l1!1 ifu:u1tim,:'re
I '
at :~lsies f1.hr.:n·. v;ay boyol'ld t:.1s h:.;~'!.£.~. :Ii:- Itr::; ttm a:.lllhi'b
ar;d. some mc<~-,a sarl~. f.C:;yr-:1m, '
t.ation .ln its. s~~~:m o;ppen.rn.nce, ~J~!J ~:kcrtt.:a:n rmtt. t1nJ ~:em \'1'1~'*1{6Jih· ·"
home. ..
11ow t0 get· in. /
!nvl too. l:n by ro~ el.~~.2;:~ 'bed:r;:1,;:;~ ~i':dl:JE; Wllmt!!'Th A'mib~T1ts
mot.hor.
' . have b::en on;:n::z:-1 tor cne ~!X:·.:l, irlto . .J. !!l~];m; ·_of' a:ull111::~1]ilw
on tho floor. The :Cc1..irth c.ne had .a d·:tn!:nr.;-~ 1i1t.\llilre lll'Pll
held two c:b.n.irs. I
tablo11 it. coUld l" .. o·•"o:c- ha.v·e •t;ct· in other·tll1za.o
Sart.to t:he boy, \-m.a lying in bod; \-rhee,z ltlf) badly<> JfJI::9. tm1e ~
cubicle I-:n.rio- \'laB ai tt1nsSI feeding her stranp1ng eon~ A]jt:ca~
t . /
'' .c~s it . I hrs!tcted.
' ~~""',c::11~-~ .. ~~\_C_ t:1ors, p.ac~ccd 1n cottonwool~ ~1ns th: .. ::oat '
I :::!ve ~ver eccn .
. Alice of.ru.:;.:,a1 her shouloero.
w::r:t L:::~ t'i .. r:f'.ol7JG. '
~."' £• ... ~ ..... ,.JU'.,.., A --·..:...,,..- _,_ .,... ~ .... -l'~
,...,.,"ry" 'MO.,.. .•• ,... , .... Jt} :- •• \ ·~· ..
'·
.
T':·. ':) paron·t~s . '
~ ·r:.r·f1 til:- c'~iliiz'~l:· 1·,crc old. e:::our~1 to ::::a-(·!1 B. livJ.r.·· .. - I ooul·d.
\
T~le~t h3ttlod. e..:on-; na \'Toll ~ t~1ey
re~)ccr.' :fvl' tl~ ~JL" \a!'e:-.tt's ..
couJ.d, the 0:11.7 ~·lling -.
they/~ . "
i .
(> ' ..
lac tory
... 7""-v>lrr ... • .. "'~l. 1.,: ,f-.1_1 _1q I ye"' ....... (, o-f' r~a::"".. 1~ .,.1.,..,... '··it·h· ~·ll "'i'" 'I"""-nc-ntr < 'OJ, L'-- - <' ,_,..._. .,._ -~ C'.;. .1 .. c;::'-''"' _ ..._ • !.1~ U ., - •I '•' ~ 'Jc;>#. -~ .., "
~
(1irailr,1.r in ap-oea~ance; si t1tins eit.t-J by s1/ nt tho tnachi.nc
( ... '\ - J.l.:i;
. \
Of tho se..me social strata r..s Fre,ncis~ only;
bas tec11 oi· t;ooil etandinr:;~ ani -r..ac {;een liv:lns in compm"a.t1va .~ .
Rer fathor0 a coacbzla.n.~ Oi• ~1ed hl:G Ot-in cab ~nd hors~n .. I ~
H~ uioO..~. t'ihen 'Alm ·wa.s ~til: VfJJ. r Y')'U!lgf! but. left tho fem.iJ.y
·to 1:it1;~ and hfe l'i1fe ·unoxpoctor,l~Y ~.tevolopod shrmrd l)us,.ness - I
capa.b11it.los·c as1d. a.dnin1etor·cd tho esta.to no 't'JGllC' that. t.ho . ";-"
fc-l.mily oven tOtlay._ is still 11v1nG 1n one of' thctr- Oln: hou;:.H~$; ' .
/ : , still llvln:; a:t. horns-.
I (
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l~J'li! -vma to look nfter mothot•c- but. t11~ nest .. rot:ollious '
Tht.: no·the~ is a. t.rue na;t:r1a.t'ch.J ~:~,.: rulon ti1e;n. a.ll ""'
111 th D. rod '~1~ iron, , aml ia held in rr,reat a~:e by l1cr children .. r ... ~ - ,
""""'"' and ... 1er sor..S.· ·111• ·la'\!1· r.:t~eaent ane. i'utuzte" .,\12. financi~J.
'-
r be ·ll8.11d(1d. in ~ntact, e.nd she d.oc1ji~ .\ em the anount of: pocket ' i
-1 \
'i' - "
sb:· foot tn.l.l sen, She
much i£ to l'~e spent o:n ., J .. •
c~o ~~1.1.~s ~r~i:: .. all O\.hor· :psrsor.:al
!!eCt;~Ssitics.
0ncc !l.fu"i. 0r-oko i.lr3'1' glaSB€S;t :.U'te::..· she ~'!.!lC.~ ,jU2t ha·:l a
1m!)loreo. me to come· hom-:.) t·iith h.er a~
\
•
' . . . but e.l•:.l.ays sp.s.:.k 1n the t,!urd :person:- oe it :t:n En,:;lish or
on co
th~ rJoti:s:." '\'rent on a holiil.a.y.., It 't'l<?.e
Aftor len:-:; deliberat.ior.s
.:\rill aa1md pa to ~dd. D. f&\1 linea to r1: let tsl" she had.
I '•!hoJ..o l'=~t.tor \·las \H'1 tt,.en .ip. the t.hi~;:'i. pe:;}sor~.,.
tl ..... v ... -::.,
.r
Ann ls o:ngs..ged to a Coloured_ 1Sti".:1, i'7ho is :cate on e.
£.I(n·;· he :ts 0~1 h:ls lnst
J • ...,., ...... / . ...... _~, , ... ,.) .. ,.
l . I I
•
. ! ~ · .. -...
old. lad;; t'o.:.- hir.l to jc.in n. fi1•m ct ..
SEHJ:.:te t .. o .he.va som.:: myster~.ous pull,,
i
i·- ';..
A biz; pu'olic hAll J?..aa. boen hired. fox- tf..2.t pm"'Jor;.6, a. band
CY1~€!.J.fnl, a.:t!d 300 cuea·ts Cl >rtainod~ ~
.But 011ly at family occe,aions is lo.\r:l.n:hn ass sho1·T!lo
lady has not oesn ·>;ery '·;e.~..:.. f'ot• sorld. t.im~)~ ,mid ea.nnot do any
rn} .. r·1i "'l~e n l -.~.· ve ..... ,~ .J.. J.,t;:t] ,A.. ... ~- -··.;.
:.:tusical, . \
/1.."1n ha.s got a. lovely voice, her b:rot.!1:-3r ple.ys the
It in ~)no of t.he
. I
rocor.J.,g, o.. f-3t'i opora.s, e .. nd ma.-ny 0ro0l: aDd. l"a.ubm" sons~record.s.
~d in Africarm. ·ena . .h.~s all tb.El lat~cst ·oooks on :3outi:l .\frlcan
1
t.l:.zr(; is a llt~O<.ldft f:i.L..~ OY~ a"::d onJ.y to t.1.Le "Ava:<.on110 one Of
I
a11C'~·,ed to r:;o out, unescorted
never/nee••
- . ~ ....... ·'
\
11~v·~;:r• dc.-..;.!:~a trJ as~c t.J..1.:1.t :1c~· ni£J'~f..::.L;t ~::c..£sq!.l c.s £.\ ~;~~;~c~p+:1eJ1
He;.; ·;:,~:ttm~l;; a dar:: s:..:i~1 . ' /
only .came cut O!!.ce ln e. c•.:>nVorsa.tior.· ~-d. t~1 ;Urr I
iccc.·ti.:l.a;tely aa iV.Y
hes:l ta.ting to ·v-isit a colour6{1 fa"!lily,. anc.l sold. :
\
t!..t ~wrk .t"..nll :ls ono o:r Oill." Supsrvlsors ~ Sh,-:; i.E' luiclm.
I
the fo.ctor·y 0 •,vho oome :Z'ro:u smilar homes aG Ann' s~. ShE~ r
i
holp +.he loss f.Ol., .. t~:t:e.,ts !!!90.~Sl~S
;- l \1v) Ann·~ s. fo..'111ly lifo I Houla. 1ikc -to con'tr!lst
.. t'li ti.l _n9.--se;1.eJ s home, who ·ls o.f the se;,.1c ~5e as A!'-n{ 1:ut not
so :fortunate in the economic cil"'Ct..TIBtan::es at. hom~. ,.
uh') still go3s to schoo~, 1.n a small house at .. At1."l.lc.ne: 1Her fathc-:r \'las a.d.r:tver. but ha.s a.l\iays·bEJen ti?OtfbJ.ec1 uith.
'his eyes.., and i$ . t.<Y~s.lly blind· today.,
mt-mt, as eyo-st,re.in for•ces h:i.m ·to st'vp '\>i<?rl;: i'or 1ncreaftirl3
It :uw a little f'l"ont
ge.rdeu l-Ji th tf'to tiny but fertile flo-vwr beds.
sm.all/,. ..... , . I .
... ~-.
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'·
1,--:::··r,c: _·Pnl'"' 1-r;;u"'s :::t.~.-~~. 1:n ..,~ o,.,A"'-1-u-- - ,_ ,_.- - ~~~ - .r..l ,.,_,, "',J,_.,;;;;,L·-v
. \1edrli.::;,j L;roups ,. · l\oirs. ~!o l'lad. e ,.r: c.hilcrE';n, of 'tfhich t1rq d:1.ed.,~
' \
"'··"·U,... '·:: c'·"' l.:i ...... ,,....., ·\Jv # .. .,; ... ~J.. ~.JJ.. '"""-"J.' . '
15/· .. a.
Th.e l:t tt1e
1 vlee-::•ln-;, acru.'bbit.'lS~ pol:tsh:tr..~ f:!.lln ·e. z;r-Bat t1eal of. the . I
. ~'Ut. \l1l1~i!:~.·~ t:-1o '!Jce1:~ .BY 9 ·o'nloc}::: at 111[~\'t,~ ll:3hts are
r, eve~;body til.r'ne:1 o .r:r ,., ....... ,:j ::r . .?.E to ·oe ~,(~::1 .. (~ .......... . ..
' I
of ths·e~; D.tnnlons ~1hich
' sln~1.nc,.; l~nns. s;ro p?...rt of th~ e~l!-irrr,pozr~:l~ tlut.~ea of its
Sundsy/ .. o .. o••
'.
/,
remer. bored .by put tin.r:; flot·; ·:rs op t :.e f:J.ntl:,r • a graves. : ·re .1:.
hardly wlrises a ·~unday, and one of hc;:r chilCron, r.1a.rrictt or
· si~:;lc, or tho husband \v111 accompany her. ·rhis is al\'ra.\re I "
1
quite a·social event, and on the way back, friends will be •
v~aitod,. or invited for a cup of tea. This .is the only t.ype I
_ ~.f outing l~rs. r· o knO\·ta •
· I·1tJ.)t)1e is allo'ltred aoJ>e activo pleasures. One. of her
~rea.t ·pleasures 1s her bicyolo. She, and. one or t'\'IO Girl
triand.s get, together, ta.lce some sa.ndl'71ches alo~, and go on •
a day' a ride somel'ihere in the Peninsula." . r:a. ·~gie loves the
Constantia. ;va.llef, and that is ~ne of their .favourite rides.
Some ... im_es they make up a. party and. f50 up the mountain.
Saturday 'nt3ht 1s tho only- evenins ~~a.3gie is· a.lloued to I
so out. Somebody ·is e.l1-rays lmv1Y.l(S o. twc:nty-f1rst birthday~
or g~tting married., or some other family function is being .
held, an.d Fagg1e usually has two or three 1nv1 tat1ons to
choose from, thoU£")1. ahe he~self' cannot. entertain. She 1e a.
V9ry attractive, ,\';elloma.nnerod 3i:rlp and equally we11~ ... 111ted
by the young and older generations.
11a:;e;1e loves readint;, though she does not BOt tlUCh + ~ ·1::>
to do SOo I
If' she is not busy l'li th household chores, th~l I
is alwaya.a jersey to lm1t, atockinga·t9_mehd, or some othor
odd job to be done. She would have loved to ~o on at
school, but as the family "Yras very ba.dly off, aha had to
l~av~ ,.;i th her junior certificate. She loves reading Bn011Eh
clo.sa1es. Jane Austen 1s 6ne of her favourites, and ono or
her dreams is to -aee a Shakespearian play. perfcrmed on tho ~
stage one day.
Life was o~ten much harder for the family, than it is
i at present. I
N:rs. ~·!o told me how, f"or a. lon.::; time, they all had to
live 'in a stable, a.t·vached to a house in tl1e _Flats, as her-
husband/ •• a .. a
I
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husband ~1aa 111~ tno cr .. .i.ldren smal10 and there uo.s hardly
any income o
ch1ldr~n respcctably0 and 4
ti'a.a so strict \Y.lth them.,
'. t is· wh,;y .l1e ha.d beenp. t1.nd still
'/
Ha.ggie herself told me, ho'\'1 on '\•ret·, cold '\11i.1.ter days
she hau. to '\lralk a.crosa muddy sand d.UJ."1.es and slushy fields
bar0f'oct to go to school .. S~o carried her ahoes in her hand
and \'.ra.s only allo,v.ed to put them on when go ins ~nto. a room.
Once she gpt a severe hiding from her mother; because, scared· . '
of the cold wet walk· ahead,. she he.d. put on her shoes before I · gett1ne; to pchotllo
Her mother's r~~asoning \'ias that l~aggie car.1e from ~~
respectable good family"111 therefore she could not be seelf ln
school barefoot J.ike a poor childo 1
'\'las 110 money to replace shoes o~co they had. been spoiled.$
therefore they ·had t·J be looked after,. and only i.l.SGd -indoors.
F'restige before .Health ... Nassie ·today is still f'ishting
tubel"culos is she contracted several years a.e;o a ·
(v) ~:: I4ot al·days does strict '-;tPbrinsine; pr.oduca
atra~sht-laced children. Not even oconomic securitY, can
make up for the·bad example ,a parent m1gh1;, sot. This ce.n
be !lee:ri in th~ case.of Hose, who is 26 9 wiih alpead.y 2 illeg-
1t1niate children to "her creditno Her father 1a.a. carpenter
He is a v1olet1t man, "t>iho _loves
drir..kir..g and \'mmen·. I .
His \'rite is a. gentle 11 ttle l"roma.n, \·;he
is in the last stages of tuber.culoais; anP, has ',been bed.rid.den
. for many months.
!i.ose is tho eldest of t'1ve children, all girls, one more
attractive than the next~. in a delicate, mournful way. Large ,
bJ.a.ck eyes ln1thin, finely chiseled.fn.ces, slim, graceful
.moving figu:res. fhl. .... e of the girls are working 1n oll.'i- fact0ry.
Beating/., .....
• I
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. Beating up the dau,3h tenl is •:me· of ":fa .. .:.her 9 n ·r r:e~kly
pleasures •. Thay. are not a.llO"'ilotl 11boy 1'-"icntts, 11 they hava
~..e three tsirla is £1.01) .17 o -o One da.ughter is r:to.rriad. an1
bas Jreft home, one, stays at home. to rtm ·the houaao The
f'izl1ly lives at Claremont, in one ot the semi-detached little I
: uea, 'Which stand ro\1 after ro\'l in.· side streets off the /,
Rose· is the rebel in this houaE';)hold. of gentle vromon~ I
j' . j suppressed. by one forceful maleo · She has run away from home
! r :al t1maa, has, lived t11 th more men than one, but has
aJ.ways been dral'fn back to her home by love :f'or her mother.
Cnce she nea:Llly killed ho:r father, \<Then he attaclt€1:1 her
mother in one of his ~ten.fits. Now there is a sort of
\
; anned peace 1n the ·house. Her children are living \'lith her I
marr~~d aieter, fo.r lvh1ch she pays her. a weei\:l] SU"!lo
Rose 1a an intelligent sirl, an excellent l'rorker, l·Tho
can' do any job 'ts1ven to her in e.n efficient, skilful ma.rmer.
~ She' is not a. good mixer, and. lteeps very much· to 11crsel.f'., She
crumot t.ake critic ism, iniz!ied.iately feels her'S elf unjustly
. treated; and 't'iill piclr a. quarrel easily. S"ne protects and
mothers her sisters 1n a. rough domineerins tlal'lner. Her
su:r;><~rvisor. says of her : "Rose is a 3oC?d girl, but she trill
'
I. be naughty ! tr I wonder what \•rould ·have become of
a different father • • • 1
Hose with
·(vi) tiFE· OF· A .YOUN\}- !4ARRIED l·lOHAR : . '
The lif'e of a young marri·ed. woman w1 thout children; or . . ·~
c;ood .family is similar to the_ life of an unmarried young
woman, only that the dependanco on pa.rent;s has· shifted to
!e dependance on pa.rents-1n•law. Wltll the housing sho!'tage
lat. ita l'TOI'St, it 19 nearly i!JlPOSSlble _for ~ young COUpl~> to
·,
J
.....
I
, _,...·,
-~ .....
\ ' his brlqc to his parents !:..one.
son show a. rqom w.i11 bs :round f'or thorn by sou1e memb3r
of the fe.r{lily boir...r~ ev1ct.Gd into ·the d:lnin:.3-room or li:tche~ :.~;.
' . A. bedrcom sui-te of shiny mahogany or wslnul:. VJili be bought -
and. the rtet'i life carj b0gin. Tho gi.rl "'I ill be J.>ini.ng for her-
O\;'l'l people, and rather than' stay a.t home, which is a strange
pl~cc to hE.1r·, she ~~~.11 carry on at tho ie.ctol"y, though ahe I
· mic-,h.t not need to do so (rom an economic point or view. . That
is, w1til she is e~poct1ng a babyo .
Then ne'\ti efforts \'Till be nade ·to find a .home. If' 1 t is
succesz.?ul, she lvill loqk after her child and. not .go back to
! 't~ork, 1.)Ut if she has to re:na.in \11th her ii-la11s, she will ' .
most !Jroba."uly return to work. after a fe\'1 mon-:.:t.s, and.· her \
mother-1n-lm·Y \-Till care fo!' the baby.
Youn~s. mt~.rz•ied life, before qh1ld.birti10 is the gayest
'time :tor a. ycung. ~roman. of good social star.~.ding. · She nead net . -
bribe you...~s brothers any lc:.nger to chaperone her. If her
hu~and. is in ste~dy employment, ane she carries on with her
't·mrk,, their Joint b1comes will be much hl(Shor in proportion
... to the·h"' joint e~";Qena.i tuz·e~ · Her domestic r.espons1b111ties 1n .. t • I .
he~ husband.'s home -.·1111 presum~bly be loss than befort;), and . ' - .
until fs,nily rb5lpons1b111t1eo start, at.e \vill lce.d an act:tv:e
social life., She apd her husband will gc to dances, to I 1. na.rth:s, arrange picnics, .play Sar.ies, or \Iilat·ever their hobbies
might b~. •· • I
\
r.rh1e l·;ay of living only applieS to youns l:Orn.en v·rho
mP.rried into an economically secure· home. Tho majority of
Gj.rle v1111 just exchange r,esponsib1l1typ to t-rhich in a. short
time \'1T:ill be add.ed. en.z•ly morning sickness,, redv.ction ot'
fa.lrl.ily inccme; and added expenses~ '
ovorcrc'\-Jded haines is the kuy-note of. all diff:..cultie~.
This also i.s the difficulty for an investisator trying to ,..
t;et/o. o. ().
"'e.t· ~..,..- ... , """""""' ...... ~tu"'"e ....... c-.,,....,11 • 1 if'o ·o-r .. " ..... , · ... l·"C"".·" .• :-:~"' !">· ...... d :" "'!, :~"J '"'-""'"'.., ;;.l.C' "' \.•~, .L...._.. J -- - J -.. -'-' ....., . .._
;
c:q:·...;nrll tures • Cr.ly in th~ h1,3her socs.e.: otra.ta can a
. no'I"m.a.l fa.r:d.ly 11.1'e be lead, \":~ th a ccr·tain amount ot._ privac:y
to~ its individual memb~rs. But thn.t ia only poasibJ.a trith
fa.;~~ilics of old ota.ndl~g, \·rho are 1:rro:perty 01·.n0rs t.hemsalvee,
or h . .tlVE> been occupyi11g houses for nore than one generation.
Th:i.c, ob7iOusly, ~.p:-plies orly to a. very small m.tJnber of
The ·ms.jority-m1dd.le olass, lo'\a;eJ."' mic1dl.a class and. poor
class.- aro forced. by circumstances, \1hic:1 al."'e not d.icta.tsd
: by eccnom:t.c • cor...sidoration, but. by limi ta.tions ~nforced upon ' '
the;n ,outsJ.de their. ju:r1sdict1on, to live ,..moer cverorct·Iderr
cond.itions 'tihich result in many anomalous situations • •
As c.tJ exam:nla ; It. 1a not. unuaw.t.l to .f:trld n household of' a l'lOrltin,g class family with a joint lneome. of £20. r:. -t<re.ek, liv1n.s in a. house u1th a. rent of 17/6d~ e. \<Ieek ..
But thia family~ ·though they live unaex,. one roof, pooling their resources, are really two to t~ee families. ~~hat ia, ·this joint income of £20. a 11esk is arrived at by the ltorlt of :
le Cno parent ~ approximately 48 ·years of age.
2.. His son -· about 23 an.d the son's 11if"e - sane age.
:1.. Ono or t'!.io Ul'lrilsrriad children of the par:ento
3c~ztiues the joiut incomes ar•e even higher than £20. 'rhis ~;ill not imply bfJtter 11v1n:;;· conditions, only a lsrse-r· fa.flJ.ily of t1arn1DG ac;e.., \tho cannot set up house on thG·ir m·;n:, as there 1o no aocommonat1orJ. available. UsuG.lly there are aloe a numbar of: small oh11~en. ae part of the houeeholr.l, the ohildrm~ of somo of the couples livin3 \'Tith their parents.·
;.oman 1-rh.o · ar~ t;ork:tn¢ a.nr1 are. between 30 ~n.d 40 years
of ase often have a difficult ·lifo. · They mostly a.re, or
havo boe:n, mr:trried., have children 't-Thc; are not old en.ough yet.
to supplement. the fe.mily income, a.r1d a husbanC:. who cannot
_s~:p:port the :fa.m1ly_adequately. Often they aro the aole
supporters of ·their family.
' f Harte/ .•••••
,,
(vii.) Sho 1:3
Eer husba:nd f'.)CG~'ltly died cf tuborculcs1z.. cmc of th~,
chilCJ..i::n hes tubc.rculosls cf the bon0 ana ic ln a homao The
1 12-ye.:l:c'-O~d. ;~ach.ol loolrs ·after the otner t-w-o \>then sh9 CQmea
home from. sc:1ool. Sho also. does the shopping t~d pro-pares
the rood. I
T!arie io living in a small I'oom in a room:!ne; house in
'dcodatock. A dot.ible.rs.toreyed. ?-ouae, dila.p1deted and dirty
'\11th a. nal"l'OW entrance 1!1tO a cla.rlt paseage. '\'11th aJl evil
stench.· Creaking i:76oden ·sta.1rs "i=tlieh l':lave never boen acr-u.bbed
lead. up to the :f'irs·~ land.ing. ·"f'"i ve do ora lead on to this ..__
landing, rri th five rooms, l:Jhich hold five families · with· an·
avera.~e of four children each. The doo.t•s of t!1-o. rooms are
usually open ..
Slovenly vmmen ~ri t:1. clirt,y childre~·l 11 ve next to tidy,
'noat~looking woman. ~·lashing 1s htir~~ up ln every r-oom,
· etretchin; out. into t.he corrid.oro . l'r;1:mus stoves are going, I
candles are flielrering 1n the rooms · fa.c1n3 the nal"ro~; air-
shaft; ~;hich is dark GT.l · in bro~.o. o.a.yl1ght." There is elec-
trlcity laid on, but the lsndlord had it turned. off long-a.e;o,
a~ nobody could afford ·to pay .the bill. There is one lave-
tory ·to about ten families, one. 'ttater tap in the yard.
· \;hon ua..ri <:l comes home in the even1ng a.fter a day of
a.tandlne; over'th& ·ironing board sho ca:t"ries up to her room
buck<.7t after buclcet of water, to cleaL the room, to \'lash the
children, to cook~ Her ~oom is spotlessly clB~l, though
pennea.-t.ed. by the smell of eoolt1ng, lml'Ia.shed 'bodies and the
lavatory· - a. smo~l. \'Ihi.ch enters from the outside through every
.Ghe is e thin slip of a. \·loman, who suffers badly fr.om
rheumatism/ ...... o
I
'
-~'11.,.. .. ~J.-:·. ""tf1f'_ b- :".: ...... ] ..... - '~--o ••• ~-,, .. o- ~, .r.~ ... ,:-.#>.., .~..~.v""~ ..,: .o,l-.1- u 't~u:.·""".., z'.L:~ ~.,ro
I
. uoeli:s fr..).;1 '\:.rhic:.'l·sh.~ still. pays off oebt.s: Eh~ hc.d incurred
du:r=..n~ her husband's 111neaa. 3he has to buy school clot.hes
tor :->.achoL. Th:.; clothes f-er the oth(:';.I' c~.lilctron· she m\:k~a
horsalf. To supplemant her 1~conw s~£- takos !h •·;aeh.inz which
she tJ.oes over W'J~};end.o o ., I
Rr:;;che1 1.<1ort:s nearly ·as hard as her mot.hGro Betoz-e
comine; hope she cleans schoolrooms to get a free meal~ she
scrubs 11 ~·Jashes e..nd. 1rox1s like an ad.ult. $en ·!'ll1e.n she walks
around. eha.ttin3 to other children, supe:.--·v-1aing -her yo'lm3 ·. /
sister and broth(:)!'~ her ha.:'ld;J are buey 'kith some knitt:tf.g.
!~t tJhe same time she ia ~ lmppy and. gay childo
In ep:tte of lts poverty,, t.he room ir;. which the :ranily
il;re haa a. h.appy a.tm.osphel'e. ·There are ahm.ys f'J_o\';ors~ .even \
_1:.? it is ra.ti1er dr1(1d.-qut heather~ Keighbou.rs ha.ve a gl"'a"t:o-
nhone l·thich grS.11.d.a the same record over ar:.d. over again. But
·1-ra.rie and the childrE--n love it., . They sing 1t ·of-ten, harmon-
in apite of its obvious !)overty a.n.d the terrible living con
dit.ions which sv.rround it.
(vii:t) _ D0ROTT..£Y.: Dorothy is a couple of yea~s ole.er "t,"P.an
She could have an· ea.s ter life, 11' she ~rould choose '
to do _so, but she and her husband's lives are teken up ~
halpin3 othezos.
Pet~r, hor husband, is_ e.. driver, and ear-ns. £4o 10.-. a
-'t-mek. They have a daughter v1ho is 18 and -..-mrks in e. shoe
fe.ctcz•y. 3he brine;e about £3. hOI!le ever•y '!treek. One son '
st111 BOeS to, schC'·ol-. 'Dorothy's mo-ther lives ~rith them end
dral<rs. an old age penaion. Dorothy herael.f ea.l~O £4o io -o a
: l-'Teeko ·
The family 11vea .1n a sem1Ddetached house 1n a etreet
not)r.ooooo
{
\.
one of t.h e three roc:ns in the I
house 1e fairly 1e.rge) and there every sunCl..ay prF!yer meetings
are he1do But the-y do not only pray. C~..ildre:n from the
district are inv~ted~o C?me. often thore are asrmany as
th~trty. l!Nery ohild gets a p1t'l.to of soup and som_e f.ru1t., ,
A11 members of the f'e.m1ly coll,ect. old. clothes e.nt1 distribute
them to t.he· n.eetly •
. ~heir flat is the cent.re of. a miss10rlt which t-rorks
anor1r~st. the poorest .of t.he d.onk al"ea. ~rvrica a '!."'eek hospitals
' ·are. \risitea., pe.tienta ar.e brought presents, and prayers are
said, hYmn~ sunr;. I .
r-1cney must n0t , be collect.ed. - but sor:J:ehow .. t..h~re is a.lirtays enou.:~_h to buy a loaf of bread; some coal, _
4'
some milk 1"oX" ·the d.e~t1tute. ,
Slnce t.h0 ·tubei•oulosis seJ,f-help or-gardse,tion in in
existence, Dorothy has become an ae;1~1.ve member of it... She
·I Y1si ts tuberaulot1osp _ e,rr~.n._~ea for their screening at the .__.
· ! c;tin1n and. looks e~:r.t.er the family~ . In ada.1 t.i.on t.o all this•
she runs her home, completes an eight ... hour day a.t the machine*
ana. suffc.,rs from a le~t~dtt~ heart~- i'lhich at times makes hfr
~11able to worl<: fer ~reeks OJO endo \
( ix) :;i;LLEN : l'A Buti.~ not all women between 3C and 40 are .lilte
· ·_ r,~arie and. Dorothy.· There' is Jl:llen. She ia. 36 1 a.n attractive
brunett.e, "t-rho could e~.s~ly pass as a. latin beauty. I . • l ~-Her: father came~ from the Argen·t1ne. eo she says. It
. 1
rnuat be "•rue, as she 1a ~n extremely unec1ucatad vlom~n, and
1:1ould not 1mov1 that the Argentine existed.- othei>'"rtise. •rne . '
fo.th;Jr u.ld not stay lon~ _enough in tho c~try to :fin& out
that he hn.d a dr:lught.er, and does not furthel' :rea.ture 1ri Zllan•s
lif'e._ Hel' .mother, ~ Oo1our.ed l'JCman~ married a Ce.:pe Oolo'U1.;"ed9
and. bad four more childreno
1 ··_:llen herself married a good.-lookin<;,, lightly-coloured , I
man/. a •••••
.. n~.D., vlho in Zr.:l:ployod a8 a.. la.tourcr by ~~La C:l. ":..y C:c;uncil,,
They ho.vc five children, t'tw of: w'h.c·m hre a.lr~s~d..y \10r1r:il.'lg. -
·.:;!len is not quite su2•e of h.t:tr ase, but. · £.~1e thin2ra EJC.\t' get
.. ne:.rried t:hen sb.o l:as 16. She oan:.<1ot r·eaa" or write. She i::::
. Her only t:t:>oublo is that ~.ho l(waa plea.:.na--~1, a:nd. I
' ple~~sure spells me!l. There a.re a.llia.ys tmlluto-O.o mon around - ' . '
She is taken f'or driv·es, to lk'lve dr-1:tl.l~: and ~o .t.ha
She rloea 110t look afttn.... her home, or· .
All ·~hlu \'i'ould havo nLit1rl.!lg t.o .do vti 1ih the i'actcry, ·"
if her it>a:lie husband ·would 11.ot. turn. up at least once every
lreelt: t.o threaten F~llen ox· r..a.ve a fight u1th · one of' her 'ra~t:tng
Be:;mx. ::!!llen is a grea-t source of gossip f .J:.." the workers, . \
I a:nc1, though ~"l.el .. rrl-w.ug11.tineasu ie t.'iaplored, sha eupplies ·.;n.uch
1· ente:C'i:.a.lnment on a dull l'10!'lc!ng dt1.y: .. S€ttte:r.:•s.l tirr~eE. 3he haS I
Ellen a ponds every penl'lj~ sbe · ea-!'na 011 herself o Sho 1s a
board.~ -F'ive m.j.nutes after the evening hooter ha.a gone, QUt
of. the cloakroom emerges a coquettishly .d.ress(}d., elegantly
movilig ,~·ome.n.,.. Hal~ father must have been an Argentinian
after· all • •
i
t.o b~:- that thay' are all &xtremely hai-d 1-ro:rl~el's. ·This applies
their- r.~.at.ds Nill nevGr be idle, there 'dll be some lmi tting~ \
some men.dir~, somo ee-w1r-~.g,- or some emb.ro1clering done '\'rh1le
talking/.ooeo
/
' tt is the pos1tiorJ of the t'18.."1., r~c-s.lly, 'trho g1ve~ a
· t!1e f.:~:11ily st,ructure~ 1-:hich dote-mines thr; sta:'!di.n:; of all-
(a)
Cla.sa family it. wtll nea!l in most. Cf1,Ses that the head of the
1 li.ousehold. is a "~ihite Cellar '.·ro:r:>ker .. " It lvi11 also mean '
tha:t it is t.he ~.3.U£5ht!?;r, -and. not t.he ~&"_ife 'Yiho is e:nployeo. at
th~ factory. ":t'atb.0r" mi::tht be a teacher~ a minister. a ' ........ ( . ~
/
I:n an u::.;p~r c1e.se t.a:.'TI:tl.y ~ ~ 'tfODJan l'Ti th sme.ll children
'.'7111 rarely J.eave, h~r hom.e1 on~y late~ ln ·life,. t·i!l.en the
childre-n at-0 gr.olm u~, sho misht congid.e-r :.;oin;; back to i':rorl~&
I
1'0e.st. a nda.:i.ly ..... ,omn.n", "~ho d.o€'6 th~ l"ongh hcuse't·:ork for her.
The basis 011 'Hhich the homo is bu.ilt, is economic stah-/
il:!;t,y. I
or morG r;anera:ttons, to sevo sonG money, so that 1.-:rh:en sick-
i r.tE;G£ cr uncn-nloyn.ont' ahoula. t.h.ree.ten a,ny member of the fam.S.ly
i d1ff1cult.ies c~ be met '\'iithout upsetting the \>Jh.o1e pattern
1 of living. . f
'
emotional stab111 ty, t~at is t.be haad.s or t.he household, the
, uerents, ,-;ill be one unit, \>Tho can be· rel:b21d en, who \•Till set
m~ c.i:a'1'lple tthich they eY.!Ject to be follo•·:ed • . I. . .
'i'ho father, c.no. e,ll chi.ldren ove1 .. 16 yea.rs of e.ge will,
• 1 cern a livinc;, t.he mothor ;-rill be c;iven most of ·t.he 'l:tagea,
J.
from 'Hh1ch shEJ will clo"t.he azrl feed the· fa..r:.tilyo ·
..
-)
/
·' I
I'
ineor-:..ss.
I7ont~ly e.ccount,a ~.n stores
arc· ru11 up as a. rule, and the budget will bo 11ell th-ought
out a:::d. balanct~ •· I-t anyt.hin?; is bou£:ht on h1.r~ p\;..rchasa, r
it is 'Ki t-h..in the household.' s ·ea.rnln3 canacity t
Usua.J. ~y only un11arried meznbc·rs o·f the family l·Iill occupy \ . -. .
·the home, f~hous~ thore might be ·a married rlaughter or· son
~1v1:n 0 •,-rith the pa .. renta, but this i.e (.;'i11y a question of exped-
11Jl1CYt 1:?hicb. the b.ous.1:ng shortage ha.a. en.f'orced ... · More o!ten. · ' .
a parE.mt of either of the parents \'i111 be 1:1 member- of the
hou.se.hold.
":lhich \>rill simplify h.ousekee:p1ng. I . .
An e1 ectric wash1Yl:3 . I
r~s.chine or a pressure cooker are gre~t.ly coveted P?tsessions
in a large househcldn An eleo"t.rii! stove, a fr·igid.aire, '
runnin':. '1.-l!lter a.re taken ·as a mattep of courae. Very rapely
·vtill a :-:cover., or a!~Y cA~hel" electr:i.c e~.rpct cleaner be fotmd.
But ·then hardly any l1oz.1e will have cal"TJete. TherH m1r:;ht be
a runner, but ot,hendse most ot the rooms t·;ill be lt:tid out '
'\'t,. th 11nolaur.-,a, ~/h:tob la easiest to keep clea.no -. AlJ. this enables ·the women of the ho'.lsohol<J., oi wh..~tever
' I A I 8.3~, I'
Leist.1re t-rill not' mea::::1, laziness. It will only mean t,h.at. one
. ·ce.n do t.hir~gs one e:nJoys, an~ not thinss which have to be
'a:n.d/ 0 0 •• .,
/
...
:r~w ycnmger cm;orn:c~.on \'7ill belon::::: t,o t1iffcrii.n.":i.t. club2'"
spr .... rts cl;.ibs, the mountain c.1u1J 1 \.1111 att.:1>nd ''~ocS..a::i..u'1 · :;:.YlC:. · . . .
dances oz:gar;.i~lbd. by th0.5.J.:• elubE., or- attend chlll"Ch ftl~;tr:.:t.icrmo
Family fEJstiva.ls
· a.plotib. ·
: guests at. a. looa.l hot,el or public halJ.., t·Ii 'th s. band, refr~sh-
1 r1.c·r:ts e.;::.cl tla,nc.i11g., .. :r:he siU\ie, C·i.'llj" or; D • . :tt3:J?fl_0'1."' scaJ.e, "W111. be
I r~r,;,·,e ,.11~·,.., 0"-"'"" (•"' -~ 1'1<-"' ,:;,.u,.•n-f·_.r,....,~ ,,.,..,.t~ ,.., .... ~ ........ ~ -~r ·out ~·-~-:'t' . .., , ~ '-'"'""-' -.; J •.:Ju ,.;~.:; J. U.l: ·~ """'" ';~ ·"'"·.A..-; 0 <.7 >•• tt.G .... .1. ... 1;; •••• , .,.,..._.._, ' ~
l·lovel Qf
I. quost~1,o:c. r .
. ' I .
ional pli.otoGJ.~apher-s 1-Iil.l-- a.ttel:t<l: t-::·ho uJ.lJ. sub~n:t t e, pictOl"ial.
)
l~ecep·~iOUo ;)ome of t.i1.c:Bt;- photqs w~.11 be enlarged an.ct colOl..lr-
find a p1ae~ of honour on the 1·rall£l of t~he d.iff-
oront horn.o_s.
If any membE.~r;s. ot ... the .frunil.;r {-~re nusico.l, · :erher_ e rill I '
bo a ·piano, ·or some other in~trtlmont, a.nd a c;ranophcne "ri th
you~1::;er· pnes of tha family might be. active nemb.::rs of the
I 11 actins. Y.h.:;y l·i:t ll go to pl-ays, t,o · concer-ts- at i11h1ch non-
(
-1 i ~--.. _ .... ,
l:!.uropeans aTe a.dznitted.
If· tlwy like reading, :they mi3ht bolons to a book: \
club~ 1'lhero !-hey 'Pay a _monthly ar.1om'lt, and Get a book of
their choice regularly by post.
facilities for non-1~ropeans. ;• . They \1111 ta.ke in at least one db.ily paper, and most-
pr-obably also read one of the pa:pers \'1h1ch report on non--:-.
J.'Uropean matters ~xtensively, S\lCh as_ the nsun"; the "Clarion",
1 or the t'Torch" .• American comics \vill be very r'opula.r l1lt~
the younger ones_ of the _familyo
I.fembors of tnis typo of· family, who are also members of - -
the factory community, will ~0 mainly young girls. or women
. 1·1ho l'Ti:,Il remain at \·mrk tmtil their ma.rr_ia.ge, or until they
expect a babyo· Tho girls will usually give their earnir~s
to their ~othor, and. just- receive pocket money. I
. A few elderly women of this social class t~ll also have
come back to t·rork. . '·
:rhey mi&'-lt be l'Iidowe, or illness in the
f8.1'11ily might have made 1 t essential ·that they supplement the I
family income. They "\";ill 1ra.ther \"JO:rlt- than re.duce their I
sta.n.d.a.ra of living. -~ I
During· holidays they ~·Fill often travel to other totrms,
to visit relatives and. friends. \1herever possible they \·rill
go' by car 9r boat, so that they cannot _bo affected by the
Colour bar.. Tho younger membe_rs~ ·of the family \"Jill often
· e;o camplne;, either 1-:ith their club, pr a number of friends
'lliill 5et tosether ....
{b) N1ddla Class : '' !~embers of . the 1'iidd.le- Class strive I
to1.vard.s the \'lay of l;tving just described~ The husbands,
fathers,· and. SOnG~ Of a midaJ.e ClaSS fa::ni'J.y \"Till be D.rtiBarlS
-of some description, \'tilJ. be drivers, or in mun1eipa.l 0
provincial or government ~mployment.
Their homes t1il~ b-e -furnished ·in a similar m~.nner to
,
i
=105-
the homes of the upp~r class fD.J:Jilies., th::-ir atylo·of . / , . '
11v1ng ti1l1 be air.tila.r, and. fe..;n1ly f'estl~.rD.J.s, particularly \
the ~wenty-t'irst ~irthdc'l.ya of 1 .the girls o.~1d. wedd"in.gor;. -.rill
.be celebrated. pn an often equally large sca.lo to those al;;. ' ' .
• ready describe.d.
The i."n~Ortant d.ifforenoe bet"t"!ecn these t'\•10 classes and
. 'their 'tlp.y of living l'llll be, that, w41~e the standard of
li v1ng or an upper class fa.m~ly 7:-:111 remtJ.i:n. the.· sa..rno du.r.1ng I
1the.life of one or more generations, that of the r.t1d.dle class
'' ~amily will be subjo9ted to gr~ater fluctuations. ' Poverty I .
~d co!nparative wealth i-I1.l1 be close neighbours tdth1h one
lifetime.
A you,ng cquple gats married. 'lheir t·ray of livin3 l'rill not change, except that the one partner will move into the house ·Of. his or her 1n-lar;s~de!-)ending on the apace available~ The.1 vill both rema.in in employment i' The joint 1ncon:.c of' this part1cula"r household ,tor this particular period l'rill be very high. T:"le young oouplo '\dll PBJ tm-;ards their. u~ . keep1 ·but. a. groat slice of tJu,d.r income l'Iill a.ll"eady 50 to a furniture store· to pay off the bedroom suite,. which constituted their :r1rst. purchase.. They "V"lill a.leo buy· a. radio, or a ra.dic:;l:"aL't, ~md riE;] be even a d'.:n1ng-room suite,. -which ttill remain '-n the store until ·suo?- t1.me as the,- will ba.ve a home of their Oi'm,.
. ' '
· The Joint '11:f'e w1)l be stsrtad. w1 th an 1neome o.f about· £10 - £12. a trieelr, a.n.d commitments ran.:;ir~ between £l20 •. and £200o
.The ~young woman falls pr?g.na.nt.. A.ftel:., a felt montha slm., l-1111 have to leave t'lorl::. The far.i11y incoo~ 0~ · r..J.2. a t1eek lvill be reduced by .£4., and nc.r.·r expenses are added to the reduced, income. ,t\.ft~r -tho !',~b; .l.us b-een born, she might come baok to r-ror1c for a s:1ifl'"'t. ·time. She \v:lll only be able to do this.( if thel'e 1s an elderly re·lati-ve in the house, who is\pot 1:10rk~1'-'6 , herself o -- ~
. .nut 1vh~rever · 1 t 1s possible the yottl'lt3 couple l'llll try to ,find a. home .of their O\-m., Cf'ten a second. baby follows thG i'~rst tri thin a year, \'rh1ch ,will ma.lre 1 t imperative :tol" the you:ng rroman to remain at horno, an.d. to rind a home or their OlinD .
The next number o:r years will be a contiiruqus ' struggle against .poverty. FUrniture, kitchen equiP
, ma:r:t. linen, bedd.in$ · v:111 have to b~ paid o'ff, . , : growl~~ children mean. in~reased expenses$ and money coming in will only be l'Thatever the husband is
( earning/o n •• 0
. \
•
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8·~;.t1rlli1: ~~. s t~e~ 1. £:1,5 ~- J:].r;_tf;!S ::-;
:t::l:!lil;:r f15.·r·e
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L1. .. ~~ a f"'-..t1....-.·~:.\7.~~ tt .: t 11~.: f~t ..... 'f1 .. :L:: :-:
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-1~>~1T'h·~')r~C"!J.~ -t"V''(..'.I.i,~1n'.lr· .... •.:. ,~ i"~j ~.~ _, ..... J~ _ _)• • .... 'l!t.\...,.l,.",o.;..~-..., .k.i.l.t...ll.~,;.t • ./...a.!j.~.J.. ... l~tj ::~ ... : . .: .. \._,~·· .. : t:
:lt1 £~-rr~.)~:t~~. (l:.)Ct~()r: ~ :-\ 'i:)l}.:~~S C~-!l.:.l"JO·!~ f .. ::~ ~:~ ~~1~ ':t.i l(t ·t,: ... ~.., a ·t.~t.11Ctn1~tt <.lf i.S."\ri:r.t.-~ ~-:~~j~J- r~'*J..l ·~;e~r 1 ·;::.-~3J. \)·t·j -t-~.1.:.:; j;G~:::rr~~Y C;1.t.u.!"::t l:lr.:::.
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l.if~z. t1.Sfl ... ,Cittt,1.011 ie &.:;)'(Jit(:;~C~1~:?ti~ 1r!}liC~ .. j_.g s:L-:,:·:.::1-·\;--s r <•
t···~ ·~·1M.~ 1 (.,(._1 .. -,,...()· "11·1 .. "'~r-."!!"t 1t.r_ .~-~, .. '"\ . ..,..b v·.~.-'~"",-:_.·....-.i·c" i'"' .·:'01'"' ~,~-cl: ... ··i n,,).1..t '."')···"-J.i.- i.,I_~J., .... .._. J .,l .. lo-,· ..... .._,_ .!.: ..... J--.. .i. · •. ~;..t t,.."-'.:;.. ~.J•:i•,'- •.• .j, .... ,,,;_:, .J.. _ _i· ... r,_~-;.._ _,.-.J , ..... t..l
.,."1"".(4\.lti'\.•; .. '!Aj"'"'"'"t" "-("'!.-•.(•t><~.~.-Ar_, _."''"'~ .. ~"1"'"'-.4"'11."'"'"".! .oM. 't,.,..._..,.,r ... ,_...,. -,·fr~•:f;A,!"f)"" :,.!..ILJ.~•.._.t "J •-~-~~ ... !..~ .. ·ulr .• '~~J..lt....~·r.;-. ::.·~~,J!.:.. ~t.~;.~~.,!J..•;:J L:!t •:tt~..i.l\.;,..,•".t"-·;. ::,_-f,~~ 4..!.J.''[. .. L .. .t..~L
t.mv[U't.i.t.l tht: h9uaehcJ.t1 mon~·:y ~;~tl.~out mu:.;h n<:~:t""t:, );or'J.:~. -r~s o;.14,1 oJliJ .. tl !nO::\::;- rJJ:' J~·?s~1 fi<J::n l.:.s ;:. ~1a:::o ;-(~·~1ch ~1.1~!f'£::~ ...... ~::~1C€: il'l ~~ l;JilJ.8-el~c~J..t1. ~i;:l.t;!:. S·o'f;e:~~t'.:!·j_· ohilcJ .. i-.(~!! c:~.lr0t"\c1;}r c;
.......
The cconom.1 .. o 1.cy~~J of" pre-::wJ:>r'it;.r;n., (;l'' ·Ct\rly -,<:~· ... ~~·~ :·~·"""' ,,":'"''" -~ f.I C'"''l'(P r.•v..-,AH.·;•'l, "j ·~ ""~"-·· .... .,~.Q>¥:; ":""••1·..-, .• ,,·· ... , ... ·.:.·.v.J ,.,,..,._,..,.t,. .f. ,J_...._w(. •• l'•" "'-'~·~~ n .t-~ .P.S..I. tf : . ..t.-\,;l.'<..;..·-.:.,....,. ........ L.J ). "\..10,.....,,\... ,.&, :.;;t..:::.:_,c-,..., .o. .. ~ 'U ~ .,J -
Ol .. ft:..• o~ ro·Tr,~~-'"'-t~ ,~1·~ ~~~·~~~ ..... ~...., ~"\.t'1J~ "i"lr~-. .. ....._cl-:c.f~ ~·,·\f.'. •"'t-~ t.')I.~" "1 j:~ • ?~ -<. •'•~ 4o"' -~·L .,! .... -.A,., .... J . .', l/4.•V V , • ._..,::, .... , • ...._ y,lr ~ ""~.)"> \ , •'-~/
·~('>" ,,..,.,. ..-J. '!"' ,-,, ,.,...,.,.., •,"!•....,(.' "Jf~-,;~·1'- ~fJ"~L'•"c"><,\ ·j· '~ •''Y\ ::"' ::;-ll. i-' ., 'i').~J O"<>t".f'H1 •} ,_.,,....,Nj. t;..l \c A> 1.-l•.J.Jt. "'1. ... 0 )..,J.<'! • ~'--...... ..c~ "J ..._ -4'~~~. >;;;J ~~-'·'or."' ).._ I~ ,-,.r...- _.. ,.. ., _......,,, 'J.ar.,!-.·~ -J..!1 ~ 'i<q~J"•";_ ~~·-~· ... :-::.~. ·l·.1.::,._,~,., •. -.,,-,.n. r-~~"'~AI•~·,..:>t• "'!""'~' . •• ,J.':"""\.1 \.1 .. '"'~ ... ~.d .....,u,_., ..... ':~o#l• ...... ~ .. Uf wLI., ........ l. \t;."~._,,'"" .,a~v ...,.,.._U_!_.•VV r:la...,.. "--"
-~·~~~<~";.1"· .,.,..,,, t;,""("t~·"!.- ~.,.-:~' r-,~ .... ,i~ f"t/~il7"~:"·~··.·l ...... -z.,~ .. · . .""il '7"'"·1'11:4"''1l,l;'!~~"~-'~;..f.~'J' "('~ .. .l!·f' t._J...t~ • '-,...•·""' \.1;''-1. ~ .. \ ,.., \.l! • .1. c .. "'·. ~ '"·~,t ·"". ~ .) . .!:i_.-_.t .. (,_.J ~ .... v ....... .:J. ~ '.:J.d l·~ ~-.;a.. .-~ .. 'J:t- .~ ~ •• u .. ..J
lr.to, .r-::;;~:r-1~:i.otl1~~1:rJ.y t~B l;:v tll:\t t~j,rnt~ mo£~t. llil~<:~ -pu:t~~ht~ae C r:...,.,·•·.·;.!.,.,. .• , ... +n ~ ... ..,i."'' ">'"'"'"' -,..,.,t q·~·c:J -~·.,(~ .:!'>.,..,~ . .>:"1-r n·,'··~; .. <!o
J .. ~J.~.J...J. V-~~·:..;;.:. ... .~;;.> .... tf .. t.o ;· v ,., .:.;~.,..,.,.c. ~~''":/ -': "~::,"-'.~ ._. u .. ""':; ~\.~:. ... .J.,,.t....l-~.J .!.:.-..1..:_\J.i\.t
,.,., ,.,, ... , ., +o "'~'''"' .... , .. ~,,· .,...,,.,. • .., ... y . .., .......... ,..,,,,-~t 1'i.;.G·~~,·t·~---'"··lv ·.::C,t.,.J..l.,t;;; t.l' hi~ ..... ._;:.~ ~·....J: ... io ~l.:.-..<~.A.;...~ · • ,.,,?-, J.:.tO.i- ::..1 ... -l.. '.1 ,J;.. -J:.~l.J- ...;-_ ~' v.~:·
some lllXl . .t·~~or:1, SlY_cl: a..~ t,1l~ 1)'l\"t-l~·\~;,:; o~' so:n·.:; :ta.~:~:~~~z:rOD sa:vi:nr<: clev:t<::<.m.. of l!.t..i11dF-7S A :r .. Erd cJ.et.lH~S ~ ot,c.
~ ~ ~ , . I '.
71:ta c;y·.o,ltJ \,:!5.~1.) .. ~{)O O] .. C}SOti t'1.!:H~!:; t,f:._0 C11~t].ttre'fl SStr r:it!:l~l~:t~Ci: SJ10 c~t~-=t~ li!:; l1ot:e1; c~.f ~\ilt~:~~t.r.· o1;I!o \f~1!':J. c·~':t·e!J. tll~:: yc;u.r:..~:;o:~t dauzht,;fir or sori ~;ri.ll, ·~?:.~ J;::t't ::.~:) ? 1 co1t~ r;ro~r:tdc·x~~~ o'J: n.Yi S.iS;;rl. !..'i!t~f'3:t:it· ~.~'..:Ctl ·/!J_..L.J .. J:·i~t"\r~s ·tc~ i~}:lj.;:'l}~ ~:.:.1:21. C(:t b<~fcr-~ }le· o:r.~ s1 10 ce..J1 t;c:.rt Elo.,r•J? let! .•
years o~· their· children 1.-i:!.ll: h"":!:ve ln.st.b15 effccta on tho
" 't:IJ.6.f;et4 v:LLl
much
/
•
/
their educationa.l possibilities reduced.;~ ae. tho chilclpan. ;
\>Till have to leav~ school '\1hen they are 15 years old. ' .
It .. e.}JPoa.ra to me.: thou~g,.'IJ. I have no statistical proof
for th~s _statement, that there 19. mora illness and disease·
in t.hc middle class than in the upper class home •
. There vr111, often.' be one rnc~mber of· the :f'~YJl.ily '\•rho is <·
peX'manently, or for long stretches o:f' time, inca:nabl~ of
workingo · Be _it tuberculosiss cancer, b11.ndness, some form
of ma1forma.t1_on, -som~body w11l_have to be cared for.,
In nearly every fe,mily I v~ si ted.p one or tacre children
i · have died. in· eli11db1rth~ or t-rhen ver·:1 young.. . Fe;milies, are ·
large 0 a:h. average family has ro·ur to six ch1ldran •.
Though the child in a middlE:> c3;ase fa.m11y will not have.
thP secure be.cltgr.ound of ~conomic ·s~curity_ there uill, as
a rule be "emot1ona.1" s~cur•ity'-' L • / \ '
The parents \~·111, as .1n the·
upper class homiq:,. set an example pf tt(iecent IJ..i~ingtt • \'Th1ch I.
tltey vrill expect their ch11.clreri to follo'ltr.
The differences 1n the upbringing of a youngster in an ' .
11artisan farni~yn to one in a rt\'ihite col1al"' 11 home might be that
the· ar.t·i..sarr-pa.l .. ent \v111 be verY much stricter than the one
of an upper class home • ../,
I
class pe~son living in pc~ ... 0rty;~ a:nd a middle class parse~ -
living in poverty, can af~tsr all be expressed only by the
desree of 11respectab111ty" as in manners, and in one's standI
1115 \'Tlth1n the ChurchnCOI!m.)unity to which one happens .to belong.
Ny acquaintance tt-1 th mid.dlo class :f'amili.es ha.s been " ~ 1 ....
mainly during the prosp'e:toous cycle of their 11 ves, as one or
more ur.anal~r-ied, or ne\·Ily-mar-ried. member·s Of the family 't-1111
be employed at the factory. ' .
TP,cir pattern of living at that period will not be much
different ~om that of an upper class family$ though th~re
V"i11l/ •••• "
I
\
.l
~
will ba more l-TOl"k and leg~ l~ieure for the '\'rork1ng girl., I
'in the fa.milyo
1. Household chorea will f'ill a great deal of her ttrree"
time 11 ~1d eho 1tt11l not be able to l:)e an e.ctbrP. member of'
more than on..: clubo She might play hockey or netball: but / - .
, then ehe torill not play tE'nnie~ or go up the mountain., . She
miGht go,to Sunde,y School.- but not attend o<tre:n1ng classes a.s.
' ,1. . t'le... { -:.·Jhile the 1·pper nle.sa girl wlll gc .. '- ci1RJ?.ce t? go '
for dri,ras;:; ad some friends of the family mi.gb.t ha.ve a. c~~
, 1 or hil"'e onep the m1ddJ..e class gj.rl w111· have a bicycle: ·l;md
go for rid.as 'rtit"r1 othar.g~rl friend$<
Hol1Q..ays ln a mida:•.e ·.(,'lass family '\'ti1J. very ~arely maa.n
travel _to other. town.s:: th\,. ~h they w1.ll v1s1. t relati,reu in·
the country or i_she iihole f:3.!111ly 2 , old and. youn~: :t'riend.s 2,nd
relations, will. h'1l'"e a lorry anp. go camping for long weekend~
' , or ever! a couple c:P we~ka clu.ring the Christmas holidays .. I
Cult~al activities will be conX1ned to the reading of
a boo1t0 and occae.ion.a.J. visits to t~he o1nema~
girl will !ery rarely tlave the opport.ul:tity of aee1n~ a r.lav
or attending a concert?
a radiogram in the home., but no piano,, or o.n.y othar musical
inSJtrr.Jment" There ".·till. 'be ao:me dance t'f·~<31, i.e rrnrt of·tan song .......... -
racoro.s,. but hardly\ eva:- e:ny- orchestral music A. da1.ly paper
W'Till be 'bouB}1t,. and one o.f the \oreekly ncm,::::w:•opea.n papers· .. ~ . . I
' There "t>Iill not be -vne member of a m1d.c1.L; clr::.ss fB.:11ily,. Wh9
.. 1 has not experienced poverty and. ~~rdships at some stage of
, her or h1s life,
(c) Lo\'rer Class :
l01.1er class home ..., qnly more ao, Prestige apendi~~ at tne
hee.ltho T.ne cycle of' poverty :i.s not e.lw~,ys relieved ~y
one/.,~ c, ~
(
;.;
-.
on9 of comparati·~e pr·ospEtrj;t,y1 .as the occltp::::,t::.onD.l J..i1. ·
of a labou.t·~r. \~hich in 1 ta man-y for!"ls .. e · ~~U't o'! t!'l.e low ... -.·. .. .
I
an At•tisan ·
set H.P nomr:~s 1' :>r them;~eJ.y-s;, 1n ani to c.f &I!' e,ve~-.. ~.rh ~;.·:··;.sin; \
fa~1~~ of th~ir own-
small :housi::thdld bud~ot8 ttj.ll d.ama.nd i.mecono:J:i~c.J. t~.~-y;·~:,s
Gn+y omall C!_l.tll.ntit1es ee.n. be bougr~t: ueu.ally on ._,,:..i!.•::t~,. "•:.•::o...r: . ...
' '.Tlth ti;la v~gotable ,h..,;\-rkor t,b.a '1'brea.drur:i.n11 ~~f:t~h1ll:.l.n 11 · eS
t:1a 11tt1o st1)ra at· tho ~J'\Ir·.nar. -
The.:;
l"lill. nev~r l;o r!lly e~ot.~on1c scoari ty_
oe.,uri ty1' •.
a.l.\;o,ys ·; ... -~(/~lm.·J. . . '
I
Tl:a WOi'lG::l u:tll CGJ."ry tha full l-urd.en of a l:.cu,je·*~ .·J
. ' -\?hich will 'bt;~ 'tli!'ficu~t to l"Ul,1· ~.8 th,e:·o ~;,,1 ,_ r;e he ·.e.' )tl)>-
Ut-l-Vin,n: (io";{·:l(lCil no runnins \jnter. 11hic.h \:1:!.~ ort.C!'.
teteh~d frrym e. vnt.o-~ tap usoa by sevor~l f.o ... "111lics
bucl~ete of' 11t;\tc.r aight have. to be earr1od up s~o.ircanoc . ~c:r0
yards, /• .. t:~r.c.n \';ho takcp e. Pt:.i.d.e j.n her ho!Jc l:i1). h.• V":l 1,c-
, "' .... 1' 1.aht o·o1.1.t~il\U'..lly against vermin
/
e.l\'t:ts i)o a,. daath to nourn end very JJ .. ttlo : .. J.eu'lur:·.l,
will·ha.vc r-.o }.r:.::. . ' ·~:.t ... Pl~
. l.t ti.e i'c,;;\JT.• :·';t '-'·
' .
l
'
/
·.1herL sho comeo ho~e sho uill have to scrllb and clean; . r.
/ I , ,
'by SG\'llnt;o At weel<:enqs t!1ere \'llll rru:\ely bE: Ji.ny time for· . ' ~ .
·out1nt;s c ' $hu will J:'l..a.v.e to help 'i.'Ji th th ;, l'a.wlly 't"taah1ng_. t
~"
vii til iron1ngt: cooking. 1'rto"Lhcr" ·v!i1.1 r-u.l~J tho: i.~ouse and ·will.
hold the hora-1 t.ogethe:t:•.-
Ca.nd1os0 firewood ~ml soap are the moat 1~. . · ·Ja.nt itt::-ms,
on the bude;eto . Light::. he~t a.nd oleanl1uesa tho bt·ais of e. ' -
continuo-us cl:t'i'ort. towar·CI.a decent 11v 1ng 1ti t:1..: :, . / of 11oarly . I '
:t:risurmountable I obs tao los C> ~frl..a t a long \~a:y rx~t.,: 1 t:i~ electric '
\ia~h~llg rt:a.Chipe a!1d the niahce;~_.y ):'a.dioc;raJ c:: tilO Upper class
i \ Of tr:u~ Col0U2'~d C0111.11Ul'l1ty !
'rh~r·e. ·:..e no secm•ity ~n the ·life:: o:f t::te lo\·w;c- class
f'e.mily... ; '.ClL~·l"'e is rto atri vins tol-ra.rds b. j s ~eUI'i ty h"L. t. one
acra.notl tc~f:..&ttl.el". to ensUl~ 'J. d1gr.;.itiad. exit. rrc:r.1 a tJor.l.t:. tJhi~h ' -
-The 10\•161.1 class family ha.s. OlW adve.nt.a.gu Cv e~) the
ni1ddla or upp.et' cla.sF-es <~
. -opir1t. or 7-lOi;...,htourliness which is not to b;9 found t.;. tha~
~ . ,
exte.dt. at. the:: hi.::; he~~ social 1-ovel~.
A bo1-rl of' soup:_ a.. crust o:r bread can alt;syo.-'b:;; st-ared
f"ul.~ OJ.i.C \·iho nu,::ds 1 t morc:- the...."'l oneself' o Thia :i.o ·dono lrt a
natural r.uarJllel:- l-Iith the unspoken. a.greelllent of_ 11 w!··.e.t I do f'-'r.
you to(lay. you may d) for me t;omox•:rolrc ·•
I .
n:-;ood deedar' a11d me.kea "~hem go SOUJ." on the r~'>cj.plent. I .
'l'o 'H1t~t..,evei• social lovel a family belont:;s i therQ can '
e.l\'/ays/. ~ _ , -
f
..
/<
- I
' -.,, ~.L.~ .....
themseJ.ves" ~ e.nd. \'iill de,_ h.er utnoot. touarc1s it.
nut this o.oes not seer~ t~ apply to t'ho last group, I
the lowest croup on the soc!~~l scale aa reprcn(mted 1n the ' .
f?-ctory. The fe,,r housah.olcll I. have visi t3•:1, t1~e women and _, . '
men I ba:ve met .of thin group Hoem to have ¢1 ven up the fight
to\iards a .aorc aecura ~ifejl tolrnirds a_ bet tar stnnd.~"':"d\.of
liv1n::_;.. H.zx~c> it. 1a 110t ao~.p which i-s an int:,ortent. item on
the bu.Clget. ,
T11ore :ts no b,Jdget.. Honey which ccm0s .in occa.s1ona.11y /
in small soos '~s. navar auf:fic:tent to eovol' ev"·n the d.ebts ·
\·Thich haYe b0cn incn.trred since the lB.st! )t/Ilr..t1fal1". Therefore
1 t EH?'J;rr.s nore a:pp1•opriate t., 'buy a bottle of -chorr:; '"1 th 1 t,
or a pa.ir of st<Jck5~!lL5~ to _gaii-1 lm"'ledia.t~ .. ,lca.saz-~. There is ' .
no -pattei'r! oi" l1v1n;:;, e..nd :no oJ 3~em • ac' .. -:h~l-' one exists.
______ _...,.
I
The following budgets are tentatively offered as an
indication as to distribution of Income and Expenditure
of different types of familieso
No1 claim can be made that these budgets are typical
for these particular types or families, as the samples at
my disposal have been too small to draw general conclusionso
lo
2o
3.
The figures were arrived at by the following means:
Questlonnaires of the type attached were disao tributed to 60 families, of which 15 were · returned completedo
In my capacity as Welfare Officer at the Factory I administer the Workers 8 Mutual Aid and Benefit Fund. Any worker who requires financial aid has to submit particulars as indicated 1n the Questionnaire. In this manner approximately 50 Budgets were collectedo
In casual interviews with workers,. when visiting their homes! hire purchase commitments, .the high cost of liv ng teco was discussed, and particulars were noted by me after the completion of the interviewo
The following Budgets are representative of the
Colaured Section of the Factory only. The few Malay
girls of well•to-do homes could not supply me with par
ticulars of their family's Budgets, and their fathers
were not keen on doing so~
' Where lower-class Malay homes are concerned, Budgets
are similar to that of "Marie and her Family", Budget
Noo 3o
In the following Budgets in each case a month is
taken as four week~.
\ '
lo The Famili o't "FRANQEgn - an u1mer middle class HOIU!to
(For Biography see Page 81
Household Budget Q 6 Adults
,I!iCOM£\i: Per Week fei Montb Oc.cupa;!rion
lo Father: Music Teaeher
2o Mother: Housewife
3· Frances: Factory Worker
'4o ·Sister:
;() Brother:
6o' "Granny"
EXPENDITURE:
Grocer Milk· .Butcher Vegetables Bread
REN! • • 0
n
" Pensioner
oeo
Cloth'ing/Household Linen ·Repairs/Cleaner Train/Busfares
" tt
(European)
• 0 •
•• 0
0 0 0
• 0 0
Hire P,urchase C> new equipment oo•
Telephone/Electricity/Water/Tax •o
Part-time maid · 0 0 0
Pocket money - three children •o•
Entertainment/Cigarettes/Newspaper
Lodge/Burial Society/Church dues.,.
- - approx<>£30o Oo 0
- ... -£4o le 0 £16o 4o 0
£1.154) 0 £ 7o Oo 0
£3o Oo. 0 £12o Oo 0 ~ '\ .' :£ 4ol0o 0
£69~14o ·o
Per Week Per Month
£1o 15o 0 £ 7o Q,. 0 4o 2
'a 16o 8
2o o. 0 0~ 0 l:l
· .,...,15e 0 3· Oo 0
-. Bo 0 lol2o 0
5o 2. 2 20o 8o 8
7ol0o 0
7o 00 0
2o Oo 0
3o 7o 6 4o Oo 0
(approx) 2. 0·._, 0
2. Oo 0
5a Oo 0
,80 o. 0
2ol0c 0
£ 63ol6o 2 .I'~ f.;~ :t~,'.
. INCOME •• Q ••o £69cl4<D 0
EXPENDITURE: !100
.
2. The ]~amilr of "MAGGIE": - a poor middle class homeo
(for Biography see page ~·
Household Budget: - 3 Adults: 1 Childo '
IN COM§: Occupatigq Per.week Per Month
lo FaUlert Pensioner - £2ol5'o 0
2o Mother I Occasional work - 3o Oo 0
3o Maggie a Factory Worker £ 4. 1. 0 16o 4o 0
4o Sisters occasional help - 2o Oo 0 (ch:J.ld)
£ 23ol9o 0 •= 4
EXPENDITURi ::. Per !tek . Per Monttz
Grocer £ 1. ;0 0 £5o Oo . Milk -o 3'o 9 =ol'o
Butcher· -.lOo 0 2o Oo Vegetables -.12. 0 2o 8u Bread -& 3o 6 14~
£ 2ol4o 3 lOol?o
RENT o•• •eo o·o o 17o 6 3ol0o
Clothing/Repairs/Household 000 appro:xo 4o Op
Fares .. Maggie •. 0 () 18o
Pocket money - Maggie, child. e·oo 5o 6 lo 2o
Burial Society/Church dues 000 lo 2o
£ 2lo 9o
·llfCO¥!) -• o·• • 0 0 o•o
E;E;l?NDlTURE. ••o eoe • • £2le 9o 2
The Budget Blakes n:o allowance for any •extras v , such as fares for the parents, newspapers, cigarr;tttes, entertainment, or any quarterly or annual expenditures. No allowance .is made for loss ot earnings through illness. ,
0
0
0 0
0
0
0
0.
2
0
0
2
3t). +Pfl FamilY of "MARIE". o a poor-lower class home~
(Io'or Biography see page 97 .)
·Hc..tsehold ·Budget: 1 Adult, 3 Chiidreno
. · INCOMEa Occu:nation ' lo ·Marie.:
2o · Rachels·
3o Sister:
4o Sister:
· EXPE@ ITpRE 0
.Grocer Milk Vegetables Meat
RENT doo
Ironer
School 12
fl - 8 ff = 4
000
Clothing and Repairs
Fares: :Marie, Rachel.
Church dues/Burial Society
INCOME 000 • • •
. EXPENDITURE • 0 0
years
" ..
060
•• 0 .
000
Per Week
£4a '"' Lo 0
... .. --
Per week
£le Oo 0,
~-· 5'0lO -olOe 0 .,. ; .. 0
-~ o..o OolO
-.12o 6
-o 15'o 0
«> •.
£16. 4o 0
£15'o 6o 6
The Budget makes no· allowance for any oext.ras ~, for illness or any new purchaseso
•
Per Month
£16~ 4o 0
"'
~";:)
<::::>
£ 16o4o 0 ===== .
~
Per t!unth
£ 4. Oo 0 lo 3o 6 2o Oo 0
le 0,) 0
Bo 3::~ 6
2Gl0o 0
3o Oc> 0
lo lo 0
-ol2o 0
£ 15. 6o 6.
• 40 JOINT INCOME THROUGH HOUSING SHORTAGE
e
Three !amilies liVing 1n thfte rooms with gne kiteh~1~ · pooling resourceso A trp1ca example:
INCOME: Occu~atiog I
~r Week Per Mont
lo Mother (widow) Factory Worker £ 4o lo 0 £ 16o 4o C
2o (a) son (married) (b) Wife " 3C) (a) Daughter " (b) Husband "
Driver Factory Worker
At home Forem~n ~ Factory
(1) child o 3 years old (ii) child o 1 year old
4. Daughter (Unmarried)
Factory Worker
!!ouseholg Budget: 2 Adylts, 2 Children:
JOINT QPEtiDI4URE:
4o lOo 0 18. Oo 0· 4o lo 0 16o 4o 0
0 .. -7o16') 2 3lo 4o 8
-- -lo17o 6
£ 89o 2o 8
' Per Week Per Uont.
lo Rents 000 0 0 0 000 £ lo Oo 0 £ 4o Oo 0
2o Grocer Milk Butcher/Fish Vegetables Bread Wood
.
2.10o -. Bo 2ol0o 1. Oo -.10. -0 4o
0 lOo Oo 0 9 lo 15'o 0 0 lOo Oo 0 0 4o Oo c 0 2. Oo 0 0 - 16o 0
£32.llo c
RENT AND FOOD PER HEAD (children taken as adults)
••• '4g lfi! 4dQ a mont
DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME PER FAMILY :
~come·per Month Expendjture FAMILY la Rent i Food,
io ·Mother (1) £16o 4o 0 £4o 1. 4 11. Unmarried daughter (4) 7ol0o 0 4. 1. 4
£ 23ol4o 0 £ 841 2. 8
FA!!ILX I;i; !'
10) Husband (son ""' 2(a) £. 18o Oo 0 £ 4. 1. 4 11~ Wite ( -2(b). 16o 4o 0 4. 1. 4
£34o 4o 0 £ 8. ?.o ~
FAMILY III
1o Husband (3(b)) £ 3lo 4o 8 £ 4e lG 4 11o Wife (daughter 3(a)) = 4. lo 4
(1) child - 3 years old 4. 1. 4 (11) ehild ,.., 1 year old ~ 4. 1. 4
£ 3lo 4o 8 £ 16. 5o 4
As the keeping of a joint household reduced the cost of living for Rent and Food for each family considerably there is sufficient money lett to cover all other requirements for each familyo
, .
- "2 -
4. JOINT INCOME THROUGH HOUSING SHORT~~:
The tw~ young coup:.:asr Family II and. Family !II, will most probably have committed themselves_ to the amount of £150•£200 1n order to buy furniture and household equipment for their future homea. This will have -been done on Hire Purchase on the laJ-by system whereu1 the goods remain in the store.untl~ required, while regular payments are made.,
Tnical "Purchases on Hire Purchase are as follows:-
lo Bedroom Suite ••• £68~ 00 0 ,.
' ;
2e Kitchen Dresser, etc. 24. Oc 0
3. Linen, Blankets,- -Curtains, Lino ( 30. Oo 0 • .o • ••o
4.- Radiogram ••• • • 0. 34! o. 0
156. Oo 0
A Dining Room Suite is come times added • • • • 45~- OG 0
.£ t9l.~ o. 0
Commitments of this description are undertaken in cases where the monthly income of husban0. and. wite is approximately·£30 to £40, when both members et the family are workingo ·
Immediately the wife falls pregnant and her earnL~g power is reduced to nilt commitments continue ot'er years, but it is often a near impossibility to carry·on with regular payments~
Debts are incurred, poverty sets in - the v:IEcious circle has startedo
,
1· Typical Case asking for h lp from the Wotiers' Mutual Aid ~-~ nefHc Fund,
Household Budget: 3 Adults, - ..... _
? childreno
THE FAHILI:
.mcou: . oesmiH!~ ion ·Per Week
l. Husband Building Trade £ 3. 9o 0
2o Wife Factory Worker · 2. Oo 6 (1) child School -(11)ehild At. home ..
3o Mother ot Pensioner -Wife
EXPENDITURE:
Food/Cleaning materials, etc. • • • • appro:x. Lodge/Burial Society/Church dues " 0.
Running repairs, etc. " •••o Fares to an(l from work " •••• Rent " •••• •••o Hire Purchase commitments on furniture Store account (household requirements,
clothing etc{)
••• • •• £24.13. 0
EXPENDITURE ••• ••• £24~10~ 0
eommitments to go og for some time.
9D Hire fgrcb§Se a · Still to pay:
Kit~hen •••• .£18o o. 0 Din ·ng Roa
... Suite •••• JO,. o. 0 ·Store a\} ~ount •• 15'. o. 0
£ 63. o. 0
fel Montho
. £13ol6o 0
So 2o 0 -. 2ol5'o· 0
"£ 24ol3o 0
Per Month
£10o Oo 0 11) Oo 0 1.. Oo 0 l.lOc 0 4(> Oo 0
4o o. 0
3o Oe o· £ 24.10. 0
At the time of application for financial aid the husband was out of work as he has seasonal work only, one of the ch1ldren was sick. The family had got in arrear with hire purchase payments and WKS t~eatened with removal of furnitureo Doctors' and Chemist bills l.i.ad to be met, and the rant \7as in arrear. Grocer and dairy bills had accumul8ted.
~UESTI ONNAI~.
{Used as basis for enquiries)~
I. .FAMILY PARTICULARS: Members of household:
II.
NAME. AGE.
1.
~.
3 ..
4.
5.
RELATIONSHIP TO YOU. (Worke~).
WEEKLY OCCUPATION. . .':AGE.
tit' any}.
YOUR HOME: If' you yourself are a boarder or lodger - please say soo
1. Does the hous e. be long to any member of the family -----
Do you still pay off on it?._ How much: •,·hat rates: __ _
2. Is the House/Flat/Room rented? (Underline which it is)_ .. __ _
What rent does your family pay (per week/or ~onth?} ----How many rooms are there? Kitchen: Bathroom: ------ -----Yard: ______ Garden: _______ Vegetable Patch? ________ Fowls ______ _
3o Is all your furniture paid off?_If not I) how much to pay ___ _
How much have you paid already: ______ ~How much per week? ______ __
Do you still pay anything else off beJ.onging to the Home? . ~ ··.
(Frigidaire, stove, washing machine etc.) __________________ _
How much paid? _________ To pay: _______ How much per week ______ __
4. Do you, or your parents, pay any help at home to look after
anybody at home? How much do you pay: ____ .....; IIIs YOUR FAMILY:
1. Is anybody in your family permanently sick What is the ---trouble? ___________________ Does he/she get a ·pension? ____ __
How much _______ _
2. Does anybody in the family get an old agen pension How much - -3. Does anybody get money from Childlife? ___ How much._ __ _
4. Does any .member of your family get supper·;. from anybody ~
living at home? (For instance. non-support ) ___ How much ___ _
5. Does any member of your family support anybody not living with
you? ___ _ How much ------'l. v/
QUESTIONNAIRE CONTD.
, IV. • YOUR HOUSEHOLD BUDGET (Or your mother's, or whoever keeps house):
1. Does any member of the family keep an account with any store or
shop ____ What do you buy there.: _______________ _
_____________ How much do you pay per month/week __
How much does your hou.sehold cost you (per week or month i ___ _
Grocer Milk Butche.r Vegetables Bread ___ _ --/ ~·
Any other expenses?( cleant*.ffs materials, washing etco} ------
v. Any other e!Penses? Do you, or any other members of your family
pay towards a burial society, lodge, church does, save up for a weddingp anything else? _________________________________________ _
Burial Society: How much do you pay ____ ~All other members ____ _
Church dues: How much do you pay ______ ~All other members ______ _
Lodge: ___ How much do you pay __ ..-All other .members ____ _
Any other expenses? (newspaper, classes~?~-------------------------------------------
Did you have to pay Personal Tax this year? ______ How much.~? __ __
Any other member of the family? ____________ How much? __ ~----
Did anybody have to pay Income Tax? -----Have you any debts you have to pay off weekly or monthly? ______ __
(Doctor, Dentist, or any other) How much to pay ott ----How much do you pay per week/month ----Have 5 .>u any oth·er income or ~><.lrnings, &han mentioned already?
' .
CIL\.PT ER IV :
P~ge: ___.... ........ ...
•
:in~1 .Loner Class ho:'ics \'tere r.:ainl.y . 112 visited ••••eoeoo•o•••••9o•••
q.:~t ... • ;.-c~~o ~ l '"· .l..F!. ... A. • 0 ·• e • o- '* • o A • a • o • • • e • • ·0 • • o ,., o • • ,, o t1 • a
[;_ j Her daily life s Lmne ~md t.'unil:/
b·) .f'· ... ~_d.ine; prapn.rat.lons ...................... o
c) ":.(~ oJeddinr.~ (la~r : .... , ...... a.ooo ....... .
' .. '..J ~ wedding custc:.E 0 •••••• ··~ •••••••••
,; .. "l '·' .
!"1,-r I' 1 ·'t. ·.a .. - ·':" ..... "" ...... T. a-it~o-n · - r~" 1" 4••• ra , ...... ~ ... u '"...:. .J..IJ;t . ............ .
eocial life
_ .......... ~-----
113
115
118
11~
121
123
124
/
0 112 0
'riTE I.:ALAY ·.;m,:..c~.N AT HOME.
l,o :iJJ:IY LO.lER. Ck.SS IIO:KES ·,mr<E K.-\.INJ.,~Y VISITED: .
I
r
'
;•/hen desci'i bing the Cape -l:1alay _group within
the factory community, I stated tha~ this groupt in
contrast to the Coloured group, was not representative
of. the social- coi!l.posi tion of the Malay Community in.
Ce.pe Tovm..,
I stated that the social.standing of a person '
was closely li-nked with their ca.P?.bili ty to .adhere to I
reliEt;ious d_)mandso Religi.ous demands in turn
·nocesnitute economic wealth.
A large family, hospitality on a large scale
at family functions and OJ?- religious fea'ot days, the /
Filr-;rimagc to' 1-~eccu, the payment of Zaka -' all this· ,. costs noney '- money which has to be earned ov~r and
above the daily necdso A family of t!,ood social ' . standing rJi 11 therefore be synonymo~s with !1 well-to-
do family. Theil" daughters, sisters, vd ves and I
mothers will not be found working in a f'actoryo· '
The ~ .. :alay tJomart working in a. factorJ r.1ight
be un unmarried member of the middle clasB com.,"!unityo
She v:~.11 ms.inly \7C)rk to cover expenses of e.n elaborate '
wedding feast, und to g~t a dowry. She mi ·~ht o.lso be
a' married \,1omJ.n '\;'i th a e;rown-up_ family, who '\'Jill work .
for som8 time to enable some. members of the family to
go to :·ecca.
But the· great or number· of t:alay women in the ·
factory Tiill be o~ the lower class, who are forced to
supplc;!lent the fanily income to keep it on or above the I . ' .
p011erty datum line P as .their husbands or fat'it~n·s· are -unable to 'supDo:rt~ their large familY adequ:ttelyo
They/ a. o o •o o o·
/
oll3 <:>
They ·n.izht c:..lso be women '>Jho have been deserted by
their husb::uids, or young·-r,-,~omen YJho have to support
age<;l parents.
'l'hese ar~e the women whose homes I visited and
whose families I got to know. ~
The majority of the 1:calay women _workin{~ at the
factory live in "Cape Town'' - that is, ~n District Six,
the ·area around Hanover, Street, in the "Malay ~2uartcrs,"
in s~ll streets branching off Bree Street~ in houses . l . creepfnt~ up on:t along the slopos .of Signal Hill. Cmall
numl)ers live in municipal flats erected on the Cape
Flats, in little housesnestline around a tosque in
.:;.thlone and ~.lsies River, 3;t Claremont', ConAtantia and
Grassy Fark. I
FATI?f.A: I spoke of the different atnosp}lere one can
feel ..illG. experience 'When visittnG the different areas,,
where 0oloured, ;.:nl_ays and Europeans nix, alt'i:fYS one
group predorr.inunt .• The cro1.1ded ~· sometimes roudy . slum-
utmosghere of th-e !-Ianover Street area, the-'1 select'•
.... lsni ty of Fiilmer .:state, purts of tynberc;, .l:enil\-:orth 9
etc., o.nd the t:aiety of an Italiu.n vil:' a:::e street on a
surru::.er evenine at Gleemoor or along Klipfontein Roadn
I have spoken of the neiGhbourhood spirit ·which I.
is particularly strone in the overcrov1ded arcu.s. i'\.11
this - f<ifety, c.ol·our, the solrit -'of eood.,·:iJ,>. a.s
expressed in royc.l tospitc.lity, friendliness and human
v1armth - vJill be epitomised in the spect ;tole of a rl:alay
i'teddineo
• .:.. }~ ·r>-ny \'Jedding ·is a hiehly dra:r.:et1c evento !
\";ould like to describe the life of on? of our fe:ctory
cirls to~urus ~nd beyond the very big event in her
existence - Per wedding.
C.he/.,ooool1•o
.•'
She. cqmes fron o r_ood home, u far1ily of
· t<~~lors over t}ener<l~ions: -•:;ho live in the.ir own house I '
in· one of the col)ble-stonecr streets which \dnd t!lcl.. r'
·, way up Signal Hill. at nn CO degree. an~:jle - 80 degrees
at least; it sQcns /to tl1e brc~th-seekinp;, p!inting
,.
I l
pedestrian, crawling u.p. that hillo ·
Fatima is 23 years old., Sbe ~s u beautiful
girl of slender build, v;ith delicately carved _features'·
big brown eyes ,slontlnr; ~t the ed:3es, bla.c1c strw.igl;l.t
' hair,· &.1Wayr3 covered by o. "doek 9 "
the firm for over sevsn years and is known as a very
capable and reliable t"Iorker. "
Her bro,ther is also "learning the· trade" in our
factory, and will most proba.)?ly gradually bu:i.ld up a
clientele in evening work, until he is suft'icientiy t,;ell
established to star'·. on his m·J~ or join his fathe:r as an
· independent t'3.il6ro
Fa time. is the eldest girl· in the family e She
has four more !:iisters, and three hrotherso One brother
and one sister ;1rs married and live 'I.·Jith t:-teir ,.;j_ves and ' I
' /
young families .. in t.he big roomy nineteenth century lv:?use,
with its sq_u~1t, unprepossessing· fascade.
Steep stone stairs lead up fron the street to
the ground floor of the house. Clever use has been '
made by the builder of the possibilities of a foundation I
slanting in its level, and laree cool rJoms with bigh,
wooden-beamed cei-lings stretchine n:way from the I street
entrance. It is reminiscent of sirn.ilar c m.structions
under similar conditions around r:ontt!iart!e, .near. Sacre ·
Coeur. Instead of Faris at one'~ feet, one has the
different but equally beautiful view of Cape Tm:m
nestling egaj.nst the mountain, and the harbour in 1 ts
b~ueness/o•eooeco
·,·
-'
'
• «> 115 <:>
blueness ~iving the picture a splash of colourQ ·The
15alay craftsmen were clever builders. • •
·a) Fatima: He~ da.ily !ife, h:.?_Ee and famil~:
Fatima is a dutiful daughter .. · She was betrothed I
to a young Lalay at the age of 17o The parents of the
youn;.s p~op.le arranged the match as tt ~:vas thought most
• beneficial to p1,l concerned.
I
Since the.t .time, now six years ago, Fatima has
be.en busy with preparations for he.r wedding, and has ,
been receiving v;eekly instructions as to her duties ,as
a wife. .~ certain amount, of Fatima's wages are put
aside wee~ly to be contributed towards wedding ~xpenses, ' /
and to 1buy materlals to be w..ade up for th.e trousseau.
She is an· excellent needlewoman and. loves
embroidering. l!:Vcning after evenin.g ·she will sit1 , .... .......
1· home _and do em,broidery. I
Under\vea..r and p:!.llov1cases, 1
bedcover.s and do~ lies in· shiny satiny mat~rial, in 1'ine
co,tton, linen or sllk. 1 ,She will ""iak.e her own dresses t
though not her wedding dresses, which will be given 'to
her by some of her rel-atives .. .... Fatima has a ru:.r day. It starts at 5 aomo l..'lhnn
she gets up to help her mother make breaki'ast for ·the
fanil v, cut sandwiches, and tid.y up the room she share~ ' "'
v:ith two sisters. At se\~n o 1 clock·sh~ l~aves the bouse-/ ' .
to walk down the steep road to catch a bus·to the factory.
She w:i.ll sit at her l!lachine from 8 a.n. t~ 5.:30 p.n.,
t.ake part in. th~ rush for buses back to tovm_, and climb .
u~ the hill to her house. She will rarel·y get home
before 6.30 P•':lo
Twice s. ·week after dinner and ·;.;ashing-up, she
v.rill go ta tl~ Imam's •.:Ji fe where she and ot.her young
girls will rece:tve instruction in the relic;t'ous-ritual
oblieations/••••··~·
i
I
0 115 0
·,
obliGations of a young l.:uslim wife-to-be. She ,.Jill
.rr:emorise .:-i.rabic pray:ers and learn at what occasions they
~ave to be spok~n. She will learn what role she has to
play on days of festivals, fasts e.nd of mourning. . .
On many occasions before her own wedding she will
be invited to be a bridecnuid, to help prepare wedding
feasts and learn how to cook and bake according .to Cape
t.aalay customs. She will never be allowed to eo out
.':!lone in the evening, but then there is no necessity to
find entertainment outside her own ho!f!.e,·or that of
friend and relatives, as the house will alweys be full I
of people, buzzing with activity.
To tabulate the number or people living in a
1..:alay home·, to find their relationship to each other, . is
a· near impossibility - and in any case a rather confusing
expcrienceo
F$ti~a•a home·consists of six rooms and a large
entrance hall-cum-loune;e. Of the six rooms five are
bedrooms., One room Fatima and her two yoLng sisters. •
share. ~-..not her is occupied by her parents. The third
by the unmarried broth~rs. The two remainine; rooms are
.occu-pied by the Il1E:irried children and their fanilieso
nut then there is also "Granny," wl.~.o is over 70
nnd sleeps somewhere, there arc alv;ays more children \
than can be accounted for, there is always some aunt or
cousin or friend staying for a visit. ThE-re e.re the
neighbours to tf1e left ana right· v;ho are also relations ..
:::.nd living in each other's kitchens, helping .11th this
and that, or ·just chattlng. Father 1s a t.ailor and works
in one of the rooms, he has tvJo apprentices, young lads,
r~l!ited to the old mano .l!riends, neiehbours, relations,
custor.10rs are constantly' coming and going, a cheerful
' bustle/ ••••••••
..
• 117 0
bustle, v;hile the SLJ;~ll or garlic,. onions and curry
escapea from ~he kitc..hcn c.nd produces a fitting·olfaetory
. baokeround to it~ ·aot:!.vities.-,
The whole life of . Fatima and her fa.'1lily cent :res
around religious_ festivals and· donestic highlights, such
as Birth• Death and Marriage •. l
Th~. kinsllip eroup is a large one, the older
generation leading and dictating the lives of the
younger. A marriedson,with children o.f hts own will
submit to his·frither•s ~ishes. The brothers and sisters ,/
o_f the parents with families of their own, who again are ..
married, with off-spring are part of the family group.
;~s farailies are large and a family group· includes
three or ... 'our eenerations, there are ap_proxim.ately 60 to
80 close relations, .:mch as aunts,_ uncles, nieces,
~ep~ews, etce Somewhere within the ,:;~roup there will
ah::ay's be a child born, a death.t a weddlne or a religious
festival wi:ich demands p·reparation and offers or extends
hospitality.
There \';ill always be wio.ows and children in the
far.'.ily v1bo wou.Ld be d.esti tute if it were not for the
·assist~nce given to them.py their relations, and there
will be othe'rs who will be able to afford the pilr;rimae;e
to I:eccaf ar;d on their return will brine honour to the I
whole clan_by'h?ving become Hadjies •
.fo;ati:ma cornea froi!l a good middle class family •
. That means that she vwill have to invite to her weddiD;e
a~out 300 people, but will have to cater for about 400.
-she will have three wed dine dres·ses into which
she tiill change in the course of the afternoon of 'her
V1eddin0:. day .and present herself to her euests ouch tiPle '
:1 ~'·:ly-adorned. But not only that. Her bridesli:aids,
the/•••••Qo•
\..
/
-118 .. I
the flower-girls <;llld page-boys will also change to
fit into the colour scheme of the bride's outfit. If
she comes from a family who still hold to old tradition,
a horse-drawn ca:rri~,e3s, tJ::te .horses decorated _with plumes
in the . colour. of 'th~ bride's frock, v;ill drive her through
town from relation to relation. But more often, todayt
a limousine is hired a11d v isi t:!.11 ; is done by oar.
b) WeddJnf.i·preparations: One ~.lay, e. month before the
wedding, I will receive a daintily 9rinted invitation:
''l~~r .. and t:rs •••••c••• request the pleasure •••••••.•,..
Fatima vdll come to my of~iCE and ask for leave
to help with the wedding preparations. Bhe has to
visit all near relations and friends and invite them
personally. Great baking and cooking will go on i.n her - . , .
house. .,..;,11 friends. and neighbours participating. in, the
preparations ..
The house will haye to be re-a.rraneed to accommo-
date all the guests that are expected. E'll.rniture has to
be remov_ed, long tressle tables, ar .d benches put in their
place, a platfo;rm with a "baldachine'' erected, under
which the bride und her retin:te w.Lll take turns with the . .
~
bride1room and his bestmentto receive the congratulations
of the wedding guests. I
The home of the brideeroom will also be bustling
VJi th activity. Here the meal has to be prepared which
the bridersroom, after the religious ceremony at ·the
mosque, has to send to his·bride in acknowledp:ement or· his neYJ responsibili~ies. Dishes w~th nalay delicacies
\
daintly arraneed u.re wrapped in celophane will be ready
to be despatched.
c) The ·:,·ea.dins Day: ~he day will F1tart wi tb. prayers
an.d ceremonial ablutions in preparation of the religiou.s
l'
I I_
I
... 119 0 - '
cere~onyo \
But· the bridec;roorr: only ·will attrrnu the
service at the nosque as the Bri<l(:1 nill be: ei ven !l\7ay
by proxyo
The croom ·:rill have ·to ::>rove his worth' of • \ I
takiD:g a vli.f'e u:·on himself to tho fat;her of the bride~
or her guardian, by ·recitine ·relevant portLions of the
' Koran in ·.~i.lbic. t •
\ .
The Imam, Had jies • s.nd '.elders of the community
\1ill sit in· JudBament of his accomplishr5.ents·.. Be\vare. \.
the nerVOUS groom \'lhO stutters and falters in his text •
He has to sta~t a1-1: over, again·.
In a uhite robe, surrounded in a semi-circle by I
the t:alay conmunl ty, all sitting cros~legged in stockin~ed )
feet with fezzes coverinr~ ~heir hel::tds, he \!ill face the
C0Ilh1~ity. ! ' .
His recitation t.•Iil:l be ounctuated by prayers ,-'
. chat:ted by al;t{ men, swaying e.nd bowinr,~ in the direction. I,. \.... of tec6ao
- . The f1.1,ther 01' t;he bride will name n sum of money,
stipu~o.ted by the bride, ;·1hich the groom has to pay.
T~is is in torm of a token,-and has to be used by the.
bride in suo.~· :t \"UlY that the bridegroom qoes not benefit r '
by it,. Toe.t~t ~h!s. sum amounts to betVJeE;)n £2 and £5.
ThJ":J i women are not allovmd to r:nt:er .he floor
of the I;ooql10' ::- a spe~ial n.:tace had been cleared for me . to attend tqfs particular ceremony •
. . l VH~S placed on ·a .chair in such a wav that my
feet could uot touch the· Praying Carpet,, looking dovm
upon a s~e of rl)d Jl.Dd black fezzes, some decor~ted tiy
black tussels • ' ~!'hose were the- Radjies.
It was <.1. strange experieJ?:ce. hut I could not help -super-imposing upon this picture of the Eust the otner ·
' surroundings/ •••• 0 • e 0.
I
·•
- 1~0 ..
'I
Eu.rrvundincs I k,nm·; so muny of the raen in o - Big
steai?-p:r:csses, electric 1IW.chines, the noise :1nd smell I
I o.R_ ... .<L CJ. orv I d. .!..E .. 1\J ". •
''
- th "' - 1 • • -, .l.ll • e IDv8...u.\' ll~..t.O, !i'-'tl.·,r.-~·l ·,:,.,,.:., buoy .·~ ... e.c:!c.-·;n,.,. · _ ...... _ ..... _ ... ~ ............. t'>J
helped by some of the women, \7hile- others got th~
tables ready for the receptiono ·1. tower of a iveddi~g
cal-~e, beautifully decorated, b:.)ted by one or. the Ealay
men '!J;ho speci~;1J,ise in this ·.vork, \';us :put in the T!JO!n
where the br~de \'Joule!. sit. Flutes :·Ji tl: biscl,li ts, all
home-made 'accordine; to old recipes, t.!Dd little dishes ' I •
\1ith hople-ms.de konfyt··, ·rJi th nutc and raisins, ~Jere put ''
on the tables whict \'Jere decorn.ted ,,'Ji th paper ~irla.ndes
and flowers.
Froci 2.30 p.,m .• on~vards ruests st.arJted to stream
r in. I·ost.ly . ycunc \·Jomen ,. ~s th~ olde:r ones were still. ·
busy t;! th tho 9reparutions, or waitihr; at. thGir 'homes
! for tAe bride to· -visit them. ten, many in dinner sults,,
o.nd ~11 ,:Ji til fezzes' relations and f'riends of the. bride \
and trideeroom, dlr.ected tP.e woman to their tu'oles, but
did not sit down t:qet'lsel ves.
Ttie is t~1e only occ~sion where t~1e men serve· the
I
Gra6~~11Y. the rooms filled. Girls -perched (
cl-osely together, 1beautifully dl~essed an~ m.ade-up, some
;yi t,h doeks, Others wearing yashl•naks, Bat silently, until
one of the men intoned a t'leddinr. song. .The 't'Jomen fell'
-in and soon the house reverberated \Ji th highly pitched I
voices chuntine' song after song of ace-old r~therlands
and ;d'rikaanf.1 li.edjies in the rythm of lonz,d.ra.Y{n rz:.ono-
tonous chants, '.Phe smell of ince,nse hun~ over the
rooms. _Along the \'lalls, in the doormi~r, '!len ~tood . I .
~ ... ielcominr:; new .guests, cold drinks, plhtes Tiit~ <
sweets/ ••••.••••
\
•
- 121 -
~M<) • ~= -·?~ -~ ~ o ,·
m·reetso . The street outside i'Jas filled \":1 th childl"en
.1nd \7omen •::!'lo U.J.tched the sp~ctacle o
Then subdued e~·ci tenent - the bride had
arrived. -~ ~~·ay tias c.leurcd as the' stutely .proc?seion
wallted in. The bride in her \::-tite lace frock. the
train curried by 9inuto ~irls in long d_r.esses and tiny
boys in \'!hi te ja~oed dress suits, .brides-maids bea.uti-. .
fully dressed - all h~~vil:,· :nude-up. The· brtde '~ore
:.:t 1 edora. Eer face '::as covered by a veil. · :1 thout
~ovement she sat under the buldachine surrounded by
her retinue. Cnc by one the guestz came uo to con-
.:r!.4tulatc her, 1·:hile t!-:c others s.ing on. _Hardly a word
.~ftcr half an hour or so of si ttino: in . -state, tho bride :..nd her followers· lea.ve a~ain.
·-,\.t on 1 v1eddin(~ I attended, I followed the bride
~herevsr she went. _.1_ strenuous proeraxune the girl has
to fulfil. .Yron Sir~nal Hill we ..-;ent off through to-:rm
to .·.tnlo·ne. There another house- had a f~sti ve air..,
though ~more sttbdued ~ Sbe wns received by her ~.·;omen
relations, hustled\into·one room to change into another
frock. This ti~c li~ht blue.
B..1ck aqain to the reception - tlhere in the
, neanr:hile tho br1de[!ro6n an9- bis attendunts ho.d sa.t· in
state under the bulduc~rie. By the time the bride cane
back, he had left. Acain u bi~ entrance was made, new
coneratulations received with murmured "dunkte's." In
the m~anv:hile sortc of th'e men with luden trays were ~oing
from door to door in the neighbourhood off'er.ing food to
' ... 11 t· ose 1.1ho 11 ved near?y, but were not cu..ests at the .we
t.eG.dineo Coloureds a.nd _:. u~o.ys. alik~ \~ere invited to
po.rtici.octe.
. I A'"~'o.in/. I> •• !, • o •
I •
. r:..go.in the brlde 'departed~ to D. .house in
:.'oodstock and the same procedure \'Ull::i enacted ..
'.ihile this \JaS ooj U~"~' on the mother c..ncl. other I ~ • C.">.,
relntio~s of the bridegroom were btwy. eetting tl_le
bridal chamber :ready for the young cou.:;jle.
;::'room .in a nemi-detached l;ousc, furnished ·viith the
usual "mahoe;any bedroom sulte'*· bought on hj.re purchase
from a s·to!'e ~ ·was transformed into e. f,lOdcrnised' '1Thousand
Satin and silk hanBing,
embroidered linen, flmners af:id incense ..
..:i.ccording to custom the bride and bridegroom ' . l
should meet in th:i.s roo~ for the·· :Lirst time. Tbe bride \
in SiD old dress, ·with ~ shawl over her he:.Hf accompanied.
by cryine; elderly V>'Om~n ·should vve.lk to her new home to
~rove that glamour has been left behind and sbe is
· [ ready to su."timi t to the new master and nevJ duties o
' But this is done very rarely today, end I only
experienced tt.i s tru1sfor:n;.utlon once, out of the m9;ny
weddings I ~ant to over the pus~ three years, and of
the many I heard about., Usually aft'er thr-: last change
· trc.di tion is broken tod_ay for the sake of the phototJrti.pher.
B:ri.de e.nd Bridegroom and their retinues meet to have many
pictures taken as permanent records of the· most important
'de.y of their lives when once, for 12 ho\frs they were tho
leading act;ors in a~ I!:aster~ fairy talE., fur removed from
their ordinary life of hardship ar-d poverty t of C·onyeyor
belts and clockcards .. . .
For a whole week after the wedding the bride has
to stay at tome, attired in one' of her weddin~ cowns ·to I ~
receive visitors and. their congratulations.·
.H. girl of a middle class family will very rarel;,.' ,
come back to ,.,orK after her marriae.o.. · \)ut there are
. only/oto•••••
only very fe·\v girls of middl::: cl ;:r:; !'~-:ti.lies in the
In spite of t!:is many J\ . .iJors have a \'Jed dint;
feast· as elaborate as Patina's, c.tly it is without the
secure economic buckgrouncl of ~ r, :.:i.ile class girl~>·
4:o 011DIJA: TR.\.D:fTION :\.ND REALITY.
I
There is Gadija, for instu ce. Kaney will be
saved over years for the great occt•~lion~ Every penny
saved by al~ members of the family ~ill pe spent in one
grea1; display, in one gesture of ro~tal hospitality o
Gadija will work up to the day. of h:-r ::edding, she vJill
come back t9 work u. couple of.days J..:.lter. But -not for
Soon ·she will be pregnant. an,\ have to leave her
job. Her husbe:nd a ce.rpenter, earns !.ipproxim,ately £5
a weeko Gadijf;.'s savings \vill have b.en epent on her
weddinG and trousseauo Abdullah t,s on 1ayinr the first ,
instaln.ents on furnitureo Now, when :.;; is most im·• '
po.rtant th~tt there should be some fre·ef:Jlll from "v'lorry;
money difficulties start. 1.dte bride ! :i.cb.t have a large l •
troussenu.. 1 but not have enough money tr p:r.-epare for the
: · birth ot.her baby •. She Will have s~e·t hundreds of
. pounds to entertain wed~ing guest:.;, bu s~1e vJill not· be
able to a~ford ·a pint of milk daily.
This is the other slde oi' .tb,c ·cture.
Tradition, the romantioisr-t of an Easter~. ·\.dry talc ,
enacted f'or one day, ut the cost of secPri t~~ ::nd health • of a .life-tir:.e.
This might sol!1.nd grossly over-stnted, hut i-t' one
1 · has experienced in one's capacity as socicl worker the
same story over and over again - tt-e stru:-:r;le of a mother
to kF...1ep her family in. food and clothing, of diseatJe and ' illness in the home orten caused by ignor~uce and
malnu·~·.rition/ o. o o o ....
. I
.. 1.2-? ..
mul.nutrition then one is invi"t;ed by the SW!le mother
to a Ilalay v1eddinc in bi(S style - followed by misery I '
und illness, an9. of:ten death of e. nevdy-born b:;;.by -
one starts' vmndoring, is ~ t v1orth 1 t,?
Does tradition warrant suclt sacrifice in human
health?
On the other. hand, these very traditions give
the t·:alay a reeline of self-respec~, · of hurrib1e super
iority, of belonging to a religious conununity stretching
far beyond the. boundaries of their ultderstanding.- · ,;..nd
once a Ualay breaks ~;i th · tr.adi tl.on ail ethical and moral, ' '
laws begin to b·e abandoned at the same time.
He bec0m.es the enemy of socie'ty who \'Jill gamble
· awi .. drink, will rob: and attack his oYin people tor
personal gain. The· skolly emerges, -r.1l1o -:1111 .ioin a
gang to gain power, a~d will terrorise his neiehbourhood.o ' I
:Uany. of"our elde~ly women, v~ho .are either
VJidowed, pr Separated from their. huspands, Or ,~eserted
by them, and hgd to bring up their children alone or·
wi.th the l~elp of relations, complain about the i,n:fluence,
the cG.nes have on their children. The Eons will be
impressed by ''makir1g easy money," 'the dc.ughtcrs. by the .
. display of apparent rmalth will not \Jait for their
wedding to produce their f~rst inf?-rit. r::oth~rs bound
to the nachine from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. have to leave
the education~ of their children to the st:L"'eet and lose
all /influence O"'Jer themo
5,; THE SOCIAL LI J'E OF THE l ~U.AY ·,;m:t:ili: '
The, life of the ?!n.lay woman, young or old, who
r has to earn a living, is a :life of chores intBrmi.ngled
vii th patches of gaie-t~ and festivity, with prayers and \
1
mourning. ~i.ll are enacjjed· accordine to, fl. definite
I pattern/~ e •• 0·. 0 0
-
. '-
I
... l26 -
' \
lives arc dict:...ted by the· same rclig;ious customs.
,}i:1}1ity ~nd stc.ndin~ are achieved. by aee and the
nu::ber or sons vJhich· they have born. r ,
On~ would be mistaken in thinkinG that the
.lot of the ::alay· t·:oman is an unnappy one' th,at she
·suffers under the social inferiority imposed upon her I ' '
i . by i .uslim lo.n and locai -customs.
I
I.
She does not know.
I
anythi~c ubout the fight for· emancipation of her
·~.estern Europeu~ sisters • and its results amone her ' .
Coloured neishbours do not im;press her fe.vourabl~~-f
The great advantage the Hale.y 1iiomen have over
their Coloured siste-rs. in the~r unity s.nd cohesion .\vhich .
' ei ves. strenrth to tr~e r1hole eroup, and w1 th that to the
-individual.
The man eoes out, the vroman stays at home - but
never alone. 'There v1ill. always be mothers, aunts,
sisters t · dauehtcrs, nieces, or just friends to -aelp in
worl~, to share· ·•leasures or console in suffering. r:utual . /
aid is not·a theoretic~l axiom but an-unquestionable ~
re~lity, taken as a matter of course ~o. such a degree, that
its 1jaJ.'"ticipants are cot ·even conscious of it,
:. The r:alay nan goes out .;. the Horr..an stays at home.
'l'he : alays in the Cape have a cultural life specific to ,
.I t:leir . .s;roup built on netherlands-.\.frikaans tradition
adapted to !. us lim laws ,and religious rites. But Cis the
sociul system of the Isl8.I!l is built on the· predominance /
of the fliale, the social and. cultural" life of the Cape :
i:alays i's built around tho men alone, with the women as
a buckclotb. in dornes:tlc activities.
The n:en form thenselves into choirs and bands,
the 1:.en compete with each other _durin£; Coon Carnival,
they tom sports clubs and social clubs, they take part
' . '
> '
• . (
in l~ht..lifuhs - they_ era the outv!urd Utlholders of·
tradition.
As this thesis ·is mainly concerned with the .. I ~.
part the Cape .Coloured v;omari plays in the industrial ..
and sooiul lite of Cape Tm-m, and the l,:alay woman is . .
only a pessive par~ner in the spcial life of the Ca:pe
~.:alays, ·no real picture o·r the customs of the Cape.
;.~alays can be given • This must be left to a ..
Goclologist or ... nthropol:teist, wh9 might care to I.
iri.ve~stigate the subject matter from 0. different ansle.
-~~--------~----------~~-
r ,
:.
•
I
ID]DINGS:
CH\PTliJl Y
Pd. R T III.
A COI.:.P.ilUSON COLOURED 4
.t.:ALAY.
The role of' the Coloured woman ·v.rith.in her sor-Iai group.
1 <· Findings wi thtn the lt~actory •••••••••• o 128
2o The position of the Coloured woman ·within her co:m1·nuni ty o .......... .
The Coloured group: ••······•o••••••••••
a} ·evaluations • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0
b) the role or the Church 0••••••••••••
c) reservations •••••••••••••••••••••••
d) success and skln colour
e) attributes which give social distinction
••••••••••••
c •••••••••••
129
130
130
131 ·o:
132
133
133
f) good standing within community o.... 135
g} good form. • • • • • • •. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 135
•
... 128 -
THE ·noLE 01' THE COT,OUR.!_;;D •• o:.~ill
~;ITHIN HER 50CIJ:..L GHOUP •.
lo FINDINGS ·:;ITllil~ THE F'i~CT0RY:
I !
T~e subjects investiGatlitt are 220 women - 156
Coloured and 64 Lulay v~omen. The basis for the in-
vestieation·is that of e factory QOnmunity.
thu.t:
\
The analysis of the community has shown that:
(i) {a) there exists a definit~ split between
the Coloured and t~alay eections caused
by tl~~ different social and cultural
bnckeround of those two groups;
{b) thut the Coloured Section is subdivided
into social classes with different
~restir,e-ya1ue t"li thin their com:munl ty. ·
.. i.lso that these social cle.sses hardly
mix \'Iithin the factory community, and·· -not at ~11 outside the factory;
(c) that no such definite class distinction
is to be fcun.d- amone; the U1:1lay section.
The reason for this is to be found in the fact·
(ii)" {a) the social, cultural and domestic life
'(b)
. . of the Coloured rJOman follm1s the
putt ern of '·estern E..'uropean' Civilisation
' s it i~ expressed in the Afrikaans-
' 4ng1ish comnuni ty surrounding her,
v;hile
the social, culturaL and domestic life
of the l.':.olay vJcmun folloY!S the pattern
of a soc1al.organ.isation quilt on the
Islanic/. •'• .......
/
\
.- 129 ....
Is~_mn.ic creed, ed.ol>ted to the
,circumstances an¢[ con.di tions v:hich
originated in the Oape~
T.he::?e funde..~.-r.-.,nt.e.1 differences result in:
' (iii) (a) a· different position the v1oman has to
uphold wit:nin her particu.l~r community;
. {b) ~nd n social stratification within tho~e
com~u~ities bas~d on ~ifferent tenets~
' '
(i) Thf< .position of the qoloured woman within '
l:er corn:~mni ty is within limits - that of an '
equal, partner with the man. rrhe limit's are
those which are caused·~y
(aJ functional differences and tasks. as
applying to any woman and
(b} by the polnt of emancipation that has
:L"eacb.ed up to date in· the :1istorical -
evciution of the position of the ~·;estern
-., ,.( 1 .!.mropean women 1.n t,enera. ..
(iL) The tmit for the Coloured wo~~n is the family -.I
tb.e family knovm in ·.:estern 1'uronean society •. . . (iii) The position of the Coloured family is determined
by the i'rame~vork within which they h::t.ve to .. li ve
v1hieh ia that dictated by the dominnncc of
·.;estern Curopeatl Civilisation. ',ie5>tern European
Civilisation with "regional" di~ferences. ·
"Regional di.fference.s;t is synonymous in .this
instance 'ti1ith the patterp ·which has been created
over centurieo to ensure ·.~hi te supremacy in a
country where non~Jhitas'are in a vast ~ajority.
3 0· Tli;:,j ........ .
.·
- 130 .,.
3 o THE C OLOUR.ED GIWUP:
The Coloured gr~up is the only non-Luropean . .
croup v!i thin the U:nion of South .Africa, whose very
origin is the. resu,lt of ·:.hite inmigrution into a .
Rl' .. ck country. All other,non-European groups existed \ .
before ~·:hi te infiltration took place, or had been ' .
"'imported"' r:z:om other countries to supply cheap labour()'
These groups had their roots in their own specific
cul~ures, and ··nere only influenced by thP,' socio.-eccnomic,
conditions tt.eir. '.ihi te ma~ters1 imposed upon t~em.
'rile Co1ou-red group alone had no e.xistenoe and
no roots outside 1 ts :ihi te creators, though naturally,
in the course of centuries, it was also influenc~d .by·
other non-J!:uropoan cultures, ulid in.tert1ixed with them.
But fundamentally, they feel the~'selves as part of the I
I '
I ·1 :ihite cultural group, but possesaing the "wrong•' skin
colour.
This point is ot great iroortance, as this .. /
alone can explain t~e social structure exictinc among
the Coloured ?;rou-p" , This alone can explain their
attitude torm.rc:ts each other l) towards other non-European . .
gl;'Oti.PS, 1and tOYJ&rds t~e 1:Jhi te eroup. This alone can
expiain the dilemma in which the Coloured finds himself
all the tLme.
~ere, I feel, I mu~t stress that all conclusions -"
I draw· are only A:pplicable to the particular unbanised i
. industrial group '7hich /form the basis of this thesisc
If tbese are applicable to a larger r;roup I cannot
judge and th.is nust be left ~o further imtestigutlon.
(a) ~aluations: The Col,oured have accepted en bloc /
the values and attitudes of. thei:t" ·::hi te musters' have
' . steeped/ ••••• o o • ,
'1
- 131
steeped thens~J.ve-s us far CLS it is permissible to them
itr .:hi te culture, and are; striving t.o•:;ards assimilation
all tho t iu.e.
They !,1ave accepted, without quE!stlonil}g, that
".ihite.;, is superior to "Non-·:.hi te. 11 !lere:'lios the
root of their dilem.T!la, the :reason for the d.isuni ty
existing within the Coloured group - the reason for
their mutual dist_rust, and t:reir perpetual aire to
achieve a skin colour·, v~}1ich will p\:!rr.Ii t them to "play"
•1-thi te~ to be· able to cross the line into the .ihi te group.
The Coloureds accepts his inferiority to the '
·::hi te group by the more faqt of ll.is colour on the one
.. hand, and resents bitterly tnc ~scrirdnutions ronde
ar;ainst him by. the · Jhite ~roup On t1'i9 count on thE> othero . '
He himself will d'iscriminat.e in t'he same w·ay again~t his
darker brethren, arid will feel superior to1·;ards th.e ' .
l'!ati ve by reason of h~s n;thi t~ blood."
To be near-·.,hi te or tight-slk:inned does not only ...
carry prestige, 'but it also facilitates the acquirinr~
of cultural amenities and technical skills reserved for
the ·;hi te group.
I •
(b} The role. of tho Church: :'11he only ncultural
, association 11 v,rhich accepts any believer or its Faith
whatever r~.:.ce 'or nation as an equal is the Cburch. "In
the By~s of God all men are equal."
the Coloured man and ~oman an assurance and ~ dignit~
which they could not find in their nncestrJ. That is why
religion is f!f pe.:rticul.ur iro.port!inoc to tho coloured.
That is \Vhy the church hl:-ts the greate~1t influence· in their
lives, and u:issionaries'found a fruitful f.ield for their
v:ork amonest then.
l.:artioularly / ~; ~." o" o
..
I
/
'-> 132 '' " . -
, rurti cularly the v1omen find in rcliclon, and
reli_giOUS acti Vi tics, 8. deep- S:.:~ti_Sf~ct·ion, \V.hich com
pensates t.!:len for the hardshipo und insecurity of
their do.ily li.fe.
'l'bis inr..e.r stability \:omen gain by a sincere
belief, linked with a natural instinct to find halJPi. \
ness in dome·sticit·y, has {jiven them a strength whi:;h I
-~ alone today seens to hold the ColoureG. family tor;ethe,ro
I Socie.l disabilities, economic insecurity ·which .. often causes rmlnutrition, /disease and all other hard-.
ships v;hich go vli th temi.~orary or continual poverty, seer.t
to strenc;then the ~·:on1an in her determination to bring up
her f~_nily, a.11C. v:euken the. u.an into a frustration which
seeks relief in social evils, such as drink. gambling, or
indisorin~nate seekinG after immen.
The >:7omon, und not the men,. vJit-l1n the Coloured
society seer! to be the moral. leaders of their e.roup.
( c} Reservations: :!:ere a~ain I must l:i~ke a reservation
· und riust repeat that if I generalise, I do so, o_nly for
the particular group I had the pri viler~o to analyse v1i th
their full co-operation.
Furthermt;)re i·t is a ·woman analysine women, and
!.ov:ever scientific the invest::t~gation; and hov~·ever un,biased \
the 1nv?stiGator tries to be, personal bias n~ght creep in •.
It i.s a group of women ·working in an industry which employs / ' . ~
main-ly women. ·::omen,. particularly married women, do not
\OTk for pleasure, but out ofdire necessity. These
YJOmen led me bac\ to their hones, to meet their fo.nilies,
their husbands.
The same investigation could be made from another-
angle. Let us say, one takes an industry which employs
mainly Men, for instance the printing industry. Then one
would/;!••o•••o
II ~
•
. l
- 133 -
would follow tt.Lese men bacl~ ·to tlloir homes. The
conclusiC?ns to be dravm might be diametrically
op":Josfte to those arrived at .within a group of r1age-
earning women.
(d) f!::.:_ --~ nd skin colou;.: The Coloured feels
·.himself a "l~uropean ·with the t'Jrong skin colour"
and strives tov;ards everythin:~ which \'Jill make
him more acceptable i~ _European·society. He ' .
has been taug.ttt. that. it is not only .hio colour ' -
which make~ a white ma,n superior~ but his higher . ' \
education. his greater skill and/his •:•sy of livingo
. 1
social discrimination within tbe Coloured group is
bus~d on these .facts: · '
i.- light skin might, enable a child to ''pass as · ihi tc" ,.
and be accepted in a European school. It is.taken
for eranted by a Coloured that a ~'uropean school '.
\'.till off'e:r greater educntional fucili ties than a
Coloure~l school.
enrol the child.:
The lichter-sJdnned parent wlll
If the orild is acce?tcd at rr
European school .1..1{ ia !t:tlt ~h:.tt the first step· 'to
wards success hafi ~--J~n achJeved.
Ceveral of our r10:rkers_ have some of thelr children
in :c.uropean schQol.s, some in Coloured.· The first
conflict in the child is created. It is-ashamed of I
its. parents and has to live_ a perpetuc._l lie. Not
only that, but the parents \'Jill cncourl1ze him _o:r her
to out loose frQQ his background; even try to find '
him u .::.urope&n foster J?G:rent to give him !:Teater
chances in life.
, (e) " .... ttri butes v1hich give social distinction: ·.:hen
-describin~"~'/• ••••••• - \
,;
- 134 -
d~scribing the activities of the factory commup.ity I
have laid stress on the eagerness r· found among the '
VIorkers to "improve themselves." ... As there a..re not
' many avenues ··of employmPnt op.en to. a young girl, work
in e. factory has a social significance as well as an
economic- one. Great pride is felt by a mother if her
, sdn is accepted as an a?prentice.in a skilled trad~ •.
·In vain, I often tried to enter some of our gir~s for
courses run for non-Europeans by the Technical College.
They art:.· booked up months ahead.
The "European way of ~iving,'' .the European home·
is known to the·Coloured who has entry to the home in
his capacity as worker, as domestic servant, etc., He
cannot build bimself a nice house, but he ~ant at a
sacrifice, aaquire the same type of furniture, the same
radiogram, :frigidaire and electric washing :rn.a.chine as
he sees in the homes of Europeans.
The furnishing of a home or of a room is no"more ' .
a. question of comi"ort or utility v1hich has to be solved
within one's neans, ·but a matter of cultural achievement, .
.' of prestige. . '
To \<Jear hat and gloves to· Church or when visiting,.
to wear shoes in school, but not on the way. to school in. /
order to lengthen their li.f~, is a question of prjstige, a
sign of.onets social standing.
The life and ponsible achievenents within this
life, of ~ny Coloured moves within. certain' limits vvhich are
set by circumstances and cannot be o.ltered by bim. There-
fore all shodes of d.i,fference within these limits are of '
utmost im')ortance to his selfrespect and have to be main-. - .
tained at all cost.· ThiE explains the rlgidi ty ''Jithin -
each social class, and the sacrifices that are mede to
maint-ain/. & • •· •• '- •• -
\
-. 135 -l
R~int&in ~ ~ertain etundard of living, in spite of
is ::;:c~lieved under eret.~.t difficulties. It r:as to be
~\·&tcl!ed ;.;.nd defenC.e.r1 all th::::: time. Great ~·ride is ,•
felt in the educE.ltional or !::u.terial e:q;ressions of
out of pr9~ortion to the a~1aront achieveuent. '
( ··~ 1 ~ ' The 111ost
coveted ;:ossesslon for :~n lntelli(jent Coloured is to be
oi' good sto.ndinr-; within his community, to hold some form
of ..;.u~hori ty o . To :,ave been elected cr.aiman of t:.n
ttssocic.tion, te it only ;;. "1-lee Club", to be captain of .:~
~ :.rd 'outtle ::in< t~<·refore L~oubly valuable and fiercely
to be 1.1efenJod. .• :;, c.. res ;l t power ver~r often d_oes Pot
sit. v~el.l o.rl t'ltdr 2houluers, tj1e pur· ose bein::- fo:r[!ot·.en
• T· is social ~ride is so stronc, b~cause it hus to
fit•ht ;;.1.: t:-~e time a .~n:_wi:or. inner feelinc: of in1'eriori ty,
( s) nood 'orm: ~ood torn. is' ulways the ~;,ost Jmr)ort~:int
f~ctor in sociul life. courtesy, ~o6d ma~ners, a
"'c1;:.:viour ~')e.tter' of fornLtl conventionulisr:J. adopted :vore
oft,,- 1" t> o!'lly outer. expression w."ic' may :}istin .. --aish one
soci~l cl~s~ ~rOQ the other.
~·oss lt le t'-' 1 .ec:~r the b~.dt''e of good breedine . in one •·s st:;le
of living.
but th~ on2 ~ill show in her behaviour th~t she has been
(
-
PART Ill ..
FINDINGS : .t~ COMPARISON COLOUilED ·.·l.i.r~LAY.
, I
CHAPTER VI The Malay Noman within.her social setting.
1. The pbsi tion of the Malay v1omatl ·wi th.in · h·er community •••.•••••• · ••
2·., Her position within the family circle ••
3 • .- The M.alay group: •••••••••••• ~ ••••••••••.
a)
bJ.
eval\tations ••••••••• ~ •••••••••••• · ••
class distinctions ·••••••••••••••••• ' .
I
c)_. ~esults. ?f social system •••••••••••
d} the "Purdah" attitude ••••••••••••·•
------
..
Pa~~:
136
136
138
138
13~
141
142
'
. '
! ...
•
. Eovi do the so c:~::iracteristics con.pare with t'he
atti tw;les an~~ beleviour pattern of the grou;.;e cf '£:£:lay
\·:omen· who ure to be found in the :factory community?
I had suid that:. ''The social, cultural and domestic life of the l\Ialay won:1n follows the pattern of a social or:~::rnLJo.ti.on built on the Islamic creed, adapted to the c1rcumstancea and conditions which originated it !ri the Ca~e."
The ·;oslt!on of the ],~alay womun ·within her
com."~uni ty is dict!lted by the inferior role - the socio-
relietcus do<T.:lc of" the Islamic. creed laid down for her.
Ste r·.:)f.lains ::1. ~':inor all her li~e, owing obedience to her
elders ciTl~.: LitE':r it! her life to her hudxmd, as \'Jell aS
her elders.
The unit for t]1o !{alay womun is the far.1ily in a
wi'aer sense thar: known to the Christir~n fr:.··dly pattern.
s:·w owes B.llegiance after r.:.ar.ria~e, not only to
her i1u<:::band, but to his :;urcnts an '.?ell. If :he should
choose to h:.1ve r:tore than one wife, t:_c other wife and '
.her fc .. mily has to be acce;:.ted into the kinslJir r:roup.
Tlle ',~oms.n' s rights and duties ure strictly defined
by religious dogmus. Eer :·lace is in the home, hor task
~;trictly lL.ited to the.t of "- i1ousewif'e e.nc.l n·.other. T~_;is
G. llvlnc for l.crself unCi her. dependcmts, •;l1:ich might be .
near-relatio.n~ or ehlldren. Even t1·ou'?'h she might be the
sole support of her parenta, or her children,' she will .. st.ill owe obedience to h6r elders, be it ber parents, or
if' she is 2. '::i~!OYJ, or separated fro!Ti her husband, to his
,:arents, or hE~r ~:ce.rest rrale relative~o.
It/••••••••
- 137 -It is not expected of her to take an active part
in the cultural life of her religious croup.· She hf..ls to
fulfil definite religious obligations,. suches saying set
prayers i-n .l..ra,bic a·~ stipulated times and occasions. She
has to fulfil certain religious duties connected with birth,
death, marriage, fasts and feasts. ~ven ablutions have
1to he perforoed according to rituals laid dovm ·in detail o I I
1The only education which is deemed necessary for a woman is
~religious\ education, which sh.e ,·;ill receive from the Imnm's
wife and her older tamale relations.
She will not take an active :par·t in the social life
of her 'coJJL"!luni ty, if :l:t is not connected ·with family
functions. That is, a youne I:ala~· c;irr· wi.ll not be found I
e.s a member of a ::?ports 'Club or a social club. ~;he will
not participate in artistic actiVHiies such as public . I
fancint:, singine, TJ1ay--uctlng - while _the Jfalay men are
very active in z.ost ·of tl:.ese activities .• . . . A I:_alay girl, or wor.:an, ·.fi)_l never be seen ;:;1thout
stockings, she will ahvays hs.ve her hair ·covered, and she -
·would never drear.1 of wearing shorts or of bat;bing in mixed
company. The Mal(ly man will, attend ·public dances or
socials, but his partners will be Coloured and not galay
If a Ualay man should fall in love with a Coloured
eirl and \;,rant to marry ........ her he can do so, a.s long us she is
prepared to receive religious instructions and become a
.ruelim. 'P is is not unusual, and tbe Birl vJill be accepted
by the Euslim comr:mni ty as one of their own.
·But lt is~ f:ronned upon if a r:·a.lay cirl .... ,ishes to
marry a Coloured man, as she then cannot upholC: any longer
Euslim traditions·, an.d she becomes an infidel and ie lost
to her community. As a f:l'ocial stigma i_s attache.d to it,
anrl/. ~ .. ,~ .... "
. I and as the Coloured community will never quito accept
the newcomer as one of their ovm, Ealay e;lrls r~rely . \ .
marry Golo"Hred men o.
Religious .or family functions :play a majo:x;- part
in the community life of the I.:alay family [tnd tb.oue;h the.
woman'::;· role in all functions bar l!arriagE~ ·is that of
1.. the technician behind the scenes, tlle. seems to find full'
. satis·faction and happiness in this role cast for her by·
' j r~:uslit:· t,J;"adition.
3. THE t.:.;:J..AY GROUP:
Tlle posi t:lon of the !¥:alay fttmily us n. whole i.s
determtned by the same outer .limitations wrdch deternirl.e
• t;~e life· of the Col<H.i,rea family. i'~S far as la\vs,
tr~di tion, art.: attitudes of the ~uro:pean society within • . .
whi-:en they live are concerned, tllc sam(; discriminations . .
which .apply to the Coloured. also a:·ply to ,the 1;:alay.
(a) Evaluations: But the 1.-ialay; i.n contract to the
Coloured, docs not ·v:eint to be or become a part of. '·•'estern
European·culture.
~hite infiltration.
He a~oes ·not owe llis -very exis~ence to
His ancestors cane fr01~1 r.:ada~asc~r
and Ceylon. from Indonesia .and even Chinb. They .;,vere
• l · p:rinoes and slaves, political c:d.les, some of ·whom are
vmrshipped as Saints, and Javanese craftsm~m nho became
the fi r1:3t skilled rr.as.ons, iron and coppersmi tl'ls, cabinet
anti furni·tu~e makers, carpenters,· plasterers and bcick-
layers in the Cape. '·
Maley crclftsmen have left· their Iilark in the . -
·.;estern ca,pe. In archi t.ecture and in furniture, in'
riaster and in vvoodwork the fusion· of Colonial Dutch style \
wi tb that of the East created the ''Cape Dutch house and
furniture," s~ &minently suitable and fitting for the
landscape into \'( ich it wa~ placea .• /
/
t:a.la.y I . ~ o ••• o o
•
..
r
,) I
,, 139 -r:.alay fisherrnan enriched the crountry vJi th · ,
foH~lore, the r:a:tay belief in nar;ic evoked "Poltergeist»
phenomenno wh-ich notv and tho.r) still naJ;;:e heacJlinEJs in
daily newspapers. The rusi_on . o:r .Dutch folk' songs
rendered in ralay ntyle have (.;iven the ca,e the Crhomma-
1iedj ies, accompaniei.1 by the ghom..::1a.
Tile f,:alay in con{~rast to the Coloured is proud
of ~is ancesto~s. His mixed ra.c:i:al ::tnteccdent·s do not
give him a. feeling of infer:tori ty tovn1rds the :vlli te .. group
as his relir.;ious veliefs mould all racial differences into
one hor.mgenous Viholo.
Hir~ skin colour r.!ight delegate him into an -inferior positiOJl in a country which is dominated 'tly
~;·estern European. civilisq.ti6n, but this fact does not make
him believe hirneelf to be inferior, as it does the Coloured. I
The I:uslim fuith gives ~im a spiritual aloofness, :<i diBnity
o.nd inner strene;th which m.r~kes him :i.mmune against colour
co'nzciou.sness o In fact, I often r~ot -the irr,pression that'
in r is heart he pi ties the '\'hi te infidels \'.'ho will never , I
kno·.;/ e true Heaven. . .
The Coloured lacks· self-respect, as.he has ' absorb\7)d and accepted the valuas and attitudes e};pressed
by ~he· ·: .. uropean siJrrounding him. Th1.s splits the - '
.Coloured group into -as many sect:i.oils; as there are shades
in s1dn colour. Th~::, r:alay · com:nuni ty only .:-ac.knovJledges
its or:m values' 'which are dete!'l:lined by the de:rr...ands the /
;::orun m~1~~9s on the individual.
(b) . Class distinctions: ......... ;;.;.;....;. ____ - ...... Class distinction within the ,
t.:alay group are determined by the capability of the' 1 -.. I. 1
, individual to· fulfil. religious demands L and.. by fulfilling
these d.em.ands he will. enrich th.c whole community.
~"-t the top of' the laclder is the Imam, ,who .is the
.leader/ •••• •·o-o.
. :
0 140
,_Ar:>d~r ot• r1i_s. l.ocr.: 1 .'C ... '"'.I'".tun.·tty. -d ' i .. d i · ht -·~ v • "- ~= ·. eu n ad v ce 1s spue
not only in spirltt}al matters, uut on uny probleL1
affectine: · the daily life of tht~ ruslim,; The Imam's uite
holds ·a· similar 1 1os i tion ainon~ the ,·;omo·n. 7hen come the · \ . . ' .... ~
Hadjieo, t!1ose who have made the pilgrimage to.r.:·ecca.
As a sign of d1.stinction they are allowed to wear a black
·tassel on their fezze~-. "Milayas" are the 'women who .
have kissed th0 Holy Stone 1;1t r:eoca. They will never
be seen in ;ublic without the yashmal\., 'l:lhich covers /
their head 'and the lowe.r portion of their face.
Those vtho are --well-to-do and able· to contribute
a large sliarc towa:rde the upkeep of tho 1:osque. and lrJ.
support of thepool," are well respected. But as the
ptiynrent of Zaka - one fortieth of one' c tott:J. income to ! . . I
be give? to the eomnunity - is u relicious duty, it does
n'Ot carry the ~ticma or ".charity"~ Cluss distincticn
created. by \'J~al th are overruled ··by honpurins age,
irrespective of. birth and vrealth, ~.nd t.he belivf that ull
Faithful are religiouE;ly ·equals. ' -
The status.of the woman..within.the Falay
community i~ ~ependent on the status her parents and her
husband hold. But ·whatever her backeround, she ·will he
·honoured a~ a '•rood" wife l-f she· has borne him many sons. '
.. ;go automatically inor1;)ases her standillg, and the respec-t; • ' I
she ·can demand fron other ·women, irrespective of other ' '
consi<lero.tion5. '
A typ.ical exar:tple of this attitude was the words
·in' which an old I"alay vwman couched her appreciation tor
my .visiting- her \if:ten her child' 1.·ms sick.
t·v:ice my age, but· 'when she saw. ne and a youns Coloured '•
woine.n I· hact; tuke:1 along to the door o.f her pondo}:liie :.n
the Cape Plats she ~aid: "I must thank you tv1o old ladies,
that you ha.ve come all the \·;ay to see ine."
(c) Results/oooo.oo•• ...
' .. ' . ·.
•
I .
9o 141 . .,
(c) The majority of the /
J:.::.;.J.u.:; .-.;:otwn v;orkine in the fB.ctory arc:. t 11osc ,· who, trc:m
u ~estern point of view, have become victims of the '
social syste~ which does not adapt itself to a civili-
sation surrounding it, ~:.. systen which deleeates the
'women to u.n inft:lricr ~osition vri thout legal or cultural
frights.. h.t the Si.illle time it does not ;>rotect them.
sufficiently economically.
·::omen of loucr status are nsui-J.l.y :r.m.rried only
. ~~.:.ccordins to t:uslir.l lu·w. I . '
This ensures for the man an
:easines~ of d;i vorco, \'lhl.oh e.mounts to desertion. The
IH-"-ITlissibility of polyeamy, the mor~..l.l right to "concubine~·
€;1 ves him a sexual .freedom vfhich results in-a flock of
oh}ldren, \'!hOm }'l.:c is incapable of support~I?-~· ' .•aoman is not considered "inu~.oral, n if she submits .to a.,
l.:):..n, nnci he isl accepted as u superior beinG·•· ·That is
lvhy. pc.rents ·allo~."J their daughters so little freedom and
~a girl vJill neve:r be allowed out unchaperop.ed. That is·
'also v;hy uarriaces are arranged by pare.n.ts many years ·~ . before the actual marriage can take :place .. Once o.. girl -
is I
eng&ged •. she gains in ~tatus· and is eonsiklered "safe .. "
I This attltude can be kept up where the ecnnomi ·
,background is fairly. secure but in a home w)1cre there is I')
:no· f!ither~, . or r;here bbtr~. parents have to V!Ork to SUJ)})Ort
their far1ily, this lack of self roliunce in young women,
•;Jhich is forcod upon ·ther1 by their education, is ver-y
danserous.
Al ~p.ough the Ual~y community or her 'relations
J.'lill hel.P a woman vJh.o ·has to SU'i!)Ort herself .-:1nd her .
rnildren without a husband, her life is a very herd. o,ne.
rnd v:ithout the foil of a man, she ho.s ne social standing
~-,ha tsoever.
~ii thin/ •••••••• • J. -
\.
The position of the Cr\oured and Malay \:oman •:litbin her socio-culturel sittin~, and its rfpercudsions
in her daily lif9. - A comparison,
1. Fu'NWU::::N ..:Al.~ DIFFERENCES. -COLOURED
The Coloured are C~ristians and have been sol~ly influenced by the pattern of Western European Christian society.
.MALAY --Tl.te Malays are Muslims '3.na their social structure is built upon the tenets of Mohammedanism.
The results or this fundamental ditference are the following;
II. FAMILY STRUCTURE.
COlOURED MALAY
1. Christian Family pattern Monogamy is the basis ot fq.mily lite.
2. Position of woman: Equal to man - often leading in family life.
5. Married young woman have right to own decisions.
4. Wi vos. share eqn1lly with husbands in dh ecting their children's lives.
1. Nearer to joint ta~lly pattern. Polybamy is pcr~!Jsible, though not often practised.
2. Position of woman: )jflnor to r.&r. - Jnin directs family life.
3. ,Married young woman owe obedience to·parents, 1n·l~ws and husband •
4. Wives have only say over their daughters' upbringins, bu~ education or sons is lf .'t to men.
5. Unmarried daughters owe 5. Un.rrarrier daught·ers owe obelience to p~rente, but are tbo~ht to need continuous chaperonage. ·
obedience.to parents, but are allowed to certain amount ot treedom.
6. ~"'""~· Honsehold Budget .. adminis.,.. . &. Household Budg~t - administered by eldest tema~e member or householdo
tered by wife. ....
7. Obligations tmvards near relation3 depends E~lely on attitUde ot individual.
a. · F&.&nily functions where entertaiament on a large scale is .. ustomary: e) Twenty-tirst birthday
of daughter. b) Wedding ot daughter.
7. Obligations towards near relations are a duty to be ~bouldered by t~ male members ot tl".e t&mily.
B. Family functions where entertainment on a large scale is customary: a) Naming or son b) Tamat or son :) Wedding or daughter.
/III • EDUCATIONAL •••
lll.
&,
Stress is laid on t\>.r6Jm.l school eql1 ~ati-'1lo Religicus education of secondary importanceo
2o Young girls often attend· evening classes to att~in higher school standa~ds while already employed as factory ·workers.
,. .Lo Strf;I,SS is lair.l..<in r~ligious
education. Formal eJucatlon of secondary h~~rtancG.
2. Young girls will only be trained in religious ana domestic activities once they have left school.
IV - ATTITUDES.
Skin colour of eocial importance~ To be n~ar white is looked upon as asset; so cia 1 and economic.
Resentment is fe1t taaards social disabilities caused by skin colour.
Prestige is expressed in educational achievements and material possessions.
1. No social importance is attached to skin colour.
Fatalistic attitude to11ards lite. Acceptance of the principle of Mindlover Matter. . Prestige ls expreased in ful.-·tilment of ritual demands.
V. DIFFJ:RJ!NCES ·WITHIN FACTORY COMMUNITY.
1. Eighty five per cent of 1. \7orkers come from middle.,. class homes.
2. Class consciousness is 2o strongly developed. Differ
-ent social elasses do not mix socially.
3. Respect is sh~1n t~~rds 3. older women, though age dpes not overcolfle socia 1 barriers.
4o There is no illiteracy 4o among the Coloured Group.
5. The majority of women i.n 5. supervisory posit! ons arc coloured.
6. All socia 1 leaders vrithin 6. the factory commu'11 ty are. coloured.
Eighty-f~vs per cent of workers come from lower class homeso
All classes mix socially.
Respect _ia shown towards older woman. \"1~ose social standing increases with marriage, child"' bearing and ageo Age overcame all social barrierse
All women over 40 years of age employed at the factory are illiterate W"d a number of \10me-c in otner age groups as ~ell.
Only one woman among th a Malay group has b~en elected into a Supervisory position.
There are no social l~aders amongst the Malay womdn within the Factory community.
V. Continued •••••
V • DI:'?.WERENCE$ WITHIN ''' HE J! ACTO RY COMMUNI'.rY ~ Cont J. I f) ..•
COLOURED.
Workers in the age group 15-30 participate .aotivelr in soc:tal and sports . a.ctivitie s·.
So There have b3en a number of coaversions 'C'd hiohamme- ' danism amana Coloured . girls in or&er to marry-· M usli.:.ns.
No Malay woman worker. partic1Q pates actively in any social or sports activities.
e. No Malay gtr 1 within the tactort community ha·s renouno.ed her religion far any reason wb.atso~ver. · There were no . .ie1rriages between Malay girls and Coloured men. ·
•
• . I.·.
)
P .ART Ill.
:F':tNDINGS: A" . C O!V:PARISCN C QLOUHED M.ALAY.
CHAPTER YUi Attitu(les of the coloured and Malaz GroupE_ •
...
Attitude towards eacll other . . . . . . . . . . . ·• 143 . . . . .
2.· Attitude towards th~ European .••• , •••••• 144 .· . . ~ . .
3. Reservations •• ~ • .; ••• ·• ~ •................ 145
I .
'-' !44 ''
admirat.Lon for the g0:rnr11uni ty spirit cH;long the
I alays ~ which is tinged with envy o
( b} _!he, l'alay ·,'Jomen, cri their side~ are re:ther
'
indifferent to~ards the educational superiority
of the Coloured ~JOmen, rrnd o'f their active
~a~ticipation in the social lite of their
conmunit:. The Ealay ·r;omen are rrmch n:ore
conscious of their ''fEn:linity," ClDd ·are proud of
the fact that thlir men direct and dictate their·
lives und that or tr~ir comnunityo
It seems mucl. r-a: ·er that a J."u.lay ~irl marries
a Coloured' mb.n, t~t&n vice ve1·sa. I do nc t knm·;
of one sinr;l.rJ casr.: ir our factory during the last
three ~rears of u ' ul. y girl marrying a ColourP.d \ -
man, b~t I-experienceQ~hree conversions_to the
!uslin F~ith by Coloured girls, preparatory to
marri~ges to L~lays. _
- I do not lmo-..·. whether the Lal'ay Y.omen f('el·
superior towards the Coloured rJOmen - they are , I
i.nr.lrticul~::te in feelings .- but I· dp :.mow that •
they ridicule tte Coloured croups' strivi'ng to-
'.'~ards imi tatil)n end, acceptance of the · .. 'hi te group.
Tho· ·h thei.r individual li vcs richt be ::: .... '9r
tha .. -\.Ohat of their coloured sisters, tl:.ey find
· ample compensation in belne; deeply rooted yfi thin
their community, nnd !cing proud c:r >nat community.
On their-side they ~lty the disunity existing
arlene the Goloured sections, and their lack ·or a
. common purpose.
2 o ATTITUDE TO~ ."A.RDS THE EUROPEANS: --Hete ~~ain the basic differences ~ake themselves
felt/oo.,o<Jo()<>
;
- 145 ..
felt in their attitude to':;ards the i·uropeans as a group(;
Tl+e attitude of both crou1~s is the sar.J.e when it comes to
a European .in Jlu.rticular, with rJhom they have daily con-
tact. ' ~rhe Coloured, seer;; ~ore resentful o1" the limitations
set on l1is professional and econonic developme-nt than~ the
Lalay. I3ut both r;roups are extremely appreciacive of qny
sincere effoJ•ts made in understandine; their prol--lems and
diffic\11 tics.
3o H.J:;s:;RV.~TI01S.
The'wh0la complex question qf race relations is
too much in flux to' lay dovm even the :.:.t.tti tude of a small·
' group of people. ·:bile a· statement is 'bei1.1g rr.ade • 'the
sitmation has changed aqain.
Emotions and politics also penetrate a ·working
com.rnunity, Y/~lich only exists -for economic reasons: and
c:.d.ter the "tone" of relationships cc'1tinua1ly.
The vriter is'too much in the midst of its daily
fluctuations,' and too much a part of the factory c~nnmuni ty I
itself, to be able to mak0 an unbiased analysis of the I
situation.·
\
r
I f·
1 I
- ·t o'
• PART- IV.
C 0 N C L U S I 0 N S.
CJL\.PT . .ER VIII HOME itND ·,wRK.
. '
Page:
T.h.e influence of home life on the . , working conu"nunity •••••••••••••· 146
2. The influence of the working community · 1
on. the 11ome life of tne t;.'orker •• ~.... 147
3. Budgets, Prestige and the "Poverty Cyclen. 147/148
4. The Human Factor . ........ ~ •.•....••......• 150
. · HOME ~.,.NJ) ·.mruc. -\
1 o THJ:: INFLUEl.iQE Qf....!I.Q;.:E LI~"".E OK 'l'lC. '10FlGNG . COt.1,:tmiTY:
- Home u.nd :iork ... tv10 parts of one .life, inseparably
interwoven a
(a) I
(b}
(c)
It has been seen that:
The division which sp~i ts the fact.ory copm1uni ty
into two parts and affects its working efficiency
is caused by differences which have their roots·
in the clash Of tVv'O ciVilisations uni tee Wi thln I
one industrial community; the ·.I estern European
. way of life, as represented by the Coloured
com::nuni ty, and that of the li!uslim group, v1hos~
life is based on the teachinf)s of an Eastern
ph_ilosophy.
It has also b3en seen that:
Attitudes and evaluations v1hich are specific to
each r:rou: ·d thin their community life outside
the factory are also mirrored in the social
structure. as found vd thin tho factory o This
social pattern, exists in spite of the economic ' , I
.._
structure on which an industrial cot!.Tl'Junity is built. t.n econonic structure ,:;hich only takes
into consideration working efficiency, ir .... 4 ·ia.l
of soc.ial, cultural · .... religious differen.c"-:;.
I
On the other hand it :!.s observed t4at: I
\~:orking efficiency seems-. to be corr'elate'd with I
educational qualifications, even thoueh production
depends mainly on manual. dexterity. ·These
educational qualifications are found to a greater
degree amonG the Coloured woman, v:orker within the
factory/•••·•••••o•
/
" 14? .,.
factory. '?hey are found ~monG tha Coloured
worker •:;ho comes from a ~t good home. '1 -
These \.'iOmen have gained positions of a.uthori ty
within tbe working, as well as the social organi.sation
of the factor~y cormuni ty-,. Tl'.is fuct shows up ar;ain the
inter-relation bet~vcer.. ·work rind home.
;-... gain it is observed tht:t:
(d) The inferior position the !.':alay woman holds in
her home makes it impossi:-lc for her to achieve
a _position of leadership ·within the_working
community, and makes her a -passive :rmrticiiJant
only within its social activities.
-Social activities within the factory, organised
and spontaneous, did occasi.onally produce a li1rk which
united both Coloured groups in a common_aim or effort.,
-This was particularl: ·lotic_eable where an app_eal . . was made to help less fortunate 1:1embers of the corr11Tlunity,
or.groups within or outside the comP"Junity. Selfless
actions, such as 7reparine a Christmas treat for poor
children, hclpine: tuberculotics, etc., united both groups.
Joint efforts of Coloured and J,:a.lay alike c-reated ,
1r.utual appreciatlon and tolerance, which spread far beyond
the boundaries or· the factory unit.
Educational cour~es organised within the factory
for the benefit of the workinG; community, such as
instructions in-'"'First .-dd, Hone TTu:..~sinc;; Hygiene, the
shOvJing of educational films, benefited. !:illd enriched the
lives of the workers and their families.
3. BUDGETS, PRESTIGE ,1-ND THE l?OVEHTY CYCLE.
Itj ........ .
,.
/
"
148
It !us been sho·.-m thc.t the joint income of some '
f ..1m~li.:s lJr are ull, or most rd::nbe:r's, o:f' tr .. c household (
<....1'e in employrr.ent is com:p:...rdtl vely high" ' I
In s_t;ite of
t,~is fact .emere:ency si tut::.tions -within a family, such as
lone; illnesses, death of .a \Vat;e euxner, unemployment,
will often thro;~· fl. whole household from coinparati ve vH3al th ~
into poierty within a very short period.
The reason for this phenomenon seems t .... ;. me .to
bc.threefold:
. '-
•
{i} ~n artificial wealth has often been
(ii)
created by the impossibility of finding
adequate housingo It forces several eene-I
·rations,_ who normally VJoul.d set up house
s~parately, into one dwelling. Cost 'Of
li vine goes d.Qwn by poo) .. iDf: resources. · But •
at the same time slum conditions are created
which impair health and also lead to a
deterioratlo~ of family life. Lack of
priv;acy brines in its wake sociai evlla, as '-
the lack of home life forceD the individual
to find satls.faction ·for rlis social needs
outside the home •
• ~ way of ,life thus created is not con-
ductive to saving and all earninPs will be
spent leavine; no rnargih for emergency
situations.
(a) It has been shown that class distinctions
in the co+ou'red' COTIL."TT.uni ty arre among other
factors ~xpressed in certain material
possessions •
This causes a grea:a. deal of '"prestige
buying/••••••oo
(iii)
·' ~'.4·9 (' buyingrr w:dch is made· posE;ible by the liire
purchase s:t:stem c~rr~nt in our society •
. Liabili tie·s are. incurred, wl).ich are based on
an earnint; :::ower existing at the tir.Je of
pu~che..se. Once this equilibriu..'TI is disturbed
by an e~ereency situation, debts cannot be met,
and economic disaster follows.
(b) Within the Malay comrJUnity the parallel
situat~on is ·that ''Jf large sll?es of earnings
absorbed in the fulfilment of :religious
demands made upoz:t the .individual, such as
ela.borate weddlng cQremonies, or a pilgrimage
to :r.-:ecca, · VJh.ich does not leave enough money
for the necessities of daily lifeQ .
:Phe "poverty cy'Cle in t.he normal lifetime
of.anyone born in the labouring class", as
.shown up by Hovmtree in h~s "Social· Survey of
York", seem also to apply to the industrial
n·rou:p under consideration. Rowntree drew
attention to the three periods of shortar.;e of
t~e ne6essities of life within a labourer•s
lifeti~e.
Rowntree stated:.
(a) "1rhe first occurs during infancy, when the . .
child of a laboure;r rJill be virtualLy com-
peting with brothers and sisters for the
food and clothing wbicl~ can be hdugh~ with
the father's smell earninBs o·
The •".'Jholc family rises above the poverty line
as the older children begin ·t,o earn ana
contribute tov1:::.rds their l~eep.
..
(' 150 ,~>
{ b r A~ time passes~ the· children grow up, marry
( c}
n.nd leave borneo The parents left behind ·. ~>'Jill be once more liable to sink below the
:poverty line.
r:r·n ..... ,..,. • "'a1r n lJ.<.; vl.ll..L e~ , in their turn, once they set
Ul) home and have children of their own will
too sink ~e.low the poverty line • • • until
. t.heir children can earn their keep in turn
again. rt
The fhctors ·which· contribute ·tormrds :i.ntermi ttent
p9verty ny~~~ne~.under (1) and (iii) cannot be altered by • ·~'lj .. ' .
the individual, or the sqcial g~oup to w:,ich he belongs.
·The question of pr~stige buying and fulfilling
religious demands as· $tated under ( ii) a~:. cvntri butiory
factors towards sinking 1nto povertyt represent .from a
purely economic point of. vie·a a mal-dl.s~rib.ution of income.
l~'ron a socio-cul tt\ral point of view it is a factor inherent
in the social pattern specific· to each grmxp ..
But here ar:_:ain worldng life, as expressed in earning
capacity 1 and e. social system exis.ting outside. the working
c .. Jmuni ty, are Intricately. interwov·en.
It has been shown how closely inter-linked work
and ho:nc are in <:i woman's life. Ilet\t important satisfying
human relationships are in creatine an effective working
community, as '(Hell as a well-balanced human being.
Conrnon aims for the good of others - not self
interest but selfless actions - seemed to be one of the , factors which tvere found to be strong enoueh to bridge.
socio-cu1 tural ai.fferences vd thin tll€· v1orking community
w1lich has been. under review.
lt/,oo•••••
., , -f
' ' , ,.· , . ...,.
It gave satisfactlo:::J to the inclividu~:l. o.nd
helped to create satisfying human relo.tHmships within
the: corn.muni ty.
This has been found within the m~lcrocosm of· a
small bow..6uni~y - could it be o.pplicable to the
trl.acrocosm of human associations as a ··INhole?
0 •
. ·
• I
CRUSE H.P.
DE ·- jWIET, C. W.
DOLLARD, JOHN
DRAKE AND CA!!OR .. .
DU PLESSIS I.D.
FOLSOJl J.lCo
HELLIIAN ELLRN (Editor)
KORAN the
LITTLE KeLo
LLOYD WARNER &: WiT "Yankee Cit7 Reports"
McCRONE IoD•
MACMILLAN WoV.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A, B 0 0 K S,
. Die ophet~tng van die KleurlingsbevolkL~g. Deel I. Aaffangsjare 1652-1795. (Maskew Miller, 1949)
A History of South Africa~ - Social 4 Econaaic (Oxford 1941)
Caste and Clavs in a Southern Town (Intern. Library for Social Research, 193?)
F~stration and Accression (Intern. Library for Social Research, 1944)
Black Metropolis {New York, Harcourt, Brace & Co, 194S)
The Cape Malays (llaskew Miller, 1947)
Die Haleise Semelewing aan die Xaap (Kaapstad, Nationale Pers, 1939)
Die bydrae van ftie Kaapse·Maleier tot Afrikaanse Volkslied (Kaapstad, Nationale Pars, 1935)
The Family and Democratic Society (Chapman & Hall, 1945)
Handbook on Race·Relations in South Africa (Oxtord 1949)
Translated by E.H.Palmer (Oxford)
Necro8s in Britain (London, K. Paul)
Trench, Trubuer, 1948.
The Social System or the modern Factory 1947
The Status System or a modern comaunity 1942
Social Life of a modern community 1942
Ethnic Groups and Social System
(All publ. by Oxford Univ. Press) •
Race Attitudes in South Africa (Oxford 1937) ·.
Society (Farrar & Rinehart, 1944)
The cape Colour Questioq London Faber, 1927.
·~·
l '
IBLIOGRA.PHY "A" (centd)
IALINOWSKI
:ARAIS J., S •
:ARAIS J.So
AYO ELTON
YRDAL GUNNAR
GBURN &: NIMKOFF
.ADBAKRISHN All! S. .
EEBOHM RO?fl~TREE B.
EEBOHM ROifiNTREE B.·
OR OK IN
OROKIN • BERGER
HERON ERICA
AGNER O.J.M.
HYTE W.F.
-II-
fhe Dyn~ics· ef Cultural Change (York Un1v. Pre.ss, 1945)
The Cape Colour QUestion (Faber & Gwyer, 192?) · . .
The Cape Coloured People . ( Longmans 1939)
~he Social Problems of.an'Industrial :vilisation (Kegan Paul, 1945}
American Dilemma (New York, harper &: Brothers, 1944)
A Handbook or Sociolog-... (Intern. Library of SCli:Olf Jgy, 194?)
Eastern Religion and Western Thought (Oxford Clarendon Press, 1939) .
Poverty. : A Study of Town Lite (MacMillan, 1901)
Poverty and Progress (Longmans, 1941)
Man and Society in Calamity New Iork, E.P.Dutton & co. 1943
Time Budgets of Human Behaviour Harvard Un1v. Press. 1939
Fabriekswerksters in Kaapstad Nasionale Per~, 1944.
Poverty and Dependency in Cape Town (Maskew Miller, 1936)
Social \fork in Cape Town · (Maskew Miller, Cape Town, 1939)
Essays in Sociology - International Library_~r Sociology, 1947
' '
Street Co~ner Society Chicago Univ. Press, 194?~
BIBLIOGRAPHX (contd)
~AT SON E.
BATSON E.
~HELLMAN E.
HUTT W,E,
JACOBSON E,
Jl •
-III-
B. PAMPHT..ETS; REPORTS; WICLES
Series of Reports and Studies issued by tba Social Survey of Cape Town:
SS 1, The Growth of the Population of Greater Cape Town, ·1941
SS 2, The Ethnic Distribution of the Population of Greater Cape Town, 19~1
SS 4, The Distribution of Poverty among· Coloured Households in Cape Town,1941
SP 3. The Poverty L!ne in Cape Town, 1942
SW lO?.Food Consumption in Coloured Household~ 1942.
Social Security and the Coloured People s. A .• Institute of Race Relation.s, 1940
A Contribution to the Study of.Urban Coloured Poverty. tRace Relations" Vol.IX. No,41)
CUlture Contacts and Social Change ("Race Relations", Vol,XV,No.l & 2, 1948)
Wage Fixation and the Coloured People ("Race Relations" Vol. IX.No.l. 1941)
The-Cape Coloured; a Bibliography (U.C.T. School of Librariansb!P) (Bibliographical Series, 1945}
JOHANNESBURG DIOCESAN COMM. The Coloured People of South Africa, 1943
LAVIS s.w.
MANUAL G.
QUINTIN WHYTE M.A.
SONNABEND H.S.A.
THOMPSON L.JA,
~IILLIAMSON G .. E.
Cape Town's Underworld, 1943
South African Poverty stricken P,."l.etariat
The Coloured People; a Bibliography (U,C.T.School of Librarianship Bibliograpbica: Series, 1943)
Weltare and Efficiency of Industrial Personnel (''Race Relations", Vol, XVI,No,l, 1949)
South Africa's Stepchi}.dren (Nool6.S.A.Affa1rs Pamphlets, 1948)
The Cape Coloured Franchise (New African Pamph·lets No.20o S.A.Inst.R.R.)
'Multi-Racial Problems and the Development of the Manufacturing Industry in S,A. ("Race Relations", Vol, XV, No.1 & 2, 1948)
/
4.6.;4/1937
4.6.30/1939
-IV•
cemmission ':r .enquiry regard.ing the 'Cape Coloured Population of the ·union.
· Commfssion of Mixed Marriages .
4.6o28/44 : 41/45/~/lQ/48 Reports of tbe Coloured Advisory Council
4Q6 •. )3/4:; Cape Coloured ~.lquor C~mm1ss1on
4.6.22/48
. '
Report of the Natj,onal Housing and Planning commission.
Third Report of the. Social and Economic Planning council •
\'
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