The study of the history of children has been marginalised over the centuries. Children
are the lifeblood of any society and play a significant role in its development. It was only
recently that the role of children was recognized.
This study focuses on reasons for indigency in early twentieth century Durban. It
establishes the various socio - economic factors responsible for this phenomenon. This
led to the abuse of children's rights and the rise of child indigency. The incidence of child
labour and vagrant children roaming the streets of Durban led to white philanthropists
forming the Durban Child Welfare Society. Indigent children of colour were denied
access to this welfare society. In 1927, two institutions were established to cater for
indigent Indian children, The Aryan Benevolent Children's Home and The Durban Indian
Child Welfare.
The Great Depression saw a phenomenal increase in the number of indigent children in
Durban. Municipal authorities were reluctant to confront the rising tide of indigent black
children. After negative press coverage, the municipality established the Bantu Child
Welfare Society in 1936. This was inadequate to cater for the burgeoning number of
indigent children. Social activists later developed places of safety, such as the Brandon
Bantu Home and the Motala Lads' Hostel to assist indigent African and Indian children
The outbreak of World War Two and a relaxation of influx controlled to a diaspora of
Africans to the city. The reversal of influx controlled to a series of socio-economic
challenges for African children particularly. Unemployment, coupled with indigency,
soared resulting in children loitering the streets of white suburbs in search of jobs and
food. Complaints from recalcitrant white residents led to the arrest and detention of
children between the ages of 6 and 16 at the notorious Overport Detention Barracks.
Appalling conditions at these barracks led to a public outcry. Child care crusaders,
ensured that appropriate action was taken to rectify the situation. This prompted a shift in
government policy towards childcare for black indigent children in Durban. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/10446 |
| Date | January 2002 |
| Creators | Pillay, Gengatharen. |
| Contributors | Goedhals, Mandy. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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