A Living Archive – 1973 Durban Strikes: Celebrating 50 Years

ABSTRACT: From January 26-28, 2023, scholars, activists and representatives of a variety of research or public agencies met at the Hotel School Conference Centre, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Ritson Campus to participate in a conference titled '1973 Durban Strikes: Celebrating 50 Years'. The aim of the event was to commemorate a significant turning point in South Africa's labour history. Its participants paid particular attention to South African trade unions' decisive role in the political life of the country by reflecting on the past, present and future dilemmas regarding work and organising workers. In what follows, I review some of the cross-cutting themes at the conference. While the conference had a more academic focus, I argue that the event was aptly organised as a 'living archive'. Strikingly, the event also recentred the voice of women and their role in the 1973 Durban strikes, in what is often described as the 'Durban Moment'. I conclude with a brief account of the key concerns deliberated at the end of the discussion.