THE EROSION OF RESIDENTIAL SEGREGATION IN SOUTH-AFRICA - THE GRAYING OF ALBERT-PARK IN DURBAN

In South Africa the state plays a major role in influencing the socio- spatial structuring of society. The Group Areas Act, which emphasised racial residential segregation, was one of the key instruments used to enforce the ideology of apartheid. However, since the mid-1980s many blacks began to move into white designated group areas, which blurred race-space divisions and led to the formation of 'grey areas'. Against the background of the socio-political changes which have taken place in South Africa over the past decade, this paper examines the internal dynamics in one such grey area, Albert Park in Durban. This paper tra ces the arrival of blacks in Albert Park, and identifies the problems which they have experienced in the area. The nature of black protest a nd resistance to evictions in Albert Park is evaluated. The white reac tion to the process of residential integration in Albert Park is also analysed. Finally, the response of the Durban City Council is consider ed. This paper concludes that blacks were moving into Albert Park beca use of a shortage of accommodation and a desire to escape from the str ife-torn townships. However, they experienced numerous problems such a s curfews, evictions without notice, and regular harassment from the p olice. Conservative Durban city councillors expressed concern that the desegregation process in Albert Park will threaten white working-clas s interests, while liberal councillors called for the whole of Durban to be declared 'open'. White fears that the influx of blacks into Albe rt Park would lead to an increase in crime and a decline in property v alues were unfounded. The abolition of the Group Areas Act in 1991 mer ely gave 'de jure recognition to a de facto situation'.