The Emergence of the South African Metropolis

Focusing on South Africa''s three main cities - Johannesburg Cape Town and Durban - this book explores South African urban history from the late nineteenth century onwards. In particular it examines the metropolitan perceptions and experiences of both black and white South Africans as well as those of visitors especially visitors from Britain and North America. Drawing on a rich array of city histories travel writing novels films newspapers radio and television programs and oral histories Vivian Bickford-Smith focuses on the consequences of the depictions of the South African metropolis and the ''slums'' they contained and especially on how senses of urban belonging and geography helped create and reinforce South African ethnicities and nationalisms. This ambitious and pioneering account spanning more than a century will be welcomed by scholars and students of African history urban history and historical geography.