Skip to content

Campaigning Wiki

4 min read

lang: en

Summary

In 1957, black South Africans in Johannesburg boycotted buses to protest a fare increase by the Public Utility Transport Corporation (PUTCO). The boycott lasted from January 7 to April 1 and involved up to 60,000 participants walking long distances to work. The campaign succeeded in forcing the government to double the levy on employers to subsidize African transport, allowing riders to pay the old fare of 4d.

Tactics used

Tactics used

Background

In 1957, the Public Utility Transport Corporation (PUTCO) raised the bus fare from 4d to 5d for commuters in Johannesburg, an increase of about 2 pennies per trip. Eighty percent of Johannesburg Africans lived below the poverty line, making the fare hike unaffordable. The black residents of Alexandra, tired of exploitation and low wages, launched a boycott on January 7, 1957, with the slogan ‘Azikhwelwa’ (‘We shall not ride’).

What happened

On January 7, 1957, black South Africans in Alexandra launched a bus boycott, walking 22 miles to Johannesburg instead of riding. [source: nv-database] The Alexandra People’s Transport Action Committee (APTAC) formed that day, drawing representatives from organizations including the African National Congress, the Standholders’ Association, and the Movement for a Democracy of Content. [source: nv-database] By the second day, the boycott spread to Sophiatown and Lady Selbourne, and within a week to Atteridgeville, Mooiplaats, New Clare, Germiston, and Edinvale (though these joined for only a week). [source: nv-database] During the second week, residents of Moroka and Javabu joined in sympathy even though their fares had not been raised. [source: nv-database] White motorists provided lifts, but police harassed them by stopping cars, demanding licenses, and measuring seat space. [source: nv-database] Police also arrested boycotters on minor charges and deflated bicycle tires. [source: nv-database] Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela sent messages of encouragement, expanding the campaign’s scope to include opposition to apartheid. [source: nv-database] The boycotters grew weary but continued, with the committee stating, ‘When we are too tired, we will stay home and rest.’ Employers and the Chamber of Commerce tried to negotiate, but a compromise was reached on April 1: boycotters bought tickets stamped 5d but paid only 4d, pending a study of wages and a permanent fare solution. [source: nv-database] By the end of June, the government introduced a Bill in Parliament that doubled the levy on employers for subsidizing African transport, allowing riders to pay the old fare of 4d. [source: nv-database] The boycott was celebrated as both an economic and political victory, demonstrating that protests against the national government could succeed and that black South Africans were more powerful than previously perceived [source: nv-database].

Key people & organizations

  • Dan Mokonyane
  • Alexandra People’s Transport Action Committee (APTAC)
  • African National Congress
  • Oliver Tambo
  • Nelson Mandela
  • Public Utility Transport Corporation (PUTCO)
  • South African government

Outcome

Verdict: won.

The boycott achieved its primary goal of reversing the fare increase, as the government doubled the levy on employers to subsidize African transport, allowing riders to pay the old fare. However, the demand for a government study on higher wages was not fulfilled. The campaign grew from a local protest to a national symbol of resistance against apartheid, inspiring later movements like the Soweto Uprising. [source: nv-database]

Lessons

  • A sustained consumer boycott can force economic and political concessions when it disrupts the target’s revenue and public order.
  • Building a broad coalition of community organizations and gaining sympathy from outside groups (e.g., white motorists) amplifies pressure and legitimacy.
  • A simple, memorable slogan (e.g., ‘Azikhwelwa’) can unify participants and maintain morale over months of hardship.

Sources

Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.

Sources & verification

  • nv-database — grounding: primary — license: link-only
  • Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via worker_casestudies_v2.py

Graph View

Backlinks