The Work of Repair: Capacity after Colonialism in the Timber Plantations of South Africa

In 2008, timber corporations distributed hot cooked meals to boost productivity and profits in northeastern South Africa's timber plantations. Amandla, an Nguni word meaning power, strength, or capacity, organizes ordinary concerns with one's abilities to earn a wage, strengthen one's body, and take care of others. This ethnography by Cousins examines how amandla, as the primary material of the work of repair, anchors ordinary scenes of living and working in and around the plantations. The plantation depends on the availability of creative action in ordinary life to capitalize on bodily capacity, and the book explores the existential, ethical, and political stakes of ethnography from and of late liberal South Africa.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: Fordham University Press

In the timber plantations of northeastern South Africa, laborers toil long hours amidst towering rows of eucalyptus trees, on land that once belonged to them. In 2008, at the peak of the HIV/AIDS crisis, timber corporations implemented a nutrition intervention by distributing hot cooked meals as a means to boost declining productivity and profits. However, the essence of life and sustenance extends far beyond mere calories and mechanistic bodies. What is at stake is the cultivation of capacity across all domains of existence—physical, relational, and cosmological—in the form of amandla. An Nguni word meaning power, strength, or capacity, amandla organizes ordinary concerns with one's abilities to earn a wage, strengthen one's body, and care for others. It describes the potency of medicines and sexual vitality, as well as a history of anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggle for freedom. The coordinated actions directed by and aimed at amandla do not obscure the wounding effects of plantation labor or the long history of racial oppression, but rather form the foundation of what the Algerian artist Kader Attia calls repair. In this captivating ethnography, Cousins examines how amandla, as the primary material of repair work, anchors ordinary scenes of living and working within and around the plantations. As a space of exploitation that enables the global paper and packaging industry to extract labor power, the plantation relies on the availability of creative action in everyday life to capitalize on bodily capacity.
The Work of Repair is a meticulously detailed exploration of the intricate relationships between laborers in the timber plantations of KwaZulu-Natal, and the historical decompositions and reinventions of the milieu of those livelihoods and lives. Offering a novel perspective on the existential, ethical, and political dimensions of ethnography, this book sheds light on the complex interplay between labor, power, and the environment in this region. Through meticulous fieldwork and thoughtful analysis, Cousins unravels the ways in which amandla, as a concept and practice, shapes the lives and livelihoods of the workers involved. He demonstrates how amandla serves as a tool for resistance, empowerment, and healing, enabling laborers to navigate the challenges and complexities of their work and their lives. Moreover, The Work of Repair sheds light on the broader social and political implications of plantation labor and the extractive industries. It raises questions about the ethics of exploitation, the rights of workers, and the responsibilities of corporations to address the social and environmental consequences of their activities. By examining the work of repair through the lens of amandla, Cousins offers a powerful critique of the dominant narratives of development and progress. He challenges the notion that economic growth and prosperity are the sole measures of success and highlights the importance of nurturing capacity, resilience, and sustainability in all aspects of life. In conclusion, The Work of Repair is a groundbreaking and essential contribution to the field of ethnography. Through its rich and nuanced analysis, Cousins provides a deep understanding of the complex relationships between labor, power, and the environment in the timber plantations of KwaZulu-Natal. This book offers valuable insights into the lives and livelihoods of the workers involved, as well as the broader social and political implications of plantation labor and the extractive industries. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of contemporary society and the urgent need for sustainable and equitable solutions.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781531503536