History and hope in Cradock, Eastern Cape

Abstract:South African small towns receive relatively little research attention. Many find themselves in great difficulty presently. The article examines Cradock and its people using some of the relatively unusual volume of literature on this small town. The article briefly considers contemporary developments and concludes with some thoughts about the future. Its interest is in transformations that have (and have not) taken place in the town, so imbued in the consciousness of many political and other moments in wider society–the Eastern Cape particularly, and South Africa more generally. It argues that deeper consideration of histories as well as their traces in present social dynamics can contribute to addressing the difficulties that the town faces, and provides some thoughts on how that may occur, as well as suggesting forms of further research.