Abstract
M.A. (Historical studies)
The years 1980s and 1990s saw a different kind of violence in South Africa, especially in
Venda. South Africa's long history of violence was always associated with the anti-apartheid struggle and a good example of this was the 1976 student uprising in Soweto. During the 1980s and 1990s many people accused of practicing witchcraft were killed and the perpetrators were showered with praises from all quarters of the community. It is believed that the majority of those who perished were women. This was possible because the idea that witches were women had gained fertile ground both at Fefe, Tshiungani and also in academic work. Many academic writers and popular memory showed little interest in women's role in witchcraft killings. Only men were viewed as comrades. These are the perceptions that this research will attempt to disprove. At the end statements such as witches were not always women, women were not always passive and finally, women were also comrades will be made, therefore disproving perceptions that people might have nurtured all along. This will be made clear by focusing on two case studies involving witchcraft violence.