Johnathan Paoli
Professor Eddie Webster passed away at the age of 81 on Tuesday, with many saying that his legacy continues to inspire those who strive for a more just and equitable society.
Webster, a towering figure in South African sociology, dedicated his life to understanding and advocating for the rights of South African workers.
Born in 1942, Webster’s academic journey began at Rhodes University, followed by studies at Oxford and York universities. He earned a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where he later became a Professor Emeritus.
His impact on South African academia is undeniable, and he is widely credited as being the pioneer of the country’s sociology of work and labor studies. His seminal work, Cast in a Racial Mould, remains a cornerstone text, analysing the intricate relationship between the labor process and the evolution of the South African labor movement. Beyond his scholarship, he
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