In this article, a broad overview of the main causes and theories of revolution<br />is presented. The objective is to obtain, by analysing recent events in South Africa<br />pertaining to the ongoing protest actions over service delivery at local government<br />level, some indication of revolutionary potential in South Africa. In this regard, there<br />seem to be two basic views, namely on the one hand, that violent protest action at<br />local level can lead to revolutionary activity, and on the other hand, that the protest<br />can be contained but aspects of policy will have to be adapted.