Perspectives on Southern Africa

Bureaucracy and Race overturns the common assumption that apartheid in South Africa was enforced only through terror and coercion. Without understating the role of violent intervention, Ivan Evans shows that apartheid was sustained by a great and ever-swelling bureaucracy. The Department of Native Affairs (DNA), which had dwindled during the last years of the segregation regime, unexpectedly revived and became the arrogant, authoritarian fortress of apartheid after 1948. The DNA was a major player in the prolonged exclusion of Africans from citizenship and the establishment of a racially repressive labor market.

Exploring the connections between racial domination and bureaucratic growth in South Africa, Evans points out that the DNA's transformation of oppression into "civil administration" institutionalized and, for whites, legitimized a vast, coercive bureaucratic culture, which ensnared millions of Africans in its workings and corrupted the entire state. Evans focuses on certain features of apartheid—the pass system, the "racialization of space" in urban areas, and the cooptation of African chiefs in the Bantustans—in order to make it clear that the state's relentless administration, not its overtly repressive institutions, was the most distinctive feature of South Africa in the 1950s.

All observers of South Africa past and present and of totalitarian states in general will follow with interest the story of how the Department of Native Affairs was crucial in transforming "the idea of apartheid" into a persuasive—and all too durable—practice.


Bureaucracy and Race overturns the common assumption that apartheid in South Africa was enforced only through terror and coercion. Without understating the role of violent intervention, Ivan Evans shows that apartheid was sustained by a great and e

This collection of interviews explores the role of religion in the lives of eminent South Africans who led the struggle against apartheid. Nelson Mandela, Chris Hani, Desmond Tutu, Nadine Gordimer, and seventeen other political, religious, and cultural leaders share the beliefs and values that informed the moral positions they adopted, often at great cost. From all ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds, these men and women have shaped one of the greatest political transformations of the century.

What emerges from the interviews are reflections on all aspects of life in an embattled country. There are stories of the homelands and townships, and tales of imprisonment and exile. Dedicated communists relate their intense youthful devotion to Christianity; Muslim activists discuss the complexity of their relationships with their communities. As the respondents grapple with difficult questions about faith, politics, and authority, they expose a more personal picture: of their daily lives, of their pasts, and of the enormous conflicts that arise in a society that continually strains the moral fiber of its citizens. Taken together, these interviews reveal the many-faceted vision that has fueled South Africa's struggle for democracy.


This collection of interviews explores the role of religion in the lives of eminent South Africans who led the struggle against apartheid. Nelson Mandela, Chris Hani, Desmond Tutu, Nadine Gordimer, and seventeen other political, religious, and cultural le

This book tells the story of the lives of migrant black African men who work on the South African gold mines, told from their own point of view and, as much as possible, in their own words. Dunbar Moodie examines the operation of local power structures and resistances, changes in production techniques, the limits and successes of unionization, and the nature of ethnic conflicts at different periods and on different terrains of struggle. He treats his subject thematically and historically, examining how notions of integrity, manhood, sexuality, work, power, solidarity, and violence have all changed over time, especially with the shift to a proletarianized work force on the mines in the 1970s. Moodie integrates analyses of individual life-strategies with theories of social change, illuminating the ways in which these play off each other in historically significant ways. He shows how human beings (in this case, African men) build integrity and construct their own social order, even in situations of apparent total repression.

Refusing to be governed by what is fashionable or inoffensive, Heribert Adam and Kogila Moodley frankly address the passions and rationalities that drive politics in post-apartheid South Africa. They argue that the country's quest for democracy is widely misunderstood and that public opinion abroad relies on stereotypes of violent tribalism and false colonial analogies.

Adam and Moodley criticize the personality cult surrounding Nelson Mandela and the accolades accorded F. W. de Klerk. They reject the black-versus-white conflict and substitute sober analysis and strategic pragmatism for the moral outrage that typifies so much writing about South Africa. Believing that the best expression of solidarity emanates from sympathetic but candid criticism, they pose challenging questions for the African National Congress and Nelson Mandela. They give in-depth coverage to political violence, the ANC-South African Communist Party alliance, Inkatha, and other controversial topics as well.

The authors do not propose a solution that will guarantee a genuinely democratic South Africa. What they offer is an understanding of the country's social conditions and political constraints, and they sketch options for both a new South Africa and a new post-Cold War foreign policy for the whole of southern Africa. The importance of this book is as immediate as today's headlines.


Refusing to be governed by what is fashionable or inoffensive, Heribert Adam and Kogila Moodley frankly address the passions and rationalities that drive politics in post-apartheid South Africa. They argue that the country's quest for democracy is widely

David Attwell defends the literary and political integrity of South African novelist J.M. Coetzee by arguing that Coetzee has absorbed the textual turn of postmodern culture while still addressing the ethical tensions of the South African crisis. As a form of "situational metafiction," Coetzee's writing reconstructs and critiques some of the key discourses in the history of colonialism and apartheid from the eighteenth century to the present. While self-conscious about fiction-making, it takes seriously the condition of the society in which it is produced.

Attwell begins by describing the intellectual and political contexts surrounding Coetzee's fiction and then provides a developmental analysis of his six novels, drawing on Coetzee's other writings in stylistics, literary criticism, translation, political journalism and popular culture. Elegantly written, Attwell's analysis deals with both Coetzee's subversion of the dominant culture around him and his ability to see the complexities of giving voice to the anguish of South Africa.

Powerful, instructive, and full of humanity, this book challenges the current understanding of the war that has turned Mozambique—a naturally rich country—into the world's poorest nation. Before going to Mozambique, William Finnegan saw the war, like so many foreign observers, through a South African lens, viewing the conflict as apartheid's "forward defense." This lens was shattered by what he witnessed and what he heard from Mozambicans, especially those who had lived with the bandidos armado, the "armed bandits" otherwise known as the Renamo rebels. The shifting, wrenching, ground-level stories that people told combine to form an account of the war more local and nuanced, more complex, more African—than anything that has been politically convenient to describe.

A Complicated War combines frontline reporting, personal narrative, political analysis, and comparative scholarship to present a picture of a Mozambique harrowed by profound local conflicts—ethnic, religious, political and personal. Finnegan writes that South Africa's domination and destabilization are basic elements of Mozambique's plight, but he offers a subtle description and analysis that will allow us to see the post-apartheid region from a new, more realistic, if less comfortable, point of view.


Powerful, instructive, and full of humanity, this book challenges the current understanding of the war that has turned Mozambique—a naturally rich country—into the world's poorest nation. Before going to Mozambique, William Finnegan saw the war, like so m

A Democratic South Africa? Constitutional Engineering in a Divided Society explores the formidable challenges of building a democratic system in a society as racially and ethnically divided as South Africa. The book underscores the complexity of crafting institutions and processes that can foster inclusivity and stability in a deeply polarized setting. South Africa's history of apartheid has left a legacy of distrust and ideological division, with extreme political forces at both ends of the spectrum threatening the democratic experiment. The author addresses critical questions of constitutional design, minority rights protection, and electoral systems, emphasizing the necessity of innovative solutions to counter conflict and promote intergroup cooperation.

The study situates South Africa's democratization within a broader comparative context, highlighting its potential as a case study for other divided societies. It examines how democratic processes can transform relationships among political actors, even in unpromising conditions. By focusing on the interplay between constitutional processes and institutional design, the book offers insights into how participation, negotiation, and decision-making shape democratic outcomes. Ultimately, it presents South Africa as a quintessential challenge to democratic conflict management, where success could provide valuable lessons for fostering democracy in similarly fragmented contexts.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1991.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1990.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1987.

Almost every anti-colonial struggle this century has been led by an army of guerrillas. No such struggle has succeeded without a very high degree of cooperation between guerrillas and the local peasantry. But what does "cooperation" between peasants and guerrillas really consist of? What effect does it have on the way they view the world for which they fight?

In the struggle for Zimbabwe (1966-80), hundreds of thousands of peasants provided the guerrillas with practical help and support. But they went a good deal further. Throughout the country scores of spirit mediums, the religious leaders of Shona, gave active support to resistance. With their participation, the scale of the war expanded into an astonishing act of collaboration between ancestors and their descendants, the past and the present, the living and the dead.

This book is a detailed study of one key "operational zone" in the Zambezi valley. It shows that to understand the meaning the war and independence have for the people of Zimbabwe themselves, we must take into account not only the nationalist guerrillas and politicians, the bearers of guns, but also the mediums of the spirits of the Shona royal ancestors, the bringers of rain.

Education, Race, and Social Change in South Africa examines the deep-rooted issues of higher education in South Africa, highlighting the complex interplay between race, politics, and access to education. Beginning with the colonial foundations of South African higher education in the early 19th century, it traces the development of institutions such as the University of Cape Town and the University of Fort Hare, reflecting the segregated nature of the education system. As the country transitioned to a republic in the 20th century, the policies of apartheid shaped the university landscape, leading to the creation of separate institutions for various racial groups. The book explores how these divisions have persisted, particularly in the context of racial inequalities in enrollment and access to quality education, with black students historically underrepresented in South Africa’s leading universities.

The study also delves into the evolving nature of South African higher education in the face of racial segregation, examining the impact of political shifts on the educational landscape. With the rise of the National Party in 1948 and the implementation of strict segregation policies, the book explores the creation of ethnic universities for non-white students and the ongoing challenges faced by these institutions in providing quality education. The book raises critical questions about the future of education in South Africa, focusing on the need for reform to bridge the educational divide, address teacher shortages, and promote greater racial integration within universities. It also considers the role of international collaboration and aid in fostering educational opportunities for black South Africans and suggests possible pathways for achieving equitable educational access.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1982.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1981.

Black Heart unveils the dual legacy of Stewart Gore-Browne, a remarkable figure whose journey intertwined with the colonial and post-colonial histories of Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia. On one hand, Gore-Browne was a statesman and advocate for African rights, championing progressive legislation and fostering dialogue that challenged the colonial status quo. As Northern Rhodesia’s representative at pivotal conferences, he tirelessly advanced African interests in imperial circles. On the other, he was a quintessential English squire, managing his sprawling Shiwa Ngandu estate while hosting an eclectic mix of titled guests, political figures, and African leaders—long before such integration was socially acceptable among the settler elite. His life exemplified the rare convergence of privilege, reformist ideals, and a profound commitment to equitable race relations in colonial Africa.

Drawing from an extraordinary archive of personal letters, diaries, and official documents, this biography sheds light on the forces that shaped Gore-Browne’s transformation from aristocratic officer to a pioneer of African nationalism. The work examines his family ties, his wartime experiences, and the moral convictions that led him to embrace African self-governance. Through interviews with key figures, including President Kenneth Kaunda, and meticulous research across continents, the book delves into Gore-Browne’s complex identity and enduring influence. Combining political history with personal narrative, Black Heart offers an intimate portrait of a man who stood out as both a settler and a champion of African liberation, making a profound impact on the trajectory of modern Zambia.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1977.

"This book, better than any I have seen, provides an understanding of the politics and ideology of orthodox African nationalism, or Black Power, in South Africa since World War II. . . . from the Youth League of the African Student National Congress (ANC) of the late 1940s to the South African Student Organization (SASO) and the Black Consciousness Movement of the 1970s."—Perspective

"Clarifies some of the main issues that have divided the black leadership and rescues the work of some pioneering nationalist theorists. . . . It's an absorbing piece of history."—New York Times

"Informative and well-researched. . . . She ably explores the nuances of the two main movements until 1960 and explains why blacks were so receptive to black consciousness in the late Sixties."—New York Review


"This book, better than any I have seen, provides an understanding of the politics and ideology of orthodox African nationalism, or Black Power, in South Africa since World War II. . . . from the Youth League of the African Student National Congress (ANC)

Change in Contemporary South Africa examines the intricate and often contradictory realities of South Africa during a period of significant political and social tension. The book explores the coexistence of apparent governmental stability—marked by economic growth, a strong coercive apparatus, and sustained White political dominance—with increasing signs of resistance, including labor strikes, student unrest, and growing international condemnation. By presenting a range of interpretations—from authoritarian entrenchment to the potential for revolutionary change—it delves into the complex dynamics that shape South Africa's trajectory.

Structured across sections that analyze internal community dynamics, instruments of White domination, and the country's external relations, the book scrutinizes the processes of change within South Africa's unique socio-political framework. With contributions from scholars spanning diverse disciplines and perspectives, it raises critical questions about the future of racial inequality, the potential for redistribution of power and wealth, and the role of internal and external pressures in shaping outcomes. This comprehensive yet nuanced analysis offers a valuable lens for understanding a society on the brink of transformation, with implications that resonate far beyond its borders.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1975.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.

Crown and Charter: The Early Years of the British South Africa Company delves into the complex origins and operations of one of the most controversial enterprises of European expansion in Africa. This meticulously researched volume examines the British South Africa Company, a chartered venture driven by Cecil John Rhodes' ambition and the permissive stance of the imperial government. While Rhodes' dominance shaped much of the company’s direction, the book illuminates the broader dynamics, including the interactions between the London board, imperial policymakers, and local contexts in Central Africa. Through vivid detail, the narrative explores the bold ambitions, ethical ambiguities, and far-reaching consequences of the company's early activities, including its ties to stock market speculation and its impact on indigenous populations.

The book balances a critical lens with historical analysis, capturing the contradictions between the company's stated ideals of promoting Christianity, commerce, and civilization and its often self-serving pursuits. With nuanced discussions on Rhodes' character, the moral implications of colonial endeavors, and the passive complicity of other stakeholders, the text provides a comprehensive view of this pivotal chapter in British imperial history. A compelling read for scholars and history enthusiasts alike, Crown and Charter offers both a detailed study of the British South Africa Company and a broader reflection on the ethics and realities of colonialism.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.

This book examines the political landscape of South Africa from 1934 to 1948, focusing on the ideological conflict between Afrikaner nationalism and policies aimed at conciliation between Afrikaners and English-speaking South Africans. The Union of South Africa, founded in 1910, unified the country under a government heavily influenced by British principles but also included leaders from the former Boer republics. Early South African politics became a struggle between two major political ideologies: one that promoted Afrikaner nationalism, advocating for Afrikaner cultural and political interests, and another that supported "conciliation," a philosophy attempting to bridge ethnic divides and foster unity among white South Africans.

The book highlights that conciliation parties faced significant challenges in gaining long-term Afrikaner support, as they needed to balance competing interests between English-speaking South Africans and Afrikaners, who felt a strong sense of ethnic identity. Afrikaner nationalist parties, however, did not need this balance and could draw on the deep-seated solidarity within their community. The critical turning point in this era, according to the author, was Prime Minister Jan Smuts’ decision in 1939 to align South Africa with Britain in declaring war on Germany. This move alienated a large portion of the Afrikaner electorate, who saw it as a violation of the "South Africa first" principle and contributed significantly to the United Party's waning support.

This estrangement between Afrikaners and conciliation parties, the author argues, set the stage for the rise of the National Party and their victory in 1948, which marked the start of apartheid. While many observers attributed the Nationalist victory to the appeal of apartheid policies, this study suggests that the National Party's success stemmed more fundamentally from the longstanding disillusionment with conciliation policies and the failure of conciliation leaders to create "integrative" solutions that resonated with both Afrikaners and English-speaking South Africans. This historical analysis sheds light on how ethnic divisions and unresolved political conflicts laid the groundwork for South Africa’s mid-20th-century shift toward Afrikaner-dominated governance.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.

Confrontation and Accommodation in Southern Africa: The Limits of Independence examines the complex regional dynamics, racial tensions, and political maneuverings within southern Africa during a period of profound social and political upheaval. The book delves into the interplay of economic, political, racial, and military variables, offering a comprehensive study of regional international relations. It highlights the interactions among states and non-state actors in a system fraught with conflict, exploring themes such as race's role in policy, the ideological divides between black- and white-governed territories, and the profound effects of guerrilla warfare and politico-military confrontations. With a focus on intra-regional patterns, the book sheds light on the connections between southern Africa's sub-system and the broader global context.

Authoritative and extensively researched, this work contextualizes the relationships among territories from Angola and South Africa to Tanzania and Madagascar. Through its multidimensional approach, the book provides valuable insights into the evolving diplomatic, economic, and social networks in the region. It also critiques the power structures perpetuated by white-dominated regimes and the counter-efforts of liberation movements. Confrontation and Accommodation in Southern Africa is a vital resource for understanding the historical and ongoing complexities of this pivotal region, making it indispensable for scholars and policymakers alike.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.

This title was originally published in 1973.


This title was originally published in 1973.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1972.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1972.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.

The Autobiography of an Unknown South African by Naboth Mokgatle offers a detailed and rich narrative of the author’s life and his tribal roots, providing a vivid glimpse into the customs, traditions, and history of the Bafokeng people of South Africa. Mokgatle begins with his family history, recounting the circumstances of his birth in 1911 in Phokeng, a tribal village in the Rustenburg district of the Transvaal Province. He describes the complex dynamics of his family, shaped by both African traditions and the influence of Christianity, which often created tension in their practices. The narrative reveals the traditional African values of marriage, gender roles, and the discipline instilled in children, highlighting how his father’s strict yet caring nature governed their upbringing. Through anecdotes about his siblings and the unique family circumstances, Mokgatle intertwines personal stories with broader cultural themes, demonstrating how tribal laws and Christian beliefs shaped his family’s life and the society they inhabited.

The book also delves into the historical and cultural legacy of Mokgatle’s Bafokeng tribe, tracing their migration from Lesotho to Botswana and eventually to the Transvaal. The tribe’s identity, symbolized by the crocodile, is intricately tied to their customs, including circumcision, marriage traditions, and communal living. Mokgatle recounts how the tribe split into three sections due to a dispute over chieftainship, leading to the formation of independent clans that still maintained cultural ties and a shared identity. Through vivid descriptions of agricultural practices, food preparation, and the artistry of pottery, Mokgatle portrays a self-sufficient community deeply connected to the land and its resources. He also reflects on the impact of European influence and Christianity on the tribe, which introduced both modern conveniences and challenges to traditional ways of life. This autobiography stands as both a personal memoir and a cultural archive, capturing the complexities of transitioning from traditional African society to a modern, colonized world.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1971.