South Africa

The Cape of Good Hope Under the Dutch East India Company 1652-1795

From the time when the Dutch flag was first planted there in 1652, C.R. Boxer describes how the Cape became the maritime half-way house between Europe and Asia.

The Great South African Trek

C.H.N. Routh records the travels and travails of the Boer pioneers

The battle of Cuito Cuanavale was a key moment in the smokescreen conflict of the Cold War played out in southern Africa. Gary Baines looks at the ways in which opposing sides are now remembering the event.

Who Rules South Africa?

Martin Plaut examines the alliance between the African National Congress (ANC), the Communist Party and the major trade union movement, COSATU.

The Boer War & British Society

Peter Donaldson examines how the British people reacted to the various stages of the South African war of 1899-1902.

A South African election

Richard Cavendish remembers the Union of South Africa's first election campaign in September 1910.

South Africa: Remembering Sharpeville

The killing of 69 black South Africans on March 21st, 1960 was a turning point: the world judged apartheid to be morally bankrupt and the political agitation that ensued would eventually overturn white supremacy.

South Africa’s Forgotten War

White South Africans who fought in the long ‘Border War’ to maintain apartheid now find themselves in a country run by their former enemies. Gary Baines examines their continuing struggle to come to terms with the conflict and their efforts to have their voices heard.