South Africa

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.

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

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

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, writes Gary Baines.

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.

Michael Willis focuses on the origins of the Boer War in a way that could make for a stimulating role-play.

Damian O’Connor examines the motives of the man who started the conflict.

On May 31st, 1902, the Peace of Vereeniging was signed, ending the Second Boer War between Britain and the two Afrikaner republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State.

Richard Cavendish charts the founding of Cape Town, on April 7th, 1652.

'Frankly I am ashamed of being a Briton for the treatment we have meted out to the Boers as revealed by you and so justly condemned in your pages’ - John Burns to W. T. Stead.

Richard Cavendish describes the relief of Mafeking, following a seven-month siege, on May 16th/17th, 1900.

David Nash argues that opposition to the Second Boer War began the tradition of peace politics that has flourished through the twentieth century.

J.E. Spence considers the interface between ideological and geopolitical factors in the struggle for supremacy in Southern Africa.