A History of South Africa Read online

  PRAISE FOR EARLIER EDITIONS OF

  A History of South Africa

  “An authoritative text by a distinguished historian.”—Beverley Naidoo, Times Educational Supplement

  “Highly readable.... For a neatly compressed, readable, authoritative account of South African history, this book will take some surpassing.”—Paul Maylam, Journal of African History

  “In A History of South Africa Leonard Thompson again proved his mettle as an historian by augmenting his own insights with the best of those of his erstwhile critics.... The greatest strength of this work is its presentation of such a sweeping and complex history in some of the most lucid prose to be found in such a text. It is an excellent choice for an introductory course, as well as one of the best windows for the general reader to gain perspective on contemporary South Africa.”—Donald Will, Africa Today

  “This magisterial history throws a floodlight on South Africa’s current crisis by examining the past. The absurdity of the apartheid philosophy of racial separatism is underscored by the author’s argument (backed with convincing research material) that the genes of the nation’s first hunter-gatherers are inextricably mixed with those of modem blacks and whites.”—Publishers Weekly

  “Should become the standard general text for South African history. It is recommended for college classes and anyone interested in obtaining a historical framework in which to place events occurring in South Africa today.”—Roger B. Beck, History: Reviews of New Books

  “A must for any serious student of South Africa.”—Senator Dick Clark, Director of the Southern Policy Forum, The Aspen Institute, Washington, D.C.

  “This is a book that fills a great need. As an up-to-date and authoritative summary of South African history by one of the world’s leading experts on the subject, it will tell students, citizens, and policymakers what they need to know about the deep roots of the current South African imbroglio.”—George M. Fredrickson, Stanford University

  “This is an outstanding book and in every sense of the word, ‘revisionist.’ It reflects sound scholarship and is highly readable as well.”—John S. Galbraith, University of California, San Diego

  A HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA

  LEONARD THOMPSON

  A History of South Africa

  FOURTH EDITION

  REVISED AND UPDATED BY

  LYNN BERAT

  First edition published 1990. Fourth edition 2014.

  Preface to the Fourth Edition, Chapter 10, and Appendix copyright © 2014 by Lynn Berat.

  Copyright © 2000 by Leonard Thompson.

  All rights reserved.

  This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, including illustrations, in any form (beyond that copying permitted by Sections 107 and 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law and except by reviewers for the public press), without written permission from the publishers.

  Yale University Press books may be purchased in quantity for educational, business, or promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected] (U.S. office) or [email protected] (U.K. office).

  Printed in the United States of America.

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2013953764

  ISBN: 978-0-300-18935-3 (pbk.)

  A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  CONTENTS

  List of Illustrations

  List of Maps

  Preface to the Fourth Edition

  by Lynn Berat

  Preface to the Third Edition

  Preface to the 1995 Edition

  Chronology

  1. The Africans

  2. The White Invaders: The Cape Colony, 1652–1870

  3. African Wars and White Invaders: Southeast Africa, 1770–1870

  4. Diamonds, Gold, and British Imperialism, 1870–1910

  5. The Segregation Era, 1910–1948

  6. The Apartheid Era, 1948–1978

  7. Apartheid in Crisis, 1978–1989

  8. The Political Transition, 1989–1994

  9. The New South Africa, 1994–1999

  10. Beyond the New South Africa, 1999–2014

  by Lynn Berat

  Appendix: Statistics

  Notes

  Index

  ILLUSTRATIONS

  Frontispiece Nelson Mandela casts his vote in South Africa’s first all-race election, April 27, 1994. Photo: AP/World Wide Photos.

  Following page 134

  1. Rock Painting, Mount Hope, Eastern Cape Province. Reprinted from Major Rock Paintings of Southern Africa, ed. Timothy Maggs (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1979), pl. 43. Courtesy Indiana University Press and David Philip, Publisher, Claremont, South Africa.

  2. Khoikhoi Pastoralists at Table Bay in 1706. Reprinted from Abraham Bogaert, Historische Rewizen Door d’oosteresche Deelen van Asia (Amsterdam, 1711).

  3. A View in the Tswana Town of Ditakong, 1812. Reprinted from William J. Burchell (1781–1863), Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa, 2 vols. (London, 1824), facing 2:464.

  4. Zulu Blacksmiths at Work, 1848. Reprinted from George Frederick Angas (1822–1886), The Kaffirs Illustrated (London, 1849), pl. 23. Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  5. Zulu Kraal at the Tugela River: Women Making Beer, 1848. Reprinted from George Frederick Angas (1822–1886), The Kaffirs Illustrated (London, 1849), pl. 26. Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  6. Vergelegen, the estate of Gov. Adriaan van der Stel, circa 1705. Painting after a modern mural by Jan Juta. Photo: The Mansell Collection Limited, London.

  7. Cape Town and Table Bay, circa 1848. Reprinted from George Frederick Angas (1822–1886), The Kaffirs Illustrated (London, 1849), pl. 1. Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  8. Genadendal, a Moravian Missionary Settlement, circa 1848. Reprinted from George Frederick Angas (1822–1886), The Kaffirs Illustrated (London, 1849), pl. 9. Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  9. Trekboer’s Outspan. Painting by Charles Davidson Bell (1813–1882), reproduced in William F. Lye, ed., Andrew Smith’s Journal of His Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, 1834–36 (Cape Town: A. A. Balkema, 1975), facing p. 138. Photo: Africana Museum, City of Johannesburg Public Library.

  10. South African Traveling. Painting by Charles Davidson Bell (1813–1882), reproduced in William F. Lye, ed., Andrew Smith’s Journal of His Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, 1834–36 (Cape Town: A. A. Balkema, 1975), facing p. 132. Photo: Africana Museum, City of Johannesburg Public Library.

  11. The Landing of the 1820 Settlers. Painting by Thomas Baines (1820–1875). Photo: William Fehr Collection, The Castle, Cape Town.

  12. Wagon Broken Down Crossing the Klaas Smit’s River, 1848. Reprinted from Thomas Baines, Scenery and Events in South Africa (London, 1852), pl. 4. Photo: Africana Museum, City of Johannesburg Public Library.

  13. Graham’s Town in 1848. Reprinted from Thomas Baines, Scenery and Events in South Africa (London, 1852), pl. 2. Photo: Africana Museum, City of Johannesburg Public Library.

  14. Ivory and Skins for Sale in the Grahamstown Market. Reprinted from Illustrated London News, April 21, 1866, p. 392.

  15. The Diamond Diggings, South Africa. Reprinted from Illustrated London News, supplement August 31, 1872, between pp. 212 and 213. Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  16. South Side Staging, Kimberley Mine. Photograph by Aldham and Aldham, Grahamstown, circa 1880. Photo: Manuscripts and Archives Collection, Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University.

  17. Sorting the Gravel for Diamonds. Photo: Manuscripts and Archives Collection, Sterling Memorial
Library, Yale University.

  18. Morning Market, Kimberley, circa 1887. Reprinted from Robert Harris, South Africa (Port Elizabeth, 1888). Photo: Manuscripts and Archives Collection, Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University.

  19. Witwatersrand Main Reef Workings, circa 1887. Reprinted from Robert Harris, South Africa (Port Elizabeth, 1888). Photo: Manuscripts and Archives Collection, Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University.

  20. Morning Market, Johannesburg, circa 1894. Reprinted from Photo-Publishing Co., Photographs of South Africa (Cape Town, 1894). Photo: Manuscripts and Archives Collection, Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University.

  21. A Canteen, circa 1850. Painting by Frederick Timson I’Ons (1802–1887), reprinted from Victor De Kock, Ons Erfenis (Cape Town, 1960), p. 179.

  22. The Conference at Block Drift, January 30, 1846. Reprinted from Henry Martens, Scenes in the Kaffir Wars (London, 1852–54). Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  23. A British Wagon Convoy, circa 1853. Reprinted from Lt. Lumley Graham and Lt. Hugh Robinson, Scenes in Kaffirland (London, 1854). Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  24. The Zulu War: Volunteers Burning Kraals and Driving Away Cattle. Reprinted from Illustrated London News, September 6, 1879, p. 217. Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  25. Creating a New Colony: Hoisting the Royal Standard at Bloemfontein at the Formal Annexation of the Orange Free State. Reprinted from Illustrated London News, supplement, July 7, 1900, between pp. 36 and 37. Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  26. The Guerrilla Warfare in South Africa: Repairing Railway Lines Cut by the Boers. Reprinted from Illustrated London News, January 5, 1901, p. 11. Photo: Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection.

  27. The Congress of the People, 1955. Photo: International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) Photographic Library, London.

  28. Police in Action against African Women, 1959. Photo: IDAF Photographic Library, London.

  29. Forced Removals, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 1959. Photo: IDAF Photographic Library, London.

  30. Nelson Mandela Burns His Pass, 1959. Photo: IDAF Photographic Library, London.

  31. A Farm House and Laborers’ Huts. Photo: IDAF Photographic Library, London.

  32. A United Democratic Front Funeral, 1985. Photo: IDAF Photographic Library, London.

  33. Crossroads, Cape Peninsula, 1986. Photo: IDAF Photographic Library, London.

  34. Cape Peninsula, 1988. Photo: IDAF Photographic Library, London.

  35. An elderly couple waits to vote in 1994 elections. Photo: Rapport/Getty Images.

  36. President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 1998. Photo: Walter Dhladhla/Getty Images.

  37. ANC centenary celebrations, 2012. Photo: Getty Images.

  38. Marikana Massacre, 2012. Photo: Getty Images.

  MAPS

  1. Southern Africa in the sixteenth century

  2. The Cape Colony under the Dutch East India Company, 1652–1795

  3. Xhosa land losses, 1795–1850

  4. Shaka’s Zulu Kingdom and the Mfecane Wars, 1817–1828

  5. The Afrikaner Great Trek, 1836–1854

  6. Basotho land losses, 1843–1870

  7. Southern Africa in 1908

  8. The African “Homelands” of South Africa

  9. Modern Southern Africa

  10. South Africa’s Postapartheid Provinces

  PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION

  South Africa is a place of stunning contrasts: extreme wealth and desperate poverty, heroic devotion to the greater good and klepto- and megalomaniacal self-interest, exceptional natural beauty and environmental desecration. It is, perhaps, not so much a “World in One Country” as the official tourism slogan once claimed, but a universe where worlds collide, always jarringly, sometimes violently. This, the fourth edition of A History of South Africa, includes a new chapter describing the major developments of the post-Mandela years, a time when the euphoria over the political redemption from apartheid ended and a new struggle for equality and democratic maturity began.

  My thanks in this enterprise go to many friends and colleagues in South Africa, the United States, and elsewhere. My deepest gratitude goes to Sarah Miller, my editor at Yale University Press, who endured my frequent delays with equanimity and patience.

  This edition is dedicated to the memory of Leonard Thompson.

  Lynn Berat

  PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

  This edition contains two new chapters: a study of the complex political transition process in light of substantial new evidence and an original account of the new South Africa under President Nelson Mandela and his successor, Thabo Mbeki.

  Once again I am deeply grateful to Lynn Berat for her knowledge and insights, her careful reading of drafts of the new chapters, and her skills in taming my extremely ill-behaved computer; also to Charles Grench, former editor in chief of Yale University Press, Laura Jones Dooley, associate managing editor, and Ali Peterson, reprints editor, for their friendship and professional skills.

  PREFACE TO THE 1995 EDITION

  Readers should be aware that, in South Africa as elsewhere, historians are shaped by the context in which they live and work, and that their publications in turn—especially their textbooks—influence the history of their times. During the British colonial regimes of the nineteenth century, many authors wrote in an imperialist mode. In reaction against that metropolitan bias, British colonists composed works that embodied their perspective as a dominant minority in an African milieu, often at odds with the British metropole; and by the end of the century, when British imperialism was reaching its apogee, Afrikaners were laying the foundations of an exclusive, nationalist historiography. In the segregation and apartheid years, the white regime authorized textbooks and favored other publications in the settler and Afrikaner nationalist traditions of the previous century. Today, those traditions are becoming obsolete. They have been overshadowed by counter-historiographies that, since World War II, have become increasingly rich, varied, and nuanced.

  Historians writing from a critical liberal perspective began to expose the racial bias in the established historiography in the late 1920s. From the 1940s onward, their successors placed unprecedented emphasis on the historical experiences of Africans, Indians, and Coloured People. By the 1970s, some scholars were creating a “radical” historiography, which was influenced by Marxism and highlighted the role of capitalism and the growth of class divisions in South Africa. Initially, a rather clear line demarcated the “liberal” and the “radical” perspectives, though each group also contained great differences—there were variations within the liberal tradition, and radicals drew on rival schools of Marxism. Recently, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the collapse of the communist regimes in eastern Europe and elsewhere, and the global movement toward an open economy, the perspectives have converged considerably. With some exceptions, liberals have been radicalized, radicals have been liberalized. In this book, I have drawn on the rich achievements of both streams of contemporary South African historiography.

  What of the future? Because historians now live in a post–Cold War and postapartheid context, we may expect new departures in South African historiography. Historians with strong commitments to the African nationalist movement may be expected to write from that perspective, which may lead to partisan works resembling a mirror-image of Afrikaner nationalist writings. Meanwhile, scholars and bureaucrats are working to create and authorize school textbooks that reflect the democratic ideology of the new government, in place of the old textbooks, which emphasized the achievements of Whites and denigrated Blacks.

  As a result of the racial structure of South African society, almost none of the scholars who currently hold appointments in history departments in South African universities are Africans and nearly all the historiography of South Africa has been written by white people. In the future, Africans will b
ring new perspectives, new experiences, and new linguistic skills to the study of South African history. They may be expected to explore fresh topics and produce works with distinctive features. This process will be gradual. It will take time for Africans to acquire professional training and research experience and to receive appointments that provide opportunities for historical research.

  We may also expect that historical themes that received scant attention in the past will now come to the fore. Ethnicity is a typical example. Ethnic divisions among Africans were so central to the apartheid ideology that they were taboo for most scholars not tainted by the apartheid regime. Now, the history of the politicization of ethnicity in South Africa, among Blacks as well as Whites, has become highly relevant. Women’s history has already received considerable attention in South Africa, but deeper examination of the role of gender in South African history has become a high priority, owing to unresolved tensions between the ideal of gender equality and the patriarchal traditions and practices of African societies. Among many other themes that warrant closer examination in the new South Africa than previously are historical studies of African health, of African families, of African spirituality and ideology, of South African urbanization, and of the South African environment. We may look forward to works on such themes cast in long-term perspective—exploring the continuities and changes through the centuries before and since the conquest and the impact of industrial capitalism.

  The scene of a variety of complex relations among diverse cultures, South Africa will always offer challenges to creative scholars. One hopes that South African historiography will remain a rich field of intellectual inquiry into the distant future. Meanwhile, this volume is a succinct survey of the present state of knowledge.

  I am grateful to Lynn Berat, Leonard Doob, William Foltz, Christopher Saunders, Robert Shell, and Johann van der Vyver for valuable criticisms of a draft of chapter 8; and to Leslie Bessant, Catherine Higgs, and Sean Redding for comments on the first edition, which they have been using in their university and college classes. This edition, like the first, has benefitted greatly from the professional skills of Charles Grench and Laura Dooley of Yale University Press.