Executive Summary
This article reviews significant contemporary publications on the military history of Southern Africa, highlighting gaps in existing historiography and discussing key conflicts like the Anglo-Zulu War, Anglo-Boer War, and the Angolan Civil War. It emphasizes the region's rich but often under-researched military past, covering diverse perspectives from liberation struggles to naval history.
Why It Matters
This document provides a critical overview of military historical literature in Southern Africa, offering defense analysts insights into past conflicts, strategic dynamics, and the historiographical challenges of the region.
Key Takeaways
- Southern African military historiography suffers from significant shortcomings, including a lack of comprehensive understanding of regional wars and didactic approaches for military professionals.
Source evidence · PDF page 1
Though numerous military history books on southern Africa have been published, there are considerable shortcomings in the military historiography of the region. Many of the sources on the military history of southern Africa lack a comprehensive understanding of war in the region and of the background against which many wars have taken place.
- Nelson Mandela, despite being a
Source evidence · PDF page 6
Mandela states that though he was “a military novice” he was now given the daunting task of “starting an army.” The new organisation was called Umkhonto we Sizwe (The Spear of the Nation) or MK and together Mandela (as Chairman), Walter Sisulu and Joe Slovo formed the high command of MK.
- military novice,
Source evidence · PDF page 11
Methods of Barbarism is a detailed historical documentary on the treatment of civilians by the British forces in South Africa during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). It examines the infamous concentration camps system and the difference in treatment of black and white civilians by the British military authorities.
Strategic Relevance
Understanding the military history of Southern Africa, including colonial wars, liberation struggles, and post-colonial conflicts, is crucial for comprehending current regional security dynamics and the evolution of warfare in diverse contexts. The review highlights how historical narratives shape national identity and strategic thought.