MacKinnon, Aran S. The Making of South Africa: Culture and Politics
(Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004). 312 pp, $38.60.
This relatively brief book is meant as an
introductory study of South Africa. The subtitle suggests, incorrectly,
that the focus is purely on culture and politics; rather, a main topic is
also economics. The author is an associate professor at the University of
West Georgia in the USA. He received his MA in Durban, SA, and earned his
doctorate at the University of London. His book has ten chapters; each chapter
ends with "Questions to Consider" and suggestions for "Further Readings."
The work also contains ten maps, a glossary, and a list of related Web Sites.
Overall there are only about 280 pages of text. Given such a broad subject
in such a brief book, the author must short-change certain topics. MacKinnon
thus chooses to give anything before the 19th century very light
coverage: only two of the chapters (35 pages total) deal with history before
The strength of this book lies in its strong
description of both Europeans and native Africans and their respective 19th
century cultural, political, and economic movements. This work does an excellent
job of looking at the various African groups in South Africa and discussing
their differences. It will certainly show those unfamiliar with African
society that black Africans are not some monolithic group with identical
beliefs and customs. MacKinnon shows not only how in the past Africans had
lived but also how and why they fought among themselves or allied against
a common enemy. Given that the author's previous studies have centered on
the Zulu, it is not a surprise that the group plays a major role in this
book. However, it also includes some fine details on the Griqua and Ndebele,
and some fascinating and telling stories on the Xhosa and Khoe and their
Teachers and students will enjoy the background
given on the historical importance of the "still-simmering debate about
the complications of the concepts of the Mfecane" (73). Mackinnon's
work concerning the Europeans is also very good. He gives solid detail on
the Afrikaners and their many splinter groups. Moreover, his examination
of the role of the British is excellent. Narrating the evolution of British
imperial thought, the author recounts the government's ideals of liberal
humanism and the resulting reforms for Africans, such as ending the slave
trade, as opposed to those who were against these reforms for business or
economic efficiency. The author's description of the positions on both sides
of this issue is well done. Most readers will also be curious about the
development, the policies, and the ending of apartheid. Here again, MacKinnon
gives a strong, fascinating, and historically satisfying account of this
era in South African history.
The Making of South Africa does have
some shortcomings. In a work covering so much history in so few pages there
are bound to be neglected areas. The Huguenots rate just one sentence, when
their economic impact deserves more. Indians, though their numbers are small,
have played important roles in South African history; they too deserve a
more in-depth and broader review. Missionaries and their work receive too
much attention: is it necessary, for example, to tell us who the founder
of the Methodists was when we are not told the name of the war in which
Britain takes South Africa from the Netherlands?
In addition, The Making of South Africa
seems to have been rushed through the editing process. In the main text
only one of the glossary terms appears in bold. Moreover, the definition
given this term during the reading differs and is far more difficult than
the one in the glossary. There are clearly some typographical errors as
well, as Mackinnon has Gandhi living in South Africa from 1893-1814.
The book could use more maps, especially in the discussion of military actions
such as the Zulu conquests. The index is also very weak, as many of the
terms in the text are not listed there. Two cases in point are AIDS and
Zimbabwe, both of which appear on many pages yet are not found in the index.
The adjectives describing Africans and their actions are much more positive
than those for the Europeans: even African massacres or what one would commonly
call atrocities are rationalized.
This text would be excellent for an introductory
class in the history of South Africa at the upper high school or university
level. For those teaching world history classes, many sections of this work
can help demonstrate the transfer of cultural and economic products between
different groups of people. In addition, its focus on apartheid can be used
to show the power of individuals in society. Overall this book is interesting
and informative, and captures the imagination.
Michael J Harvey
Shanghai American School