The author synthesises the findings of extensive research into the history of African societies in South Africa. Professor Maylam is head of the Department of History, Rhodes University.

The twentieth century has been called an 'age of catastrophe', characterized by devastating wars and a general poverty of leadership at government level. This book, written in a more optimistic vein, offers biographical essays on six twentieth century heads of government - three from Latin America, and one each from Africa, Asia and Europe - who were exceptions to the norm. During their terms of office each displayed admirable qualities: moral authority, integrity, an egalitarian spirit, and a firm commitment to democracy, human rights, social justice and international peace. They shunned personality cults, grandiosity and conspicuous consumption. Their governance was shaped by high ideals, in the tradition of democratic socialism or social democracy, but also marked by pragmatism and an awareness that the realization of these ideals was not always practicable. Although some of the six became iconic, venerated figures, none of them are presented here as 'heroes' or 'great leaders'. Each had failings and flaws, and each has been subject to critique. They are rather presented as government heads whose leadership has been worthy of deep respect and admiration. Had other premiers emulated their style of governance, twentieth century history would have taken a very different course.

A unique overview of the whole 350-year history of South Africa's racial order, from the mid-seventeenth century to the apartheid era. Maylam periodizes this racial order, drawing out its main phases and highlighting the significant turning points. He also analyzes the dynamics of South African white racism, exploring the key forces and factors that brought about and perpetuated oppressive, discriminatory policies, practices, structures, laws and attitudes. There is also a strong historiographical dimension to the study. It shows how various writers have, from different perspectives, attempted to explain the South African racial order and draws out the political and ideological agendas that lay beneath these diverse interpretations. Essential reading for all those interested in the past, present and future of South Africa, this book also has implications for the wider study of race, racism and social and political ethnic relations.

In the face of the continuing national tragedy of the inequality, poverty and unemployment which have triggered rising working-class discontent around the country, the ANC announced a 'second phase' of the 'national democratic revolution' to deal with the challenges. Ironically, the ANC post-Mangaung has resolved to preserve the core tenets of the minerals-energy-financial complex that defined racial capitalism - while at the same time ratcheting up the revolutionary rhetoric to keep the working class and marginalised onside. If the 'first phase' was a tragedy of the unmet expectations of the majority, is the 'second phase' likely to be a farce? The chapters in this volume are written by experts in their fields and address issues of politics, power and social class; economy, ecology and labour; public policy and social practice; and South Africa beyond its borders. They examine some of these challenges, and indicate that they are as much about the defective content of policies as their poor implementation. The third volume of the New South African Review continues the series by providing in-depth analyses of the key issues facing the country today.

Cecil Rhodes is the most written about and memorialised figure in southern African history, the subject of well over 25 biographies and numerous articles. Rhodes has featured in novels, plays and films. Rhodes' gravesite in the Matopos hills was for decades a place of pilgrimage, and there are imposing monuments to him, notably in Cape Town, Oxford and Kimberley.

Why such a cult should have developed around Rhodes, who, to all accounts, was far from admirable a person and was open to severe criticism on many fronts, is the subject of this title. Himself no admirer of Rhodes, the author's approach to the subject is ironical and critical as he sets out to address the paradox of why such an unappealing and 'rather mediocre person' should have been so venerated and commemorated. Many topics are explored in this context, including the imprint of Rhodes’ ecological imperialism on the natural environment, the debunking of Rhodes after World War II, the surprising silence from Afrikaners and Africans in critical studies of Rhodes, and the (rather strange) link-up between the Rhodes Trust and the Mandela Foundation.

Although two recent centenaries – the centenary of Rhodes’ death (2002) and the founding of Rhodes University (2004) – have not attracted much attention, the third – the centenary of the Rhodes Scholarships (2003) – was celebrated in different parts of the world; its lustre derives in no small part from the fame of the recipients of Rhodes Scholarships. Rhodes’ memory, meanwhile, has been deliberately, sometimes violently, erased in the country once named after him, where his grave still remains in close proximity with that of the great Ndebele king Mzilikazi. The cult of Rhodes is fascinating reading for all, including the thousands who, in one way or another, are connected with the name of Rhodes. A study of memory and representation, it helps to explain the making of legends and our invention of heroes.