Description
Book SynopsisOvercoming the Oppressors traces southern Africa''s long walk to freedom, the overturning of colonial rule in the northern territories, and the dissolution of backs-to-the-wall white settler suzerainty, first in what became Zimbabwe and then in South Africa. Chapters on the individual countries detail the stages along their sometimes complicated and tortuous struggle to attain the political New Zion. Rotberg explains how and why the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland failed, how and why apartheid eventually collapsed, and exactly how the various components of this heavily white conquered, and later white oppressed, domain transitioned via diverse fits and starts into today''s assemblage of proud, politically charged, and still mostly fragmented nation-states. But what did the new republics make of their hard-won freedoms? Having liberated themselves successfully, several soon dismantled democratic safeguards, established effective single-party states, closed their economies, deprived
Trade ReviewWritten from a rare first-row vantage and offering a blend of scholarly analysis and personal observation, Overcoming the Oppressors is a masterful and unflinching analysis of the difficult political journey of southern African countries up from colonial domination, through independence, to a mixed postcolonial aftermath. The question of how the newly independent societies handled their hard-won freedoms has been posed before, but rarely with the kind of refreshing candor that Robert Rotberg brings to bear. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the fortunes of contemporary southern Africa, and indeed the fate of the entire African region. * Ebenezer Obadare, Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Washington, D.C. *
Overcoming the Oppressors provides a survey of the current political and economic state of southern Africa. The book demonstrates a depth of research by a leading Africanist that is comprehensive yet concise in its sweep. This work is accessible and readable. It is essential reading for anyone interested in Africa. * Richard J. Goldstone, Retired Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa *
Professor Rotberg's expertly researched account of Namibia overcoming oppression is highly readable, given his clarity of analysis combined with his acute insight and observations of many of the key players involved, many of whom have been personally known to him. Written with balanced and judicious detachment, it is a compelling read. * David Smuts, Judge of the Supreme Court of Namibia *
This erudite rendition locates the making of contemporary Namibia against the histories of Southern Africa, with special emphasis on German and South African colonialism. The book will have a wide readership. * André du Pisani, University of Namibia *
Robert Rotberg has been one of the most prolific and worth-reading observers of African freedom struggles and post-colonial development over the last six decades. In this book, he adds an unrivalled, close-to-the-action account of this sweeping process informed by his extensive connections with key political actors involved, as one country after another has moved from colonialism to independence. Packed with personal insights and observation, this wide-ranging survey stresses more than most the crucial importance of the quality of political leadership. Overcoming the Oppressors is a uniquely valuable addition to the literature. * Roger Southall, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa *
Robert Rotberg brings to bear six decades of unbroken engagement with Southern African politics in this highly perceptive study of the region's fraught politics of leadership. The book's prescriptions merit reading and acting on. * Miles Tendi, University of Oxford *
The central role that good governance, effective and capable governance plays in the economic and social development of a country is widely recognized. The central theme of the book examines what can be done to strengthen good governance in Southern Africa. This is done in the context of the complex history of Southern Africa and the struggles of its people to attain independence and end colonial rule and white domination. The book further examines the evolution of post-independence dictatorships that emerged in some of countries in the post- independence era. It highlights the role of good leadership in the development of good governance in a national state. The book delivers a clear analysis of a complex political history of the Southern African States. It is a brilliant and compelling read. * William Nelson Cromwell, Cornell Law School *
Overcoming the Oppressors advices southern Africans to adopt more neo-liberal economic policies. * Innocent Dande, International Studies Group, University of the Free States *
Rotberg's brilliant analysis, which also trends toward personal memoir, focuses on the liberation of Southern Africa from colonialism and apartheid, and the resulting impact of the political elites who ruled these states in the postcolonial era...Highly recommended. General readers through faculty; professionals. * Choice *
Table of ContentsPreface I "Partnership" and Multiracialism in the New Africa II Consummating Zambian Nationhood III King Cobra and Other Menaces: Zambia Banishes Autocracy IV The Hijacking of Malawi: Banda's One-Man Rule V Promises, Promises: Modern Malawi Seeks Prosperity and Plenty Through Pot VI Mandela's Triumph: The Liberating of South Africa VII Surviving State Capture: the Path Forward VIII Botswana: Africa's Democratic Exception IX The Promise of Democracy Lost: Zimbabwe X Namibia: Throwing Off the Long Yoke XI Leaders of Integrity Conquer Africa's Consummate Challenges Acknowledgements Notes For Further Reading Maps Prepared by Dylan A. Gattey Southern Africa Zambia and Malawi South Africa Zimbabwe Botswana and Namibia Portraits By Joanna G. Cloutier Kenneth Kaunda Kamuzu Banda Nelson Mandela Desmond Tutu Thabo Mbeki Seretse Khama Robert Mugabe Helen Suzman Nthato Motlana Jacob Zuma Nthato Motlana Jacob Zuma
