Abstract
The Encyclopedia of South Africa is designed as a compendium of the history of the new South Africa. And make no mistake, the focus is firmly on the “new”. The 372-page volume evinces a distinct bias toward social, cultural, and black history, and is very sparse on more traditional topics and figures. There are entries for the trumpeter Hugh Masekela, Coloured author Alex La Guma, nineteenth-century Ndebele king Mzilikazi, and even pop songstress Brenda Fassie. But there are no entries for either John Vorster or PW Botha. Even the “Pretoria” entry is listed under “Tshwane”.
For many, this inclusiveness will be most welcome. The volume essentially pushes the definitions of what constitutes South African history in three directions: First, the conception is more racially inclusive than many other written histories of South Africa. Coloured and Black history is brought firmly back into the picture. Second, the editors look below leaders and politics and toward society as a whole. Musicians and writers feature particularly prominently. Finally, the encyclopaedia focuses on processes rather than events or individuals. One of its real strengths is its ability to cover long periods of history, such as “British Imperialism and Settler Colonialism” or “Democratic Politics Since 1994”, on their own merits, rather than dividing the analysis among various entries for the individuals involved. This saves space, if nothing else. In many ways, therefore, this encyclopaedia cannot be said to be a compilation or reorganisation of a commonly agreed-upon South African history; rather, it comprises part of a conscious redefinition of South African history itself.
This conscious re-forging of the past will inevitably prove contentious. Lay readers will get a sense of South African history that is deeply politicised and infused with the values and ideas of post-Apartheid, African National Congress-ruled South Africa. While this may or may not be to the readers' tastes, what is clear is that within their defined concept of South African history, Johnson and Jacobs have mobilised some outstanding historians to supply the entries. The quality throughout is consistently high; the list of contributors reads like a Who's Who of South African history. The result is a book that is likely to be found on many a bookshelf or coffee table in houses in Tshwane for years to come.