Focussing on South Africa's drive for modernisation and industrialisation throughout the twentieth century, Bill Freund shows that the country can actually be viewed as a 'developmental state'. This unique history further marries the economic indicators with social history in order to bring the economic data alive with people and places.
This established text provides a refreshing account of the complex events in sub-Saharan Africa since 1800. Fully revised and updated throughout, this third edition incorporates the latest scholarship, and brings the book up to the present day. Aligning itself with the new critical tendencies emerging in Africa, The Making of Contemporary Africa examines indigenous social development prior to the Industrial Revolution and the impact of colonialism from the perspective of class formation and capital penetration. Decolonisation and post-colonial development are analysed on the basis of economic changes rather than the usual political lens. Additional chapters new to this edition cover Africa in the twenty-first century and look at social and cultural history since independence.
Focusing on the evolution of urban life across the African continent, this book explores the emergence of cities from ancient times to the present. It examines the significance of urban areas as integral to Africa's development, addressing their roles through indigenous, colonial, and post-colonial lenses. The text delves into contemporary challenges faced by African cities and emphasizes their importance for the future of society and culture. Aimed at a diverse audience, it appeals to students of history, geography, planning, sociology, and development studies.