Podcast
History of South Africa podcast
Episodes — page 8
- Episode 150 - Dingana assassinated near Ghost Mountain and the cultural appropriation tale of the toyi-toyi
For those who’ve lasted the journey thus far, thank you for listening. The number of downloads is approaching 1 and a quarter million, which by itself is quite a shock. Adding t…
- Episode 149 - Mpande defeats Dingana at the Battle of amaQongqo and Bhibhi the beautiful is killed
This is episode 149 and Mpande kaSenzangakhona and the Boers are going after Dingana. We’re entering the 1840s where momentous events would continue to shape South Africa’s fut…
- Episode 148 - The AmaZulu routed by amaSwazi Widow Bird warriors and Mpande’s exodus
This is episode 148 and there’re negotiations afoot between Dingana and the Voortrekkers, at the behest of Captain Henry Jervis who led the small detachment of British troops based…
- Episode 147 - Coloured enters the lexicon in 1838 as Captain Jervis reports his coal find
Cape Town was burgeoning — and trade was starting to pick up. There was also a paradox, the real effects of the emancipation of slaves back in 1834 was only really felt in 1838 bec…
- Episode 146 - The Battle of oPathe where Bhongoza and Hans Dons earn oral history stripes
Andries Pretorius had won a major encounter with the Zulu army, which was now in full retreat and the way to emGungungundlovu was wide open. A day after the Battle on the 17th Dece…
- Episode 145 - The seminal Battle on the Ncome known as Blood River
This is episode 145 - we’re joining the AmaZulu and the Voortrekkers at the apocalyptic clash on the River Ncome, which was soon renamed Blood River. This battle has seared its…
- Episode 144 - Mpande evades Dingane’s assassination plot, the British seize Durban and Pretorius plans a covenant
This is episode 144 and a momentous event is about to take place. One that will shape Boer Zulu relations for centuries to come. The Battle of Blood River - or Ncome River - is…
- Episode 143 - The World in 1838, New Veld Tech and Plough Enhancements
This is episode 143 and we’re back in Cape Town, it’s late 1838, our new British Governor Sir George Napier is in the hot seat and he’s already regretting taking up the position.…
- Episode 142 - Moshoeshoe the beard-shearer and the complex theological soup of the BaSotho
This is episode 142. It would be remiss of me not to say Congratulations Bokke on a gritty win over the All Blacks to become world champions for a record fourth time. With that…
- Episode 141 — An ode to the Orange River and San spoor blows in the wind
Welcome back to the History of South Africa podcast with me your host, Des Latham. This is episode 141. First a little admin - a big thank you to for tuning in. This series has…
- Episode 140 - High Noon at Gatslaager & Mzilikazi barges into the Batswana
Ten thousand Zulu warriors had appeared at GatsLaager, the headquarters of the Voortrekkers under the brow of the Drakensberg, sent by Dingana and led by Ndlela kaSompiti. In S…
- Episode 139 - The Battle of Thukela/Dlokweni, Durban is sacked and the Republiek Natalia proclaimed
This is episode 139 and the Grand Army of Natal has marched over the Thukela River to attack the imizi of Ndondakusuka. And if you’re following, you’ll know that a large Zulu a…
- Episode 138 - The yin and yang of Stretch and Bowker and the Grand Army of Natal marches again
The world was undergoing some other major changes — including the climate. Explosive volcanic eruptions late in the 1790s had led to vast quantities of dust being thrown in the str…
- Episode 137 - The Vlugkommando of April 1838 and a hard rain continues to fall
It’s been a harrowing few months in southern Africa back in 1838. All manner of change has rolled in across the veld, there are worlds colliding, roiling, like thunderclouds, seeth…
- Episode 136 - The place of weeping earns its name and the“Grand Army of Natal” marches off
This is episode 136 — the Zulu army has fallen on the Voortrekkers along the Bloukrans and Bushman’s rivers, close to where Escourt and Ladysmith are to be found today, but right n…
- Episode 135 - The Zulu army overruns the Voortrekkers along the Bloukrans and Bushman’s River
As you heard, Piet Retief and 100 Boers and Khoesan agterryes had been killed by Dingana on the 6th February 1838. Missionary Owen watched the killings through his telescope un…
- Episode 134 - Lightning kills 12 Boer horses then the wizards die
This is episode 134 - and its going to be a massacre. It is also crucial as you’ve heard that we dig deep into the events because today there’s a huge debate about what I’m goi…
- Episode 133 - Umkhandlu long thumb nails and tales of ill-gotten grain
It’s a hot day in northern Zululand, in the Mfolozi River valley, where Dingane’s capital emGungungudlovu was situated. When Piet Retief first met the Zulu king, he failed the…
- Episode 132 - Piet Retief rides into Natal and land is on the agenda
Just a quick thank you to AJL, as well as Jacque and Nkosinathi for your kind comments and emails - this series is nothing without my wonderful audience. Gangans — which is Kho…
- Episode 131 - Sharpened horns at the battle of eGabeni and the story of the Liebenberg girls
Mzilikazi Khumalo was trying to piece together his shattered amaNdebele after the attack on Mosega in early 1837 by the Boers and their allies the Griqua and Rolong. Then in mi…
