Podcast
History of South Africa podcast
Episodes — page 8
- Episode 158 - Venda kingdoms and the Lemba Yemeni enigma
This is episode 158 and we’re taking an epic regional tour into the along the Limpopo River to meet with the Venda and other groups of folks who hail from the province we now call…
- Episode 157 - Dick King and Ndongeni Ka Xoki’s epic ride leads another d’Urban to Durban
This is episode 157 - where Dick King and Ndongeni ka Xoki ride to out of Durban carrying a dispatch from besieged British commander, Captain Smith, surrounded by Boers, in real da…
- Episode 156 - The Battle of Congella leaves 34 British soldiers dead on a moonlit Durban beach
When we left off last episode, Captain Thomas Smith and two companies of the 27th Inniskilling Regiment, an 18 pounder that had just arrived by ship, two six pounder field guns, a…
- Episode 155 - The Eastern Cape economy surges and the Americans visit Port Natal as tension rises
Welcome back to the History of South Africa podcast with me your host, Des Latham - it’s episode 155 and the Cape economy is growing in leaps and bounds. The years between 1840…
- Episode 154 - The Swellekamp grifter and Captain Smith marches from the Umgazi River to Port Natal
This is episode 154 and the amaBhaca people under chief Ncapayi have just raided the Boers along the upper Bushman’s river and near their new town of Weenen. Joining the Bhaca w…
- Episode 153 - Dr Livingstone disembarks and Pretorius and Potgieter bury the hatchet
1840 was a leap year, and in November David Livingstone had left Britain for Africa. His story of exploration and commitment is extraordinary. While he would go on to become better…
- Episode 152 - The amaTola San raiders of the Drakensberg: Horses, plant meds and the Chacma Baboon
This is episode 152, we’re going to dig into a story that is not often told — the amaTola San raiders of the Drakensberg. They emerged by the end of the third decade of the 19th Ce…
- Episode 151 - The polymath Sir John Herschel, his free school system and other 1840 interconnections
Episode 151 and we’re into the 1840s - and its time to analyse some issues. One is education, the other, roads. Given our crisis in education these days, its perhaps another of…
- 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…
