Southern Worlds: South Africa and Australia Compared

Description

This collection of essays by distinguished South African and Australian authors explores the links and shared past of the two countries. These are many and varied. South Africa and Australia were once part of the super continent Gondwanaland, more than five hundred million years ago. The First Fleet that founded Australia loaded supplies at Cape Town on its way to New South Wales. Australian troops fought in the South African ‘Boer’ War and the nations were allies in two world wars. There have been sporting rivalries, trade co-operation and competition, tensions over the apartheid regime and the recent migration of South Africans to Australia. Low social status and economic disadvantage accorded to ethnic or racial groups have been a feature of both societies. As well as discussing many key comparative contemporary issues this book’s crucial contribution is to combine coverage of a shared past with contemporary issues and challenges, especially those of reconciliation and the quest for social justice.

The Nineteenth Century Imperial Past

Australian Labor and South Africa’s Making

Race, Gender and Ethnicity in Australia

African and Afrikaner Nationalism

South African Migration to Australia

Australians and South Africans in London

Australia’s History Wars

Labour Costs and Economic Development in Australia and South Africa

Australian Reconciliation

South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Cricketing rivalries