The British, The Boers, and the Making of South Africa

Martin Meredith, journalist, biographer, and historian

In his new book, Diamonds, Gold, and War, Martin Meredith recounts the turbulent years leading up to the founding of the modern state of South Africa in 1910. Southern Africa was once regarded as a worthless jumble of British colonies and Boer republics, and African chiefdoms, a troublesome region of little interest to the outside world. With discovery of the world’s richest deposits of diamonds and gold, what followed was a
costly war between the British and the Boers for control of the land and its natural resources. Meredith will discuss the history of this war and its consequences, for the
native peoples of the region, for the rise of Afrikaner nationalism, and its effects for much of the 20th century in South Africa.

Check-in: 5:30 PM, Program: 6:00 PM

Council Members: Free, Nonmembers: $15, Students: $5