The Changing Shape and Scope of Southern African Historical Studies

ABSTRACT

This article considers the trajectory of the discipline of history from the inception of the Southern African Historical Society in 1965 up to the present time. The Society has arranged regular biennial conferences at which the Society's President has generally addressed the gathering on an aspect of history that not only reflects the position of the President, but also summarises the state of the profession as a whole. Using these addresses as benchmarks, and combining them with statements from the Presidents of the American Historical Association at similar gatherings, a number of articles in the South African Historical Journal and significant recent publications, the author points to new directions in historical studies in southern Africa, identifies fresh fields of endeavour and argues for greater interdisciplinary tolerance and collaboration.

Keywords:

• Southern African Historical Society
• historiography
• interdisciplinary research