This account of the development of modern South African society seeks to establish the geographical and historical context in which change has taken place. The author describes important historical continuities in South Africa which have shaped present society, including social groupings and their stratification, policital institutions, the patterns of human geography, economic structure, and external links and influences.

Alan Lester is Lecturer in Geography at St. Mary's University College, University of Surrey. He has researched and taught extensively in South Africa.