1824: The year that changed Southern Africa
In this episode of the "History of South Africa"
podcast, Des Latham dives into the year 1824 – and looks at two major events
that year that would profoundly impact the region.
As years go, 1824 was a year for the history books. Not that the others weren’t, but 1824 is one of those seminal 12 months in southern African history.
It was the year that Shaka’s main impi south had a disastrous campaign attempting to subjugate the Mpondo, and despite their training and their military prowess, Shaka’s amabutho were not invincible.
But more importantly, it was the year that English traders set up their base in Port Natal and immediately altered the social, military, and political landscape.
Listen to episode 92 below:
Dive
into the full series below:
More about Des Latham:
Des Latham has a BA Honours in African History from Rhodes University and began his broadcasting career as a Radio 702 News Reporter in 1987. He speaks a number of South African languages and was a reporter during the latter phases of the struggle against apartheid.
Des has worked in various positions in media, including online editor at Business Day/Financial Mail, editor-in-chief at GCIS, Manager of BDFM Business Radio, and editor for Business Day television. He is currently CEO of frayintermedia based in Johannesburg.
He began podcasting in 2017 with the successful Anglo Boer War podcast, and followed this up with The Battle of Stalingrad podcast and Falklands War podcast. Des currently produces three podcasts, including the ‘History of South Africa’, ‘South African Border Wars’, and ‘Plane Crash Diaries’.
He is married to Paula Fray and has three children. Des spends his time traveling, flying aeroplanes, and rehearsing and performing music as a guitarist.
