Die Leuen van Brittanje by Prof H van der Wateren 2000 EFJS Drukkers is a forthright Afrikaans historical and political commentary that examines Britain’s role in Southern African affairs through a critical and revisionist lens. Published in 2000 by EFJS Drukkers, this volume reflects the author’s perspective on Anglo-Boer relations, imperial policy, and the broader historical narratives surrounding British involvement in South Africa. Written in Afrikaans and aimed at a readership engaged with Afrikaner historiography, Die Leuen van Brittanje situates itself within ongoing debates about colonial legacy, historical memory, and national identity.
In Die Leuen van Brittanje, Prof H van der Wateren revisits key episodes of conflict and diplomacy between Britain and the Boer republics, with particular attention to the South African War (1899–1902) and the political developments that preceded and followed it. The text challenges mainstream interpretations, arguing that prevailing historical accounts have obscured or misrepresented aspects of British policy and conduct. Through analysis of historical events, public rhetoric, and documentary interpretation, the author seeks to reassess accepted versions of imperial history and to foreground perspectives that he contends have been marginalised.
The book is written in a direct, polemical style characteristic of revisionist historical writing. Rather than functioning as a detached academic study, Die Leuen van Brittanje engages readers in a broader conversation about truth, propaganda, and the shaping of collective memory. It reflects the continuing resonance of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century conflicts within contemporary South African discourse at the turn of the millennium.
For collectors of Africana, South African political commentary, and works exploring alternative historical interpretations, Die Leuen van Brittanje by Prof H van der Wateren 2000 EFJS Drukkers represents a distinctive contribution to post-apartheid-era debates about empire, identity, and historiography.
