Forthcoming

:: Colonialism and Economic Change in Swaziland 1940-60
H. Simelane

Swaziland, like most British possessions, experienced fundamental economic changes during the colonial period. Pre-colonial economic structures were transformed to suit local needs for generating revenue and the demands of post-war British imperialism. Land and labour relations were transformed and new economic enterprises were introduced.

Economic changes in Swaziland took place partly as a result of changes in colonial policy. The post World War II land policy was different from previous policies of expropriation which negated peasant attempts to improve their economic lot through extensive agricultural production. The argument in the book is that all these changes took place because imperial interests had shifted as a result of the restructuring of international capitalism during the course of the war and after.

Economic change in colonial Swaziland was also a product of large scale capital investment which took place immediately after war. The book demonstrates that a combination of private and state (British) capital dramatically changed the level and form of economic production in Swaziland.

The book also deals with labour mobilisation and labour relations in post-war Swaziland. It shows that the economic changes which took place as from 1940, revised the status of the country as a labour catchment area for South African gold and coal mines. The country developed a strong labour market which offered opposition to recruitment for South African mines. What emerged was an enlarged labour force which was progressively socialised in local economic enterprises. From such socialisation developed a new consciousness which in turn led to confrontation between labour and capital.

:: About the Author

Professor H Simelane has written many books and journal articles on the economic history of Swaziland. He is currently the Director of University of Swaziland Centre for Research and Training.