University of Botswana History Department

Prof. Christian John Makgala
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Prof. Christian John Makgala

I was born in the small-town of Morwa in the Kgatleng District, Botswana. I studied for my BA and Post-Graduate Diploma in Education at the University of Botswana from 1993 to 1998. In 1998 I won a Cambridge Commonwealth Trust scholarship which enabled me to read for an MPhil and PhD in History at Selwyn College of Cambridge University. I started lecturing in African History and African Diaspora at the University of Botswana in January 2002. I am a keen follower of Arsenal in the English Premier League and New England Patriots of America's NFL.

PUBLICATIONS

Books

  1. The Dixie Medicine Man. Bloomington: Indiana, iUniverse, 2010. [A historical novel].
  2. (with Zibani Maundeni), History of Botswana Public Employees Union, 1885-2009. Cape Town: Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society, 2010.
  3. History of the Bakgatla-baga-Kgefela in Botswana and South Africa. Pretoria: Crink, 2009.
  4. (Editor), History of the Botswana Manual Workers Union. Gaborone: Bay Publishing, 2007.
  5. Elite Conflict in Botswana: A History. Pretoria: Africa Institute of South Africa, 2006.

Book Chapters

  1. 'A Hometown Decision?: The Location of Botswana's Second University', in Henning Melber (ed.), Governance and State Delivery in Southern Africa: Examples from Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Uppsala. Nordic Africa Institute, 2007, pp.21-42.
  2. 'Role and Development of Labour Movement to 1994', in Christian John Makgala (editor), History of the Botswana Manual Workers Union. Gaborone: Bay Publishing, 2007, pp.21-38.
  3. 'Formation, Development and Structure of the Botswana Manual Workers Union', in Christian John Makgala (editor), History of the Botswana Manual Workers Union. Gaborone: Bay Publishing, 2007, pp.39-71.
  4. 'The Emergence of Political Parties in the 1960s', in P.T. Mgadla and B.T. Mokopakgosi (eds.). Forty Years on Essays in Celebration of Botswana's forty years independence,1966-2006, Gaborone: Department of Information and Broadcasting, 2008, pp.113-116.
  5. 'The Introduction of Taxation in Colonial Botswana', in P.T. Mgadla and B.T. Mokopakgosi (eds.). Forty Years on Essays in Celebration of Botswana's forty years independence,1966-2006, Gaborone: Department of Information and Broadcasting, 2008, pp.73-76.
  6. With Mgadla, P.T. 'The Mfecane or Difaqane, in P.T. Mgadla and B.T. Mokopakgosi (eds.). Forty Years on Essays in Celebration of Botswana's forty years independence,1966-2006, Gaborone: Department of Information and Broadcasting, 2008, pp.37-40.
  7. 'Khama III, c.1836-1923', New Encyclopaedia of Africa. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons Reference Books, 3 (2008), pp.112-113.
  8. 'Seretse Khama, 1921-1980', New Encyclopaedia of Africa. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons Reference Books, 3 (2008), pp.110-111.
  9. 'Botswana', The Oxford: Encyclopaedia of the Modern World. New York: Oxford University Press. 1 (2008), pp.444-445.

Journal Articles

  1. 'The Limitations of British Territorial Control in Bechuanaland Protectorate, 1918-1953', Journal of Southern African Studies, 36 (1), 2010, pp.58-70.
  2. With Fisher, LM, 'The Impact of the Zimbabwean Liberation Struggle on Botswana: The Case of Lesoma Ambush, 1978', New Contree, 57, 2009, pp.158-178.
  3. 'History and Perceptions of Regionalism in Botswana, 1891-2005', Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 27 (2), 2009, pp.225-242.
  4. With Botlhale, E, 'The Challenges of Financial Responsibility in the Tribal Administration of Bechuanaland Protectorate, 1919-1966', African Historical Review, 40 (2), 2008, pp.28-61.
  5. With Thebe, P, 'Dishonouring the Ancestors and Marginalising Heritage: The Case of the National War Memorial in Gaborone, 1946-2008', BOLESWA Journal of Theology, Religion and Philosophy, 2 (2), 2008, pp.59-81.
  6. Historical and Politico-Cultural Significance of Botswana's Pula Currency'. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, 22, 2008, pp.41-55.
  7. 'Public Debates on Foreign Exchange Policy in Botswana, 1976-2005', Botswana Journal of Business, 2 (2), 2007, pp.57-69.
  8. 'Bakgalagadi Opposition to Subservience and Exploitation in Tsetseng, 1918-1953', Botswana Notes & Records, 40, 2007, pp.60-73.
  9. 'Nation-Building and a 'Perfect' Country Name: An Appraisal of Letters to the Newspapers in Botswana, 1981 and 2002', Botswana Notes & Records, 40, 2007, pp.88-99.
  10. 'Bid to Settle Jewish Refugees from Nazi-Germany in Botswana, 1938-1939', Botswana Notes & Records, 38, 2006, pp.20-32. 'BNF and BDP's "Fight" for Attention of the ANC: A Historical Perspective, 1912 to 2004', Botswana Notes and Records, 38, 2006, pp.115-133.
  11. 'Botswana's NAMPAADD in Historical Perspective, 1939-2005', Pula: Botswana Journal of African studies, 19 (2), 2005, pp.118-128.
  12. 'Ngwato Attitudes Towards Zimbabwean Immigrants in Bechuanaland Protectorate in the 1950s', Kleio: A Journal of Historical Studies from Africa, 38 (2), 2006, pp.191-206.
  13. 'The Relationship between Kenneth Koma and the BDP, 1965-2003', African Affairs, 104, 2005, pp.303-323.
  14. 'The Development and Role of Tribal Police in Botswana, 1926-1973', Crime & Justice International, 20, 79, 2004.pp.11-19.
  15. 'A Survey of Race Relations in Botswana, 1800-1966', Botswana Notes and Records, 36, 2004, pp.9-24.
  16. 'Taxation in the Tribal Areas of Colonial Botswana, 1899-1957', Journal of African History, 45, 2004, pp.279-303.
  17. 'So Far So Good?; An Appraisal of Dr Ng'ombe's 1998 Prophecy on the Fate of the Botswana National Front', Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, 17, 2003, pp.51-66.
  18. 'The Dispensation of Justice in the Tribal Areas of Colonial Botswana', Crime & Justice International, 19 (17), 2003, pp.5-10.
  19. 'Brief Notes on History of Serowe', Botswana Notes & Records, 34, 2002, pp.160-163.
  20. 'Tshekedi Khama, Patrick Duncan and the ANC Leadership Vacuum in South Africa, 1949-1955', Botswana Notes & Records, 33, 2001, pp.47-53.

Book Reviews

  1. John Rutherford, Little Giant of Bechuanaland: A Biography of William Charles Willoughby, Missionary and Scholar. Gaborone: Botswana Society, Mmegi Publishing House and Botswana National Archives and Records Services, 2009. Botswana Notes and Records. Vol. 42. Forthcoming.
  2. Gerald Gibbs, The Pimp and the Preacher. Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse, 2006, ISBN-13:978-0-595-35042-1, paperback, v + 280 pages. BOLESWA Journal of Theology, Religion and Philosophy. Forthcoming.
  3. Kweku Ampiah and Sanusha Naidu (editors), Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? Africa and China. Scottsville: University of Kwazulu-Natal Press, 2008. African Historical Review, forthcoming
  4. Michela Wrong, Its Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistleblower. London: Fourth Estate, 2009, xi-354 pages. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, Forthcoming.
  5. Leo Zeilig, Patrice Lumumba: Africa's Lost Leader. London: Haus Publishing Limited, 2008, 182 pages, African Historical Review, 41 (2) forthcoming.
  6. David Magang, The Magic of Perseverance: The Autobiography of David Magang. Cape Town: Centre for Advanced Studies of African Societies, 2008, 686 pages. African Historical Review, 41 (1), pp.154-157.
  7. Felicity Wood in collaboration with Michael Lewis, The Extraordinary Khotso: The Millionaire Medicine Man from Lusikisiki. Kempton Park, Jacana, 2007, 268 pages. African Historical Review, 41 (1), pp.158-160.
  8. 2007. Robyn Cox, Pula, Pula, Pula: Two Years in Search of Money, Rain and Blessings for Botswana. London: Wild Dog Publishing, 2008; 295 pages, paper back. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, 21, pp.325-326.
  9. Fedelis Nkomazana & Laurel Lanner, (eds.), Aspects of the History of the Church in Botswana. Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications, 2007. Botswana Notes and Records, 43. Forthcoming.
  10. David Harvey, Do As Botswana Does. Gaborone: Pula Press, 2007, 303 pages. Botswana Notes and Records, 40, pp.183-184.
  11. J. Lee Thompson, Forgotten Patriot: A Life of Alfred, Viscount Milner of St James and Cape Town, 1854-1925. Madison: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 455 pages. Hardcover. Journal of British Studies, 46, No.4 (2007), pp.974-5.
  12. 2004. P.T. Mgadla, History of Education in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. American University Press, 2003, 128 pages. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies. 18, 2, pp.137-40.
  13. 2004. Zibani Maundeni, Civil Society, Politics and the State in Botswana. Gaborone: Medi Publishing, 2004, paperback, 104 pages. Botswana Notes and Records, 36, pp.173-174.
  14. 2004. Michael Dingake, The Politics of Confusion, BNF Saga, 1984-1998. Gaborone: Bay Publishing, 2004, 199 pages. Botswana Notes and Records, 36, pp.185-186.
  15. 2003. Jonathan Crush and David A. McDonald (eds.), Transnationalism and New African Immigration to South Africa. SAMP and CAAS, Ontario, 2002, 188 pages. European Journal of Population, 19, 4, pp.439-40.

Email: makgalac@mopipi... [click here for full email address]

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Copyright © 2004 John Makgala
Last updated 26 October 2010. [PAGE ENDS]