APC2601
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: March 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, ALL 3 ESSAYS TOPICS PROVIDED
ESSAY 1: THE ENDURING LEGACY OF COLONIALITY: THE BERLIN
CONFERENCE, THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA, AND THE POLITICAL-
ECONOMIC TRAJECTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
The colonization of Africa stands as one of the most defining episodes in modern
history, shaping the continent’s political, social, and economic realities for
generations. This essay examines how and why the 1884–85 Berlin Conference,
together with the subsequent scramble and conquest of Africa, resulted in the
dismemberment and fragmentation of the continent. It also explores the specific
case of South Africa to illustrate the consequential political-economic
development trajectory caused by coloniality. The Berlin Conference—where
European powers negotiated and formalised their territorial claims—did not
merely represent a diplomatic gathering but rather a mechanism that
institutionalised a new order. This order disregarded existing ethnic, cultural, and
political boundaries, setting the stage for future conflicts and enduring disparities
(Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2013).
In this essay, key concepts such as ―coloniality,‖ ―dismemberment,‖ and
―fragmentation‖ are critically analysed. Coloniality refers to the enduring
structures of power and knowledge that originated in the colonial period but
persist in influencing postcolonial societies (Mamdani, 2012). Dismemberment
and fragmentation describe the deliberate breaking apart of African societies into
artificially defined territories that served colonial administrative and economic
interests. This fragmentation disrupted indigenous political structures and
undermined local economies, laying a foundation for conflict and economic
underdevelopment.
The following sections provide a comprehensive exploration of the colonial
processes that led to Africa’s dismemberment and, by focusing on South Africa,
demonstrate how these legacies continue to shape political and economic
trajectories. Through a detailed analysis of both the continental experience and
the South African case study, the essay argues that the historical imprint of
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
, coloniality has produced lasting inequalities and hindered the realization of
political stability and economic prosperity across Africa (Herbst, 2014).
2. CONSEQUENTIAL POLITICAL-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORY
CAUSED BY COLONIALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
2.1. Historical Context of the Berlin Conference and the Scramble for Africa
2.1.1. The Berlin Conference and Its Objectives
The Berlin Conference of 1884–85 was convened to regulate European
colonisation and trade in Africa during the period of New Imperialism. European
powers, operating with little regard for the indigenous populations, sought to
establish their spheres of influence based solely on economic and strategic
interests. The conference formalised the ―Scramble for Africa,‖ which saw
European nations partition the continent without any input from African leaders.
As noted by McGregor (2016), this gathering was less about diplomacy and more
about dividing resources and territory amongst European competitors.
The principles established at the conference, including effective occupation as a
criterion for territorial claims, led to a rush among European powers to stake
claims over African lands. This resulted in arbitrary borders that often split ethnic
groups and traditional kingdoms, a factor that sowed the seeds for future
conflicts. The imposed borders ignored the existing social and political
landscapes of Africa, reducing complex societies into mere administrative units
for the benefit of the colonisers (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2013).
2.1.2. The Scramble for Africa: Conquest and Resistance
Following the Berlin Conference, the race to control Africa intensified, with
European nations deploying military force and economic coercion to secure
territories. The scramble for Africa was characterised by rapid military conquest,
imposition of new administrative systems, and exploitation of natural resources.
Indigenous resistance was often met with brutal repression, further contributing to
the dismemberment of traditional societies (Mamdani, 2012).
This process of conquest not only fragmented the continent but also resulted in
the systematic extraction of resources. The newly established colonial boundaries
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: March 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, ALL 3 ESSAYS TOPICS PROVIDED
ESSAY 1: THE ENDURING LEGACY OF COLONIALITY: THE BERLIN
CONFERENCE, THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA, AND THE POLITICAL-
ECONOMIC TRAJECTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
The colonization of Africa stands as one of the most defining episodes in modern
history, shaping the continent’s political, social, and economic realities for
generations. This essay examines how and why the 1884–85 Berlin Conference,
together with the subsequent scramble and conquest of Africa, resulted in the
dismemberment and fragmentation of the continent. It also explores the specific
case of South Africa to illustrate the consequential political-economic
development trajectory caused by coloniality. The Berlin Conference—where
European powers negotiated and formalised their territorial claims—did not
merely represent a diplomatic gathering but rather a mechanism that
institutionalised a new order. This order disregarded existing ethnic, cultural, and
political boundaries, setting the stage for future conflicts and enduring disparities
(Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2013).
In this essay, key concepts such as ―coloniality,‖ ―dismemberment,‖ and
―fragmentation‖ are critically analysed. Coloniality refers to the enduring
structures of power and knowledge that originated in the colonial period but
persist in influencing postcolonial societies (Mamdani, 2012). Dismemberment
and fragmentation describe the deliberate breaking apart of African societies into
artificially defined territories that served colonial administrative and economic
interests. This fragmentation disrupted indigenous political structures and
undermined local economies, laying a foundation for conflict and economic
underdevelopment.
The following sections provide a comprehensive exploration of the colonial
processes that led to Africa’s dismemberment and, by focusing on South Africa,
demonstrate how these legacies continue to shape political and economic
trajectories. Through a detailed analysis of both the continental experience and
the South African case study, the essay argues that the historical imprint of
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
, coloniality has produced lasting inequalities and hindered the realization of
political stability and economic prosperity across Africa (Herbst, 2014).
2. CONSEQUENTIAL POLITICAL-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORY
CAUSED BY COLONIALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
2.1. Historical Context of the Berlin Conference and the Scramble for Africa
2.1.1. The Berlin Conference and Its Objectives
The Berlin Conference of 1884–85 was convened to regulate European
colonisation and trade in Africa during the period of New Imperialism. European
powers, operating with little regard for the indigenous populations, sought to
establish their spheres of influence based solely on economic and strategic
interests. The conference formalised the ―Scramble for Africa,‖ which saw
European nations partition the continent without any input from African leaders.
As noted by McGregor (2016), this gathering was less about diplomacy and more
about dividing resources and territory amongst European competitors.
The principles established at the conference, including effective occupation as a
criterion for territorial claims, led to a rush among European powers to stake
claims over African lands. This resulted in arbitrary borders that often split ethnic
groups and traditional kingdoms, a factor that sowed the seeds for future
conflicts. The imposed borders ignored the existing social and political
landscapes of Africa, reducing complex societies into mere administrative units
for the benefit of the colonisers (Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2013).
2.1.2. The Scramble for Africa: Conquest and Resistance
Following the Berlin Conference, the race to control Africa intensified, with
European nations deploying military force and economic coercion to secure
territories. The scramble for Africa was characterised by rapid military conquest,
imposition of new administrative systems, and exploitation of natural resources.
Indigenous resistance was often met with brutal repression, further contributing to
the dismemberment of traditional societies (Mamdani, 2012).
This process of conquest not only fragmented the continent but also resulted in
the systematic extraction of resources. The newly established colonial boundaries
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
