University of Botswana History Department

Prof. Christian John Makgala
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Prof. Makgala at Tlokweng kgotla

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. Makgala, C.J. and Malila, IK, 2014. The 2011 BOFEPUSU Strike: A Story of the Fight for Restoration of Workers Purchasing Power. Cape Town: Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society. 250 pages. ISBN: 978-1-920287-63-4.
  2. Makgala, C.J and Maundeni, Z, 2010. History of Botswana Public Employees Union, 1885-2009. Cape Town: Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society. 258 pages. ISBN: 978-1-9202-870-54.
  3. Makgala, C.J, 2009. History of the Bakgatla-baga-Kgefela in Botswana and South Africa. Pretoria: Crink. ISBN: 978-0-620-41759-4.
  4. Makgala, C.J, (ed) 2007. History of the Botswana Manual Workers Union. Gaborone: Bay Publishing. ISBN: 978-99912-598-9-5.
  5. Makgala, C.J, 2006. Elite Conflict in Botswana: A History. Pretoria: Africa Institute of South Africa. ISBN: 0798301929.

NOVELS

  1. Makgala, C.J, 2014. The Paroled Pastor: A Sequel to the Dixie Medicine Man. Maun: Black Crake Books. 402 pages. ISBN: 978-99968-400-2-9.
  2. Makgala, C.J, 2010. The Dixie Medicine Man. Bloomington: Indiana, iUniverse. 470 pages, ISBN: 9781-4502-3537-2.

BOOK CHAPTERS

  1. Makgala, C.J and Mac Giollabhuí, S, 2014. 'Botswana: Presidential Ambitions, Party Factions and the Durability of a Dominant Party', in Renske Doorenspleet and Lia Nijzink (eds.), Party Systems and Democracy in Africa. New York: Pelgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 9781137011701, pp.69-86.
  2. Makgala, C.J, 2007. '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, pp.21-42. ISBN: 978-91-7106-588-9.
  3. Makgala, C.J, 2007. 'Role and Development of Labour Movement to 1994', in Christian John Makgala (editor), History of the Botswana Manual Workers Union. Gaborone: Bay Publishing, pp.21-38. ISBN: 978-99912-598-9-5.
  4. Makgala, C.J, 2007. '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, pp.39-71. ISBN: 978-99912-598-9-5.
  5. Makgala, C.J, 2008. '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. pp.113-116.
  6. Makgala, C.J, 2008. '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. pp.73-76.
  7. Makgala, C.J, and Mgadla, P.T. 2008. '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, 2006. pp.37-40.
  8. Makgala, C.J, 2008. 'Khama III, c.1836-1923', New Encyclopaedia of Africa. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons Reference Books, 3, pp.112-113. ISBN: 978-0-684-31454-9.
  9. Makgala, C.J, 2008. 'Seretse Khama, 1921-1980', New Encyclopaedia of Africa. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons Reference Books, 3, pp.110-111. ISBN: 978-0-684-31454-9.
  10. Makgala, C.J, 2008. 'Botswana', The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Modern World. New York: Oxford University Press. 1, pp.444-445. ISBN: 9780195120905.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

  1. Makgala, CJ, November 2019, 'Botswana Democratic Party's Manifesto Experiment and Electioneering', Journal of African Elections (forthcoming).
  2. Makgala, CJ, 2019, 'Intrusion into Rural Tribal Space: The Case of the Trans-Kalahari Motor Race in Botswana, 1975-1981', Journal of Southern African Studies, vol. 45: DOI:10.1080/03057070.2019.1661203 or https://doi.org/10.1080/03057070.2019.1661203
  3. Makgala, CJ, 2019, 'University of Botswana's History Student Research and the Development of a New Generation of Historians in the New Millennium', Lonaka Journal of Learning and Teaching, vol. 10, No. 1, pp.30-33.
  4. Makgala, CJ, 2018, 'Popular Participation in the Provision of Higher Education and Restoration of Historical Heritage: The Case of the University of Botswana Logo, 1976-2014', South African Historical Journal, https://doi.org/10.1080/02582473.2018.1443156
  5. Makgala, CJ, Goitsemang, G and David Norris, D, 2018, "'In an Hour, I Could be Shot Over Angola": The Geopolitical Dynamics and Experience of the 1988 Shooting of President Masire's Jet', Botswana Notes and Records: A Special Issue on Botswana Notes and Records' Golden Jubilee Volume in Honour of Sir Ketumile Masire, 50, (2018), pp.153-165.
  6. Makgala, CJ, and Bolaane, M, 2018, "The Rock Star that got Stage Fright at Auction": The Political Economy of Marketing the Historic Lesedi La Rona Diamond', Botswana Notes and Records: A Special Issue on Botswana Notes and Records' Golden Jubilee Volume in Honour of Sir Ketumile Masire, 50, , pp.199-213.
  7. Makgala, CJ, 'Makererization': Politics, Leadership and Management at the University of Botswana from 2011-2017', CODESRIA Journal of Higher Education in Africa/RESA, 15, No. 2, 2017, pp.147-170.
  8. Makgala, CJ and Seabo, B, 2017, '"Very Brave or Very Foolish": "Gallant Little" Botswana's Defiance of "Apartheid's Golden Age", 1966-1980', The Round Table: The Commonwealth's Journal of International Affairs, 2017, DIO: 10.1080/00358533.2017.1327203.
  9. Makgala C.J. and Botlhomilwe, M.Z, 2017, 'Elite Interests and Political Participation in Botswana, 1966-2014', Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 35, 1, pp.54-72. DOI: 10.1080/02589001.2017.1285010 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02589001.2017.1285010
  10. Makgala, CJ and Gumbo, GB, 2017. 'President Festus Mogae, University of Botswana Academics and Public Discourse in Botswana, 1998-2008. BOLESWA Journal of Theology, Religion and Philosophy, 4, 3, pp.117-133.
  11. Makgala, CJ and Sebina, PM 2016, 'The Botched "National Prayer": Challenges in the Performance and Recording of the Botswana National Anthem, 1965-2006', Botswana Notes and Records: Special Issue on the Humanities and UB and Botswana's 50 Years of Independence, 48, 1, pp.72-84.
  12. Makgala, CJ, and Bolaane, M, 2016, 'Gobe Matenge's Social Engineering Through Milestone Independence Anniversary Celebrations in Botswana, 1975-2016', Botswana Notes and Records: Special Issue on the Humanities and UB and Botswana's 50 Years of Independence, 48, pp.218-228.
  13. Makgala, CJ, Bolaane, M, and Chebanne, A, 2016, '"Plagiarism is a Great Insult": Politics and Discourses of Intellectual Property Rights Infringement in Botswana, 1970s-2016', Botswana Notes and Records: Special Issue on the Humanities and UB and Botswana's 50 Years of Independence, 48, pp.260-275.
  14. Makgala, CJ, and PC Thebe, 2015, '"There is No Hurry in Botswana": Scholarship and Stereotypes on African Time Syndrome in Botswana, 1895-2011', New Contree, 72, July, pp.1-20.
  15. Makgala, CJ, 2014. 'Neil Parsons, National Coat of Arms and Introduction of Pula Currency in Botswana, 1975-1976' South African Historical Journal, published online 14 April 2014, pp.1-17.
  16. Makgala, CJ and Kealotswe, O, 2014. 'The London Missionary Society and Creation of Nationhood in Botswana, 1840s to 1966', BOLESWA Journal of Theology, Religion and Philosophy, 4, 2, pp.132-151.
  17. Makgala, CJ, 2013. 'The Discourses of Poor Work Ethic in Botswana, A Historical Perspective, 1930-2010', Journal of Southern African Studies, 39, 1, pp.1-14.
  18. Makgala, CJ, 2012. Basutoland Congress Party in Exile, 1974-1986', African Historical Review, 44, 2, pp.78-97.
  19. Makgala, CJ. 2012, 'Provision of Local Services by Tribal Administration in Bechuanaland Protectorate, 1900-1966', South African Historical Journal, 64, 4, pp.787-806.
  20. Makgala, CJ, and Monkge, MC, 2011. 'Witchcraft Renaissance: The Paradox of Sorcery and Christianity among Batswana, c.1849 - 2008', Botswana Notes and Records, 43, pp.140-150.
  21. Makgala, CJ, 2010. 'The Limitations of British Territorial Control in Bechuanaland Protectorate, 1918-1953', Journal of Southern African Studies, 36,1, pp.58-70.
  22. Makgala, CJ, and LM Fisher, May 2009. 'The Impact of the Zimbabwean Liberation Struggle on Botswana: The Case of Lesoma Ambush, 1978', New Contree, 57, pp.158-178.
  23. Makgala, C.J, April 2009. 'History and Perceptions of Regionalism in Botswana, 1891-2005', Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 27, No. 2, pp.225-242.
  24. Makgala, CJ and Botlhale, E, 2008. 'The Challenges of Financial Responsibility in the Tribal Administration of Bechuanaland Protectorate, 1919-1966', African Historical Review, 40, 2, pp.28-61.
  25. Makgala, CJ, and Mr P Thebe, 2008. 'Dishonouring the Ancestors and Marginalising Heritage: The Case of the National War Memorial in Gaborone', BOLESWA Journal of Theology, Religion and Philosophy, 2, 2, pp.59-81.
  26. Makgala, C.J, 2007. 'Public Debates on Foreign Exchange Policy in Botswana, 1976-2005', Botswana Journal of Business, 2, 2, pp.57-69.
  27. Makgala, C.J, 2007. 'Bakgalagadi Opposition to Subservience and Exploitation in Tsetseng, 1918-1953', Botswana Notes and Records, 40, pp.60-73.
  28. Makgala, C.J, 2007. 'Nation-Building and a 'Perfect' Country Name: An Appraisal of Letters to the Newspapers in Botswana, 1981 and 2002'. Botswana Notes and Records, 40, pp.88-99.
  29. Makgala, C.J, 2008. 'Historical and Politico-Cultural Significance of Botswana's Pula Currency'. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, 22, pp.41-55.
  30. Makgala, C.J, 2006. 'Bid to Settle Jewish Refugees from Nazi-Germany in Botswana, 1938-1939', Botswana Notes and Records, 38, pp.20-32.
  31. Makgala, C.J, 2006. 'BNF and BDP's "Fight" for Attention of the ANC: A Historical Perspective, 1912 to 2004', Botswana Notes and Records, 38, pp.115-133.
  32. Makgala, C.J, 2005. 'Botswana's NAMPAADD in Historical Perspective, 1939-2005', Pula: Botswana Journal of African studies, 19, 2, pp.118-128.
  33. Makgala, C.J, 2006. 'Ngwato Attitudes Towards Zimbabwean Immigrants in Bechuanaland Protectorate in the 1950s', Kleio: A Journal of Historical Studies from Africa, 38. 2, pp.191-206.
  34. Makgala, C.J, 2005. 'The Relationship between Kenneth Koma and the BDP, 1965-2003', African Affairs, 104, pp.303-323.
  35. Makgala, C.J, 2004. 'The Development and Role of Tribal Police in Botswana, 1926-1973', Crime and Justice International, 20, 79, pp.11-19.
  36. Makgala, C.J, 2004. 'A Survey of Race Relations in Botswana, 1800-1966', Botswana Notes and Records, 36, pp.9-24.
  37. Makgala, C.J, 2004. 'Taxation in the Tribal Areas of Colonial Botswana, 1899-1957', Journal of African History, 45, pp.279-303.
  38. Makgala, C.J, 2003. '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, pp.51-66.
  39. Makgala, C.J, 2003. 'The Dispensation of Justice in the Tribal Areas of Colonial Botswana', Crime and Justice International, 19, 17, pp.5-10.
  40. Makgala, C.J, 2002. 'Brief Notes on History of Serowe', Botswana Notes and Records, 34, pp.160-163.
  41. Makgala, C.J, 2001. 'Tshekedi Khama, Patrick Duncan and the ANC Leadership Vacuum in South Africa, 1949-1955', Botswana Notes and Records, 33, pp.47-53.

BOOK REVIEWS

  1. Jonathan Laverick, 2015, The Kalahari Killings: The True Story of a Wartime Double Murder in Botswana, 1943. Stroud: The History Press, 227 pages, softcover, ISBN: 978-0-7509-5665-9. South African Historical Journal, DOI: 10.1080/02582473.2017.1397185 or https://doi.org/10.1080/02582473.2017.1397185
  2. Kuela Kiema, 2010, Tears for My Land: A Social History of the Kua of Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Tc'amnqoo. Gaborone: Mmegi Publishing House, 171 pages, soft cover, ISBN: 978-99912-526-1-2, Pula. The Botswana Journal of African Studies, 31, 2 (2017), pp.174-177.
  3. Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe, 2016, The General: In the Service of My Country. Gaborone: Diamond Educational Books, 2015, xv+204 pages, soft cover, ISBN: 978-99912-490-2-5, Historia, 61, pp.190-193.
  4. Margaret Nasha, 2014, Madam Speaker, Sir! Breaking the Glass Ceiling: One Woman's Struggles. Gaborone: Diamond Educational Publishers, 2014, x+208 pages, soft cover, ISBN: 978-99912-933-5-6, Journal of Southern African Studies, 42:5, (2016) 1024-1025, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03057070.2016.1222768
  5. Kelvin Joseph Bwalya, Nathan Mwakoshi Mnjama and Peter Mazebe II Mothataesi Sebina (eds), 2014, Concepts and Advances in Information Knowledge Management: Studies from Developing and Emerging Economies. Oxford: Chandos Publishing. Paperback, xxx + 268 pages, ISBN: 978-84334-754-5, Journal of Southern African Studies, 42 (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03057070.2016.1253934
  6. Andrew Manson and Bernard K Mbenga, 2014, Land, Chiefs, Mining: South Africa's North West Province since 1840. Johannesburg: Wits University Press, xiv+191 pages, soft cover, ISBN: 978-1-86814-771-7, African Historical Review, 48, 1 2016, pp.174-177.
  7. Ron Nixon, Selling Apartheid: South Africa's Global Propaganda War. Auckland Park: Jacana, 2015, iv+250 pages, paperback, ISBN: 978-1-4314-2143-5, African Historical Review, 48, 1 (2016), pp.169-173.
  8. Kwesi Kwaa Prah, 2014 Tracings: Pan Africanism and the Challenges of Global African Unity. Cape Town: Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society. 116 pages, paperback, ISBN: 978-1-920287-66-5. South African Historical Journal, 67, 3, 2015,pp.78-380.
  9. Mary S Lederer, Novels of Botswana in English, 1930-2006. New York, Lagos and London: African Heritage Press, 2014, paperback, 185 pages, ISBN: 978-1-940729-15-2. Historia, vol. 60, 1, 2015, pp.210-212.
  10. David Magang, Delusions of Grandeur: Paradoxies and Ambivalences in Botswana's Macroeconomic Firmament, Volume One. Gaborone: Print Media Consult, soft cover, vii+538 pages, ISBN: 978-99968-0-278-4. Historia, 60, 2, 2015, pp.238-241.
  11. Justice Motlhabani, Why I Didn't Kiss Tatiana: 21 Days in Big Brother Africa House. Gaborone: Author, 2014. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies. 29, 2, 2015, pp.284-285.
  12. Maitseo MM Bolaane, Chiefs, Hunters and San in the Creation of the Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta: Multiracial Interactions and Initiatives, 1956-1979. Osaka: National Museum of Ethnology, 2013, ix-295 pages, paperback, ISBN: 978-4-906962-08-2 C3039. Botswana Notes and Records vol. 47, pp.175-176.
  13. 2014. David Attwell and Derek Attridge (eds.), The Cambridge History of South African Literature. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2012, xvii+877 pages, paperback African Edition, ISBN: 978-1-107-68187-3. African Historical Review, 46 (2), pp.147-150.
  14. 2013, MMalgorzata Dziewiecka (Gosia), The Life and Times of Ngamiland: The Story of Maun (Warsaw: Polish Chapter of the Explorers Club, 2012), soft cover, 446 pages, ISBN: 978-83-7611-997-7. African Historical Review, 45, 2, (2013), pp.176-178.
  15. 2013, David Johnson, Imagining the Cape Colony: History, Literature, and the South African Nation (Cape Town: University of Cape Town Press, 2012), viii + 222 pages, soft cover, ISBN: 978-1-92049-975-4. African Historical Review 45, 2, (2013), pp.158-161.
  16. 2013, Ray Matlapeng Molomo, Democratic Deficit in the Parliament of Botswana. Cape Town: Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society, 2012, xii+600 pages, soft-cover. ISBN: 978-1-920287-34-4. Journal of Southern African Studies, 39, 4, (2013), pp.999-1000.
  17. 2013, Ørnulf Gulbrandsen, The State and the Social: State Formation in Botswana and Its Precolonial and Colonial Genealogies (New York and Oxford: Berghahn Books, 2012), 343 pages, ISBN: 9-780857-452979. Journal of African History, 54, 1 (2013), pp.137-138.
  18. 2012, Oagile Key Dingake, Unearthing the Hidden Treasure: The Untold Story of Gobe Matenge (Gaborone: Medi Publishing, 2011), 187 pages, ISBN: 978-99912-904-2-3. Botswana Notes and Records, 44, pp.245-247.
  19. 2012. Quett Ketumile Joni Masire, (edited by Stephen R Lewis, Jr), Very Brave or Very Foolish: Memoirs of an African Democrat. Gaborone: Macmillan, 2006), 333 pages. Botswana Notes and Records, 44, pp.243-244.
  20. 2013. Gerald Gibbs, The Pimp and the Preacher. Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse, 2006, ISBN-13:978-0-595-35042-1, paperback, v + 280 pages. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, 26 (2), pp.257-260.
  21. 2010. 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. 42, pp.202-203.
  22. 2010. Fedelis Nkomazana and Laurel Lanner, (eds.), Aspects of the History of the Church in Botswana. Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications, 2007, 376 pages, paperback. Botswana Notes and Records, 42, pp.191-192.
  23. 2010. Kweku Ampiah and Sanusha Naidu (editors), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? Africa and China. Scottsville: University of Kwazulu-Natal Press, 2008, xv +357 pp. African Historical Review, 42 (2), pp.118-121.
  24. 2010. Michela Wrong, It's Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistleblower. London: Fourth Estate, 2009, xi-354 pages. Paperback. ISBN 978-0-00-724196-5. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, July 2010, pp.371-373.
  25. 2009. Leo Zeilig, Patrice Lumumba: Africa's Lost Leader. London: Haus Publishing Limited, 2008, 182 pages, African Historical Review, 41 (2).
  26. 2009. 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.
  27. 2009. 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.
  28. 2007. Robyn Cox, Pula, Pula, Pula: Two Years in Search of Money, Rain and Blessings for Botswana. London: Wild Dog Publishing, 2008; 295 pages, paperback. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, 21, pp.325-326.
  29. 2007. David Harvey, Do As Botswana Does. Gaborone: Pula Press, 2007, 303 pages. Botswana Notes and Records, 40, pp.183-184.
  30. 2007. 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.
  31. 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.
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. 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.439-440.

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