critical
perspectives
on
Southern
Africa


EDITORS:
Bill Freund, Gerhard Mar6, Mike Morris (University of Natal),
Vishnu Padayachee (University of Durban-Westville)
 CORRESPONDING EDITORS:
Colin Bundy (University of the Western-Cape), Stephen Gelb, Shireen Hassim (Univer-
sity of Durban-Westville), Peter Hudson, Debbie Posel (University of the Wit-
watersrand), David Kaplan, Dave Lewis, Mary Simons (University of Cape Town),
Francie Lund, Nic Amin (University of Natal), Mala Singh (CSD).
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATE EDITORS:
Henry Bernstein (SOAS, University of London), Gillian Hart (University of Califor-
nia, Berkeley), Mahmood Mamdani (Centre of Basic Research, Kampala), Martin
Murray (SUNY Binghamton), Dan O'Meara (University de Quebec a Montreal),
Terence Ranger (University of Oxford), John Saul (York University), Elling N
Tj0nneland (Christian Michelsen Institute, Norway), Gavin Williams (University of
Oxford).
LAYOUT BY: Rob Evans
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES:
We ask contributors to submit two (2) typed copies, following the format (on such
issues as references and notes) of articles in this issue of TRANSFORMATION.
Whilst the journal will cater for work at any level of abstraction, or detail, a number of
criteria will guide the editors in selection of material for inclusion. Articles should aim
for academic rigour but also clarify the political implications of the issues discussed. We
are concerned not to compete with other South African journals that may cover related
ground but in different ways - this will govern our selection principles. All articles will
be assessed anonymously by the referees. Contributions should preferably not exceed
the following lengths:
Analytical articles: 7 000 words
Debates and review articles: 3 000 words
The views expressed in TRANSFORMATION do not necessarily reflect those of
the editors.
     EDITORIAL AND CONTRIBUTIONS ADDRESS:
     TRANSFORMATION,
     c/o Economic History Department
     University of Natal
     King George V Ave
     4001 Durban South Africa
                      SUBSCRIPTIONS RATES AND ADDRESS
                            AT THE BACK OF THIS ISSUE.
                                     ISSN: 0258 - 7696


TRANS                                                       26 199
 FORM
ATION
CONTENTS
Articles
Three of our four lead articles in Transformation 26 are based on papers for the
1994 History Workshop. The theme of the workshop was democratisation.
IDENTITY, DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL RIGHTS: SOUTH
AFRICA IN A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE
       RAN GREENSTEIN proposes a rigorous comparative
       analysis of the discourse of liberation, majority rule,
       non-racialism and democracy in South Africa with that
       prevailing amongst Palestinians/Israelis. He argues that such
       comparisons rely on assessing specific historic configurations
       rather than any universal logic.
 THE AMBIGUITIES OF DEMOCRACY: THE DEMOBILISATION
 OF THE ZIMBABWEAN EX-COMBATANTS AND THE ORDEAL
 OF REHABILITATION, 1980-93
        What becomes of the insurgent army when the battle is won?
        This problem, which remains a sore point in the new South
        Africa, has represented a key issue in Zimbabwe since 1980.
        MUCHAPARARA MUSEMWA considers how and why
        demobilisation has been a failure to a large extent.


IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY: DEMOCRACY, POWER AND
NATIONALIST DISCOURSE IN LESOTHO                                       47
      Democratisation was the watchword amongst aid donors and
      pundits in Africa in the early 1990s and Lesotho was a
      prominent example of a country where military rule was
      replaced through free elections. What went wrong? DAVID B
       COPLAN insists that democratisation requires more than
       constitutional procedures with lessons for South Africa as well
      as Lesotho.
(RE)PRESENTING 'THE FAMILY'- FAMILIST DISCOURSES,
WELFARE AND THE STATE                                                  63
       South Africa is awash with rhetoric about the restoration of
      family values and family structures. But 'familisf discourses
       that ignore the problems of women and place the burden of
       social stability on their shoulders may compound the collapse
       of thefamily, according to JACKIE SUNDE and VIVIENNE
       BOZALEK.
Debates
UNRAVELING CHERRYL WALKER'S CONFUSION                                  78
       ZARINA MAHARAJ responds to Cherryl Walker's critique.
HERE'S A FINE MESS; A RESPONSE TO BEN FINE'S
 'ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT'                                              84
       MATHEW BLATCHFORD defends Nicoli Nattrass'
       assessment ofANC economic policies in response to Ben Fine.
A REPLY TO BEN FINE                                                    91
       by NICOLI NATTRASS.