‘Widening the Lens’

The enduring significance of the Second World War persists into contemporary times. However, within the realm of historical scholarship, the experiences of Southern Africa during this global conflict have often been overshadowed by dominant narratives focused on Europe, Asia, and North America. While existing research has primarily emphasised contributions and sacrifices made on continental and foreign battlefields for colonial empires, this special issue seeks to address these scholarly lacunae. Gathering an assortment of articles authored by a new generation of Southern African historians, this collection seeks to widen the lens through which the regional impact of the Second World War is understood by challenging conventional historical approaches. Through critically examining the region’s political, economic, and social landscape before, during, and after the war, this special issue illuminates the multifaceted repercussions of the global conflict on Southern Africa and its diverse societies.