"First published in southern Africa by Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd, 10 Orange Street, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa. Reprinted by special arrangement with André Odendaal."

The crucible of colonialism -- Africans in a colonial order -- Tiyo Soga and voices from the 1860s -- The first generation of activists, 1870s -- "Deeper than his civilisation" -- Isigidimi and the native educational association -- Imbumba Yama Nyama, 1882 -- New organisations in Thembuland -- Mobilising along the Kei -- Using the ballot box -- Launch of the "National Newspaper," 1884 -- The Union of Native Vigilance Associations, 1887 -- Vigilance associations challenge Tung' Umlomo -- "A native bill for Africa" -- The South African Native Congress, 1890-1891 -- "The Congress" versus "The Union" -- The "believers" and the British in Natal -- Bloemfontein, "Black Mountain" and Basutoland -- Diamonds and the expansion of political networks -- Gold and a new nationalism -- The emergence of a national movement -- Women in the struggle -- Black economic empowerment -- Playing the white man at his own game -- Part of a global dialogue -- The South African War, 1899-1902 -- New politics in the Transvaal -- New politics in the Orange River Colony -- The Natal Native Congress -- Gandhi and the Natal Indian Congress -- Cape Town and post-war politics -- Growth of the South African Native Congress -- Transkei organisations and Bhunga politics -- Higher education and the future -- "Closer union" and the Queenstown Conference, 1907 -- Preparations for the national convention -- The national convention, 1908 -- Petitioning the national convention -- The protectorates and union -- Responses to the national convention, 1909 -- Plans for a counter-convention -- The South African Native Convention, March 1909 -- Jabavu and the APO join the chorus, April 1909 -- Appeal to the British Parliament -- Preparations for the delegation to England -- The coloured and native delegation in London, July 1909 -- Birth of the new South Africa, May 1910 -- Dr Rubusana makes history -- Attempts to cement unity, 1910-1911 -- The South African Native National Congress, 1912 -- Conclusion.