Black Soldiers in the Rhodesian Army: Colonialism, Professionalism, and Race

by M. T. Howard

Overview

During Zimbabwe's war of liberation (1965–80), fought between Zimbabwean nationalists and the minority-white Rhodesian settler-colonial regime, thousands of black soldiers volunteered for and served in the Rhodesian Army. This seeming paradox has often been noted by scholars and military researchers, yet little has been heard from black Rhodesian veterans themselves. Drawing from original interviews with black Rhodesian veterans and extensive archival research, M. T. Howard tackles the question of why so many black soldiers fought steadfastly and effectively for the Rhodesian Army, demonstrating that they felt loyalty to their comrades and regiments and not the Smith regime. Howard also shows that units in which black soldiers served – particularly the Rhodesian African Rifles – were fundamental to the Rhodesian counter-insurgency campaign. Highlighting the pivotal role black Rhodesian veterans played during both the war and the tumultuous early years of independence, this is a crucial contribution to the study of Zimbabwean decolonisation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009348454
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/11/2025
Series:	African Studies
Pages:	306
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

M. T. Howard is a historian and journalist from East Sussex and holds a master's and a doctorate from the University of Oxford, where he won the Terence Ranger Prize. He also received the Society for Military History's 2021 Coffman Prize honourable mention. His work has been published in journals including the Journal of Military History, the Journal of Southern African Studies, and the Journal of Cold War Studies.

Table of Contents

Contents; List of Figures; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction – The Loyalties of Colonial Soldiers; 2. The Creation of Black Rhodesian Soldiers' Regimental Loyalties; 3. 'The Rhodesian Army was the Best in Everything': The Professionalism of Black Rhodesian Soldiers; 4. Racism and Soldierly Loyalty During the War; 5. The Impact of the War Upon Soldierly Loyalties; 6. 'They Just Follow the Government of the Day': The Politics of 'Apolitical' Black Rhodesian Soldiers; 7. A New 'Government of the Day' Dawns: The Loyalties of 'Formers' in Zimbabwe, 1980–1981; Conclusion: The Loyalties of Professionals; References, Index.

Editorial Reviews

‘Black Soldiers is an important contribution to the burgeoning literature on violence in late-colonial Africa. It rightly insists that we give proper consideration to agency, nuance, and complexity when attempting to understand the actions and ideas of actors embroiled in the wars of decolonisation. This book must be read by anyone interested in Zimbabwe's path to independence and the wider issues of violence and the role of the military during decolonisation in Africa.' Daniel Branch, University of Warwick

‘Clearly written and cogently argued, this book focuses on Black soldiers in the Rhodesian army during Zimbabwe’s liberation war and the early years of independence. Its contribution is significant. … Highly recommended.’ E. S. Schmidt, CHOICE

‘This book will … be of great interest to students, scholars and general researchers of Zimbabwean and Southern African history, race and decolonisation, counterinsurgency and civil wars. As the role of the increasingly politicised zna in Zimbabwean politics is continually underlined by recent events, the necessity of tracing the so-called 'professional' and 'apolitical' roots of this institution is important for interpreting how the zna has evolved. Howard’s book is, therefore, a timely contribution for understanding this development.’ Matthew J. Lord, Journal of African Military History

From the Publisher