High School History Recap

William H Palk and Colin du Plessis

The High School History Recap podcast was started by two passionate teachers from South Africa who realised the value of taking history teaching and learning beyond the confines of the textbook and classroom. Their recipe includes constructive conversations with learners and experts alike. William and Colin investigate topics covered in most history classrooms but also ask questions about how best to teach and learn these topics. They cover the "what to teach", "how to teach", "how we learn", and "thinking tools" of history teaching and learning. Find them on any podcast player platform like Apple or Spotify. Let's share the love for history. Find us on Twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis. Our email address is [email protected].

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Top 10 High School History Recap Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best High School History Recap episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to High School History Recap for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite High School History Recap episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

#14 The Cradock Four with Zikhona Valela

High School History Recap

04/17/22 • 60 min

The following twitter post accompanies this episode of The Cradock Four.
https://mobile.twitter.com/valavoosh/status/1276826105740169218

The historian, Zikhona Valela, joins us to talk about the Cradock Four and, more specifically, misinformation around the supposed famous photo of the Cradock Four. Zikhona tells the story of the four men who were murdered on June 27th, 1985. How did it happen that two of the four men, and the trauma of their families, were actually erased from the historical record? Why do we continue sharing convenient narratives that are, on closer inspection, inaccurate and untrue? Zikhona helps us to piece together some of the missing parts of the Cradock Four. We also consider some of the failures of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Some of the questions asked:

Who were Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli?
What motivated Zikhona to fight misconceptions about the past?
Is the South African public apathetic about their past?
How should we go about dispelling misinformation about the past?
What is missing from the conventional narrative of the Cradock Four?
How do we do the story of the Cradock Four justice?
Is the 1980s a turning point in South African history?
How did the United Democratic Front (UDF) come into existence?
Is the murders of Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli a case of mistaken identity?
How does the supposed photo of the Cradock Four perpetuate a false narrative?
How did it happen that Mbulelo Goniwe and Madoda Jacob were erased from history?
Who took the photograph of the Cradock Four? When was it taken?
The importance of crediting photographers
What did the families of the Cradock Four know before truths were revealed at the TRC?
Would the truth about the Cradock Four have come to light without the perpetrators testifying before the TRC?
Why did the Mbeki government not proceed with TRC recommendations?
Why was the late 1980s and early 1990s more violent than earlier decades?
Why would some people think of Nelson Mandela as a sell-out?
What were some of the failures of the TRC?
What should the lesson be that we take from the story of the Cradock Four?

Follow Zikhona Valela on twitter @valavoosh. Send questions and suggestions to William H Palk at @WilliamHPalk and Colin du Plessis at @C_duPlessis.

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#4 What were some of history's deadliest pandemics?

High School History Recap

03/27/20 • 54 min

#15 South Africa's Education Mismatch with Dr Precious Mncayi

High School History Recap

05/23/21 • 52 min

In this episode William is in conversation with Dr Precious Mncayi about research she has done into South Africa's unemployment crisis. We have an unemployment rate of at least 29% and it is therefore vital to look at the mismatches between education and the demands of the labour market.
Read her article here.
Questions asked in this podcast:
Is SA facing an unemployment crisis?
Is the focus on STEM warranted?
How does SA’s unemployment figure compare to other countries?
What is the link between STEM fields and economic growth?
What are the demands of the labour market?
What are the historical explanations for SA’s high unemployment figure?
What is meant with education mismatch?
Why is there a mismatch between what students set out to study and what they end up doing?
SA has the largest share of mismatch workers...
What does it mean to be underemployed?
Is it still worthwhile to go and study?
Are we ignorant about the demands of the labour market?
Which factors determine study and career choice?
Striking a balance between interest and demand...
Where can we get more information on the demands of SA’s labour market?
How has SA’s labour market change?
Which qualifications have high employment prospects?
Should you pursue a degree or a diploma?
What about the humanities?
Is there a shortage of teachers in SA?
What is the average age of teachers in SA?
How can high school learners make better subject choices?
What should be the main aim of education in schools today?
What is government’s role in solving SA’s education mismatch?
What is the single most important change we can make to prevent education mismatch?Should psychometric testing determine university admission?
Are matric distinctions a guarantee for university success?
Resources:
www.lmip.org.za
www.lmi-research.org.za
Find us on twitter:
William H Palk
Dr Precious Mncayi
Let us know what you think:
[email protected]

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#3 Hitler's Aggressive and Expansionist Foreign Policy

High School History Recap

03/25/20 • 32 min

In this episode we discuss Hitler's foreign policy - from retaking the Rhineland to the invasion of Poland. We recap his rise to power in the face of a global economic crisis and comment on his ambition. We consider whether his quest for lebensraum was the main impetus of his foreign policy. We mention Chamberlain's policy of appeasement and look at the controversial Non-Aggression Pact Hitler signed with Stalin. Please contact us at [email protected] or at the twitter handle @WilliamHPalk.

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#1 The Anglo-Zulu War with Richard Wyllie

High School History Recap

09/01/20 • 50 min

In this episode we discuss the Anglo-Zulu War with battlefield expert, Richard Wyllie. We look at how British imperialism, and specifically the idea of confederation, contributed to the outbreak of the war. Why were the British so interested in South Africa? We discuss the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift in more detail. Why was Isandlwana called the "Day of the Dead Moon"? Did you know that 11 VCs were awarded to British soldiers following the Battle of Rorke's Drift? We end by considering how the AZW might have affected the history of South Africa. Find us on twitter @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.

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#47 A More Complete Story of Black Power with Dr Ashley D Farmer

High School History Recap

07/18/20 • 72 min

In this podcast we discuss Black Power and the Black Panther Party with historian, Dr Ashley Farmer. Dr Farmer is the author of the fantastic book "Remaking Black Power: How Black Women Transformed an Era". What are the central principles of Black Power? Did Black Power start with Stokely Carmichael in 1966? We see that Black Power has a long history, going back to Marcus Garvey and Robert F Williams. Who were the Deacons for Defense? Black Power coalesced into a movement in the 1960's and 1970's. The term itself can actually be traced back to author Richard Wright. Dr Farmer shows how Black Power was more of an ideology, but that this way of thinking found expression in the Black Power Movement. Why is the Civil Rights Movement associated with non-violence, but Black Power with the use of force? How did this false dichotomy come about? Why do people still think Rosa Parks was either tired or old when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man? The Civil Rights Movement and Black Power were more like streams that weaved into each other. It wasn't necessarily two separate movements. Dr Farmer refers to these efforts for the liberation of African Americans as the Black Freedom Movement. But it is a fact that strategies and approaches differed depending on what black people's lives looked like. Why is Malcolm X considered the patron saint of Black Power? Why are women "left out" of the conventional Black Power narrative? Dr Farmer shows how the Moynihan Report of 1965 contributed to the silencing of women's voices. Who were some of important women in the Black Power movement? Ella Baker is quoted as saying "strong people don't need strong leaders". To do Black Women's history is to do grassroots history. Find out why this is the case. What is the origin story of the Black Panthers? Where did the ideas and icons for the Black Panthers come from? We learn that there was way more to the Black Panthers than the much publicized "police the police". We also talk about the roles of Angela Davis and Kathleen Cleaver. We conclude by discussing the link between Black Power and Black Lives Matter. This was truly a very insightful discussion about a topic that definitely needs re-investigation. Find Dr Ashley Farmer on twitter @drashleyfarmer. Please give us some feedback @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.

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#43 Historical Knowledge Skills

High School History Recap

07/03/20 • 39 min

In this episode, Michael and I discuss historical knowledge skills. Michael is the creator of the historyskills.com website which contains excellent lessons for the history classroom. History knowledge skills include chronology, change and continuity, causes and consequences, significance, and motives and historical empathy. It's vital for history students to understand these very important knowledge skills, which are often central to assessments. Be sure to listen to the other two episodes on source criticism and research as well. Follow History Skills on twitter @HistorySkills. You are welcome to send suggestions and questions to @WilliamHPalk or @C_duPlessis.

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