On Colonial Monuments in the Post-colony: An Outline of the Problems of Populist Approaches in Managing Heritage in Southern Africa.

The article examines the challenges southern African nations face in managing colonial-era monuments, critiquing the populist-driven approaches of removal and decontextualization adopted after independence. It argues that such methods risk heritage fundamentalism and overlook that contestations over heritage extend beyond colonial and racial binaries, affecting all forms of legacy and memory. Using case studies from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa, the article highlights how interpretation—reframing narratives around monuments—rather than erasure, offers a more sustainable framework for heritage management that respects legal frameworks and democratic principles. It also discusses the contested legacies of political figures and new heritage projects, illustrating the complexities of heritage as a site of ongoing negotiation rather than fixed meaning.