This monograph has its origins in lectures presented to political science students at the University of Durban-Westville, as well as to officers on the Joint Staff Course at the Defence Force College in Pretoria. Students expressed their concern about the `First World` and Eurocentric bias of much of the available literature on new security thinking. Officers, on the other hand, displayed scepticism as to the practical utility of new security thinking. What this publication attempts to do, then, is to critically analyse new security thinking through the lens of Southern Africa and Africa. In addition, it seeks to explore the interface between theory and practice, thereby hoping to lay to rest any scepticism on the practical utility of the new security agenda.

In the first article, Hussein Solomon examines the historical development of new security thinking, assesses the criticism levelled against it and analyses its impact on policy. In his penetrating rejoinder, Anton du Plessis questions the `newness` of new security thinking and stresses that a synthesis of exogenous and indigenous thinking must be developed in response to local security imperatives.

Heidi Hudson`s superbly researched A Feminist Reading of Security in Africa not only offers an alternative vision of security in Africa through the lens of gender, but also presents an inclusive vision of global security representative of the rich tapestry of experiences of both men and women. In her response, Virginia Gamba emphasises the fact that feminist thought never existed in isolation from the mainstream of security thinking, and that women have made a fundamental impact on the changing character of security concerns world-wide. Gamba also notes that, in many societies, religion and culture often legitimise structures of male supremacy.

It is hoped that Maxi van Aardt`s excellent The Application of the New Security Agenda for Southern Africa will stimulate the debate between academics and practitioners, especially since she raises some pertinent questions, such as the implications of the apparent `retreat` of military security for creating and maintaining broad security. In her incisive rejoinder, Marie Muller notes how globalisation is impacting on political thinking and convincingly argues for an integrated approach to security and development.