Congratulations to Esme Glen in Upper Sixth, whose essay was highly commended for the prestigious Robson History Prize awarded by Trinity College, Cambridge. 

She explored the question ‘‘Apartheid fell because it failed economically.’ Discuss.’ Esme made reference to an impressive array of primary and secondary source material, including the work of OE Peter Hain and a 1986 “Spitting Image” song.

Her extensive research and considerable super-curricular reading enabled her to present a persuasive analysis. She argued that the actions of sometimes violent opposition groups combined with the international ostracization of South Africa created irresistible political and economic pressure which forced de Klerk’s regime into abandoning the policy.

Esme will be presenting her argument to the Senior History Society later this term.