Meaning: This quote by Joe Slovo, a prominent South African politician and anti-apartheid activist, addresses the unique circumstances and challenges faced by the liberation struggle in South Africa. Slovo was a key figure in the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party, and played a significant role in the fight against apartheid. His words reflect a realistic assessment of the South African context and the strategic considerations that shaped the struggle for freedom and equality in the country.

In the quote, Slovo emphasizes the distinct nature of the struggle for liberation in South Africa compared to other countries in southern Africa. He points out that the country lacks the geographical conditions that traditionally give rise to a classical guerrilla struggle. This observation is significant in understanding the strategic decisions and tactics employed by the anti-apartheid movements in South Africa. Unlike neighboring countries with expansive rural areas and hinterlands that have historically been conducive to guerrilla warfare, South Africa's landscape and geography presented unique challenges for liberation fighters.

Slovo's reference to the absence of a hinterland is particularly noteworthy. In the context of guerrilla warfare, a hinterland typically refers to a remote and inaccessible region that provides a safe haven and operational base for insurgent forces. In South Africa, the absence of such a hinterland meant that the liberation struggle had to adapt to different conditions. The urban centers and townships became the focal points of resistance and mobilization, and the struggle against apartheid manifested primarily in the form of mass protests, strikes, and underground resistance within the urban and semi-urban environments.

Furthermore, Slovo's statement that South Africa "never had a hinterland" and does not expect to have one sheds light on the strategic thinking of the anti-apartheid movements. It underscores the recognition that the struggle had to be waged within the constraints of the urban and semi-urban spaces, and that traditional guerrilla tactics might not be as effective in the South African context. This acknowledgment likely informed the strategic decisions made by the ANC and other liberation movements, leading to a focus on mass mobilization, international solidarity, and the use of both armed and non-violent resistance strategies.

Overall, Joe Slovo's quote encapsulates a pragmatic assessment of the unique conditions and challenges faced by the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. It highlights the need for adaptability and innovation in the face of distinct geographical and strategic realities. By acknowledging the absence of a classical guerrilla struggle basis and the lack of a hinterland, Slovo provides insight into the complexities of the liberation struggle and the strategic considerations that shaped the tactics and approaches of the anti-apartheid movements. His words offer a valuable perspective on the nuanced nature of resistance and liberation struggles, and the ways in which they are shaped by specific historical, geographical, and social contexts.