Moltenos of the Cape

A biography of the Molteno family, political reformers, activists, and civil servants, who helped shape South African history. From the Cape Colony's first prime minister to anti-segregation crusaders, a story of public service, anti-racism, and progressive ideals across generations.

List of contents

Simplified family tree of principal characters, Abbreviations, Illustrations, Author biographies, Preface and acknowledgements, 1. Introduction 2. John Charles ('John') Molteno (1814-1886): A New Start 3. John Charles ('John') Molteno: In Government 4. Into the Next Generation 5. Elizabeth Maria ('Betty') Molteno (1852-1927) 6. John Charles ('Charlie') Molteno (1860-1924) 7. Percy Alport Molteno (1861-1937) 8. James Tennant Molteno (1865-1936) 9. Vincent 'Barkly' Molteno (1872-1952) 10. The Decline of British Hegemony and Cape Liberalism 11. Donald Barkly Molteno (1908-1972) 12. Conclusion, Notes, References and Sources, Index

About the author

Selina Molteno was born in Cape Town and travelled to Europe in 1959 to pursue a career in ballet. She is married to an Oxford academic and has two children and two grandchildren. She has lived in Nigeria and the Caribbean and is author of Letters from an Intrepid Ballet Dancer (2015; 2nd edition 2022), The Secret Son of Wallis Simpson (2022), and co-author of An Expatriate Family in the Nigerian Civil War (2020).

Product details

• Authors: Selina Molteno, Molteno Selina
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 14.10.2025
• EAN: 9781041169468
• ISBN: 978-1-0-4116946-8
• No. of pages: 252
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; HISTORY / Africa / General, HISTORY / Africa / South / Republic of South Africa, HISTORY / Africa / South / General, Reference works, African History, Biography: historical, political and military