Why did Rhodesia collapse so much quicker than Apartheid South Africa?

My answer on Quora.

There are a number of reasons.

The Southern African country of Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence from Britain in 1965 (UDI). Source: Rhodesian UDI: 50 years on

a. The Country’s white population was considerably smaller than that of South Africa’s. At its height the Rhodesian white population stood at 300,000 or 8% of the total population. In South Africa the white population at one point numbered close to 19% of the total population. At its peak (1995) the population stood at 5.2 million.

b. The Rhodesian white population was largely comprised of British stock and all too often could make use of their connections with the commonwealth to leave the country, should the going get tough (which of course it did). The majority of South African whites are of Afrikaner stock (mixed Dutch/German/French Huguenot) and do not possess the same safety net. Their culture is also unique to the region. Many are people of the land who see themselves intrinsically linked to the country in a way that makes them more likely to hunker down and fight.

c. South Africa has considerably more mineral wealth and resources than Rhodesia/Zimbabwe has (or had). Consequently there was more push back against regime change that could endanger the control of this wealth.

d. Cold War considerations (especially around Uranium and Gold resources) made South Africa more of an important player in the Cold War. This explains the reluctance during this era by Western Countries to turn the screws on South Africa as they did with Rhodesia.

e. Rhodesia was a landlocked country and could be starved at the ports. This became a stark reality after the Portuguese left Mozambique in 1975. While South Africa helped Rhodesia out in the late 1970s this became less of a priority with the country facing more of its own foreign and domestic challenges.

f. South Africa was the regional superpower with a far ranging military capacity. While Rhodesian troops fought well against insurgent forces their strength was ultimately compromised by manpower considerations.

Source for Population Numbers:

1. White South Africans - Wikipedia
2. Rhodesia - Wikipedia