Many of the recent systematic studies on Southern African reptiles have been reviewed elsewhere (Branch & Bauer 2010). I refer readers to that review for a more detailed presentation of recent systematic methodology and the resultant taxonomic insights and updates. In this less formal presentation, and as retirement looms and I enter my dotage, it seems opportune to review the changing paradigm in systematic research as illustrated by some of my recent collaborative studies on African snakes and chelonians. There is not space to document all the literature dealing with these changes; again I refer interested readers to the review above.