This paper reviews all known, and describes several new taxa of the Meconematinae of southern Africa. One genus, Africariola gen. n., four species of the genus Acilacris Bolivar and three species of the genus Aroegas Péringuey are described as new. Problems with the diagnosis of the Meconematinae are discussed, and a preliminary phylogenetic hypothesis for the southern African genera is presented. Palaearcticgenera Cyrtaspis Fischer and Canariola Uvarov, and southern African genera Africariola gen. n., Paracilacris Chopard, Aroegas Péringuey, and Acilacris Bolívar possibly form a monophyletic group characterized by shield-like pronotum, brachyptery in males, and ovipositor with toothed apex.