What We Are Reading Today: Understanding South Africa

What We Are Reading Today: Understanding South Africa
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Updated 18 April 2023
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What We Are Reading Today: Understanding South Africa

What We Are Reading Today: Understanding South Africa

Authors: Carien Du Plessis, Martin Plaut

When Nelson Mandela emerged from decades in jail to preach reconciliation, South Africans truly became a “Rainbow Nation.” Yet, a quarter of a century later, the country sank into bitter recriminations and rampant corruption under Jacob Zuma.

The books tell readers why did this happen, and how “hope” was betrayed.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, hoping to heal these wounds, was reelected in May 2019 with the ANC hoping to claw back support lost to the opposition in the Zuma era. This book analyses this election, shedding light on voters’ choices, according to a review on goodreads.com.

With chapters on all the major issues at stake — from education to land redistribution — the book offers insights into Africa’s largest and most diversified economy, closely tied to its neighbours’ fortunes.