Shining a light into the darkness at the heart of KZN...
Reading Greg's articulate and sensitive deep dive into a complex and difficult subject I was fShining a light into the darkness at the heart of KZN...
Reading Greg's articulate and sensitive deep dive into a complex and difficult subject I was filled with great sadness. I recognise that so many of these terrible abuses of power and privilege that he chronicles have their roots in the conflicts of the past and the mistakes/misjudgements that we made in our efforts to build a better society for all of South Africa's people. Turning back from the abyss will take courage and leadership and I suspect that it will only be those young south Africans not tainted by the sins of the past, that will be able to put KZN back on a trajectory of peace and prosperity for all its people. A courageous book looking at a most complex problem.......more
Very readable and informative. It is dated now but many of the observations and insights remain relevant to this complex problem and the tragedy of thVery readable and informative. It is dated now but many of the observations and insights remain relevant to this complex problem and the tragedy of the people who inhabit this tortured part of the world. A good read. ...more
A very useful over-view of Ethiopia's recent history and the forces that shaped the current reform process and liberalisation of Ethiopian politics.A very useful over-view of Ethiopia's recent history and the forces that shaped the current reform process and liberalisation of Ethiopian politics....more
A good introduction to the complex issues of Eritrea and it's secretive government. The book was published before the unexpected peace agreement with A good introduction to the complex issues of Eritrea and it's secretive government. The book was published before the unexpected peace agreement with Ethiopia and the opening up of the common border. Reading the book and the many instances of rapid changes of policy and direction one can only speculate as to how this new found accommodation with Ethiopia will play out?...more
A poignant reminder about the importance of "uncomfortable truths" and the value of freedom.A poignant reminder about the importance of "uncomfortable truths" and the value of freedom....more
Fascinating information about traditional land-use practices to manage soil and fertility by the Luguru and the conflict between traditional communitiFascinating information about traditional land-use practices to manage soil and fertility by the Luguru and the conflict between traditional communities and colonial authorities over land and management of natural resources. ...more
I am very seldom left speechless after reading a book but tonight I can only say that even if a quarter of what is contained in this litany of misdeedI am very seldom left speechless after reading a book but tonight I can only say that even if a quarter of what is contained in this litany of misdeeds is true then ....... The attempt to ban it by the South African state has catapulted it to one of the fastest selling books on Kindle....more
Wow, what an eye opener. I remember reading this book for the first time in the early 80's (it was published in 1977) and being really impressed with Wow, what an eye opener. I remember reading this book for the first time in the early 80's (it was published in 1977) and being really impressed with Wassenaar's critique of the toxic mix of nationalism and socialism that characterised National Party rule in South Africa. A re-read in 2015 is an eerie experience, so many of the core criticisms levelled at the government of the day are directly applicable to the current government! It left me with a great sense of sadness and the realisation that not only did the Apartheid ideology and its implementation create massive injustice and suffering but worse, its legacy includes letting its successors off the hook on so many levels. They are simply not held accountable for perpetuating and replicating the terrible mistakes of the failed socialism of the National Party. A real tragedy unfolding. ...more
A frustrating book - brilliance marred by sloppy research and lazy analysis. Could have been so much better at peeling this onion! Tales of betrayal aA frustrating book - brilliance marred by sloppy research and lazy analysis. Could have been so much better at peeling this onion! Tales of betrayal always end in tears. The complete failure to address the impact of life experiences while in exile on the choices made is incomprehensible given the effort put into unravelling other influences on Sedibe. An ambitious book tackling a very difficult subject. ...more
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