Book Review by Nomalungelo "Kufundwa Ngamava" Minazana Dana

 This is a novel happening in the rural areas in the Eastern Cape in Qumbu. The two boys raised in one family are lucky to be educated as teachers but only one gets the job and the other goes to the army overseas. The novel talks of their experiences in their different careers. At the end they both quit teaching and the army and become business men who help the whole community.

Book Review by Nonkqubela "Good Morning Mr Mandela" by Zelda la Grange

It is a book about how Mandela was ill-treated by his own family. It reflects how his family didn’t recognise Graca’s marriage with him. It is full of untold stories about Mandela.

Book Review by Clayton D "An Imperfect Blessing" by Nadia Davids

The book is written by a Capetonian living in London. Didn’t enjoy the book. Too much information written in a squatter style. Recommended to historical readers.

Book Review by Rouvaun "Thirteen Cents" by Sello K Duiker

Very short story but difficult to read. It is written from the perspective of a 12 year old boy. Heart-breaking and graphic scenes. The book gives a good insight of people living on the streets and how they survive.

Book Review by Michelle "The Mall" by S.L Grey

Science Fiction horror, written by Sarah Lutz and Louis Greenberg. Part of a trilogy. Two narrators tell their stories. Rhoda, a junkie who loses a child at the mall – and Dan who works at the bookshop. While looking for the child they stumble into a parallel universe under the mall. Highly recommended.

21 MARCH - HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Human Rights Day officially declared a public holiday in 1994

Picture by SABC

THE SHARPEVILLE MASSACRE

On Monday, 21 March in 1960 police opened fire, without order, on a crowd that had gathered at the Sharpeville station to protest pass laws, stipulations that required Africans to carry books and produce them for law enforcement officials on request; 69 unarmed people were killed and another 180 were injured.  

While little is known about what really sparked this tragic event, Joe Tlholoe, one of the nation's most acclaimed journalists who was a high school pupil at the time, recalled that the Pan Africanist Congress – under the leadership of Robert Sobukwe – appealed to all African men to take a stand against such a humiliating law, leave their pass books (also known as the dompas) at home, go to their nearest police station and demand to be incarcerated for not carrying the demeaning document. The police then, upon seeing the masses of people marching, opened fire on the crowd in a state of fear.

Today, the South African constitution protects individual rights, like the right to move freely without a pass book, with its inclusion of the Bill of Rights (only a supermajority of Parliament can influence any changes to the bill), and citizens are entitled to basic human dignity and more in the country’s current democracy.

BY CAPETOWNMAGAZINE.COM

Book Review by Elsa

 

Six friends attend a music festival in the Cederberg. Only five come back. For her seventeenth birthday Demi Crowley invites her five closest friends to join her at a music festival for a party to end all parties. But what was supposed to be the night of their lives soon becomes a nightmare none of them will ever forget.

 

Sharp Edges is a topsy-turvy tale of love, loss and friendship that will stay with you long after the final page has been turned, and leaves you questioning what you really know about your friends

Book Review by Craig V "The Shining Girls" by Lauren Beukes

 The Shining Girls is a sci-fi/thriller novel set in Chicago, following a time-travelling serial killer and his next supposed victim. He fails to kill her, and as he closes in to finish his job, she investigates him and hunts him back.

Book Review by Chris "A Man of Good Hope" by Jonny Steinberg

The story of Asad Abdullahi from Somalia as told by the author. Asad’s escape during unrest in the 1990’s from his hometown, Mogadishu and ultimately settling in Blikkiesdorp in Cape Town. “What an adventure!” That’s how I would rephrase the title.

Book Review by Clayton O "Philida" by Andre Brink

The story of black slaves taking us back to 19^th Century. Good read story set in Cape Town North.

Book Review by Lindikhaya "Nervous Conditions" by Tsitsi Dangarembga

The story is told through the young lady, called Tambu. What the writer is trying to do is to tell and narrate the suffering that this young lady goes through. Cultural and racial oppression are some of the problems she is faced with.

Book Review by Nabeweya "Thirteen Cents" by Sello K Duiker

Through the eyes of Azure, a thirteen year old, Cape Town (The Real City) is experienced quite graphically. Destruction is the order of the day!

Book Review by Deirdre "Cry the beloved country" by Alan Paton

 A deeply moving, poignant and lyrical story of forgiveness and hope that leaves a lasting impression. A worldwide success since its publication in 1948, the novel has been filmed twice and turned into a successful Broadway musical.

Book Review by Mario "Bidsprinkaan" by Andre Brink

A deceptively easy read. The novel focuses on a clash of cultures and the gradual oppression of a nation. It focuses on religion as a tool utilised to supress native populations. A deceptive biography. Awesome and highly recommended for adults.

Book Review by Stacey "7 Steps to Heaven" by Fred Khumalo

Masterful story-telling by award-winning author, Sizwe Dube, is now a well-known journalist, in despair over witnessing the murder by the firing squad of his childhood friend, Thulani, in Zimbabwe. The book is divided into current scenes and memories of their shared childhood
 
 

 

Book Review by Craig F "Vatmaar" by A.M.H Scholtz

An earthy, to the point tale of life in a coloured township in the early 1920’s.  It has tragedy, some happiness and feels true to life.

 

Book Review by Tania "The Mall" by S.L. Grey

The Mall, set in contemporary Johannesburg, is a disturbing adventure set in a shopping centre with a rotten secret. Rhoda has lost a child – literally misplaced him while she went to see her dealer. Dan may be the last person who has seen the boy. After closing time these two characters are drawn into a dangerous game that will change their lives forever. Warnings for profanity and a general feeling of, “okay…what just happened?”

Book Review by Kaylene "Apocalypse Now Now" by Charlie Human

Apocalypse Now Now, is set in modern day Cape Town, as well as a magical underground version of Cape Town. The book is about 16 year old Baxter, who is the leader of a pornography distribution ring at his school.  The story starts with Baxter’s girlfriend, Esme, going missing. It goes on to explore the magical world, where time travel, being a Seer, and monsters are real. The  book is very dark and fast paced.