A Legacy of Liberation Thabo Mbeki and the Future of the South African Dream

by Gevisser, Mark

• ISBN13: 9780230619999
• ISBN10: 0230619991
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-06-08
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary

In this gripping social history of South Africa, award winning journalist Mark Gevisser follows the family of former South African President Thabo Mbeki to make sense of the struggle's legacy and understand the future of the country under new President Jacob Zuma. With unparalleled access to Mbeki and Zuma, as well as other key players in the ANC, Gevisser presents an intimate yet accessible account of South Africa's past, present and future. With his stunning account of the Mbeki family's history as a backdrop, Gevisser fleshes out the very human elements of a monumental period in world history that will continue to shape African politics for years to come.

Author Biography

Mark Gevisser is an award-winning journalist who has written for The New York Times, The Nation, London's The Guardian, and South Africa's Sunday Times and Mail & Guardian. He was educated at Yale University. He is currently Writer-in-Residence at the University of Pretoria and lives in France and South Africa.

Table of Contents

Author's Note on the Text	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction: Thabo Mbeki and the South African Dream Deferred	p. 1
The Mbekis: "The Jews of Kaffirland"	p. 12
The Moeranes: Chekhov in the Transkei	p. 19
The New Africans	p. 25
Mbewuleni: "A Place of Seed"	p. 33
Family	p. 40
Queenstown: The African Springtime Orchestra	p. 47
Lovedale: "Africa's Best and Brightest"	p. 50
Fatherhood	p. 58
Johannesburg: Fringe Country	p. 66
Becoming a Communist: "An Honour Bestowed upon Me"	p. 74
Into Exile	p. 78
Sussex Man	p. 85
Favorite Son	p. 96
Swinging London: Old Left, New Left	p. 106
Moscow Man	p. 116
"Not Quite Home": Lusaka and Marriage	p. 124
Swaziland: Front Line	p. 133
Govan and Epainette	p. 141
The Disappearance of Jama Mbeki	p. 150
Nigeria: "The Real Africa"	p. 157
The National Interferer	p. 165
Party Man	p. 174
The Diplomat	p. 181
The Seducer	p. 189
Parallel Paths to Power	p. 199
Reunions	p. 208
Coming Home	p. 214
Sidelining	p. 225
Into Power	p. 234
Transition: The Battle Over the Economy	p. 246
The Arms Deal: South Africa's Poisoned Well	p. 256
Mandela and Mbeki: "One Good Native"	p. 261
Mbeki and AIDS: "Yes, We Are Diseased!"	p. 276
Mbeki and Zimbabwe: "Red-Telephone Diplomacy"	p. 297
Home	p. 305
Epilogue: Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, and the Future of the South African Dream	p. 320
Notes	p. 346
Bibliographical Notes	p. 366
Index	p. 369
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