Podcast appearances and mentions of jonathan ball publishers

In this episode of Pagecast, Jeremy Boraine sits down with acclaimed author James Whyle to discuss his latest literary work, We Two From Heaven. In this conversation they touch on the creative process, the themes that shaped the book, and the profound narratives woven throughout this remarkable work. Don't miss this insightful conversation that bridges literature and life. Whether you're a devoted reader or a curious listener, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the story behind the story. More about the book: We Two from Heaven is a singular memoir, a four-part fugue on the tricks and traps of memory, a shuffling of the cards of time. Episodes from the early life of writer James Whyle are interwoven with the letters of his father from the Western Front during the First World War. Their formative experiences – war, conscription, injury, desertion – flash by, juxtaposed, as if in counterpoint. How do we know who we are? Upending the reader's expectations of a memoir, Whyle then explores the violence and madness of apartheid society as the narrator passes through boarding school and university and takes his first steps to become a writer. Raw and rhythmic, lyrical and caustic, this is an unsparing, formally inventive dissection of human vanities and illusions. At the end of history, on the shores of a blue bay, the voices of the past can be heard as we await the arrival of the barbarians – or the baboons, whoever comes first. More about James and Jeremy: James Whyle grew up in the Amatole Mountains in South Africa. Conscripted into the apartheid army, he was discharged on the grounds of insanity. He did everything in his power to assist the authorities in arriving at this diagnosis. The resulting play, National Madness, won an Amstel Playwright of the Year merit award in 1982. His story, The Story, was chosen by JM Coetzee as winner of the 2011 Pen/Studzinski competition. The Book of War, a novel, won the M-Net Lit Prize for best debut in 2012. Jeremy Boraine is Publishing Director at Jonathan Ball Publishers. #Pagecast #JamesWhyle #WeTwoFromHeaven #JeremyBorraine #BookPodcast #AuthorInterview #LiteraryDiscussion #JonathanBallPublishers #PodcastLovers #CreativeWriting

Join us as three of South Africa's top publishers; Penguin Random House, Jonathan Ball Publishers and Pan Macmillan tell us about what they've got on their bookshelves this month. And Exclusive Books tell us what's flying off of their shelves. An hour of fine music and fine book recommendations.

Book Choice Publishers' Choice with Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan and Jonathan Ball Publishers telling us what they've got coming out in March plus info on The Books on The Bay Festival in Simon's Town.

This week on Pagecast, Ndizwanga Nemanashi is in conversation with Dudu Nhlabathi-Madonsela about her book, The Dating Playbook. You can look forward to hearing Dudu answer all your burning questions about dating, love and desire. MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: Dating is an extreme sport and no one survives it unscathed. But to find The One, you must get back in the game and keep at it. And like other extreme sports, the odds get better if you find the right coach. The Dating Playbook is a sobering, matter-of-fact guide to navigating the dating scene, or mjolo as it is colloquially called. Known as the Peaceful One on TikTok, popular dating coach Dudu Nhlabathi-Madonsela is no stranger to teaching people how to win at mjolo and at love. Dudu's teachings include advice on online dating etiquette, practical flirting and seduction techniques, as well as tips for measuring your progress. She also explains how location, politics, socioeconomic issues and upbringing inform who and how we date. With an emphasis on understanding yourself first and being honest about what you want at various stages of your life, Dudu helps readers face the harsh realities of modern-day dating and shows them how to find their footing in the dating scene. In an era where you can be exposed to anything from a hobosexual to a high-value narcissist, she can safely say your mother's advice just won't do. Whether you are dating or in a relationship, Dudu's considered advice will show you the way. MORE ABOUT DUDU AND NDIZWANGA: Dudu Nhlabathi-Madonsela also known as ‘The Peaceful One' on social media, is a witty and straight-talking dating coach who tackles social issues, particularly relating to relationships and black family dynamics. She provides regular commentary on local radio and TV stations on relationship matters. Dudu holds multiple degrees and pivoted from being a banker to a healthcare strategist with an MBA in healthcare innovation. She aims to build one black family at a time by fostering deep conversations about how our history as a country, social issues, and social conditions impact our interpersonal relationships. Ndizwanga Nemanashi is the marketing manager at Jonathan Ball Publishers, where she spends her days creating campaigns that connect readers to books they will enjoy. She is a professional bookworm with a deep love for people, good food, great music, and the perfect cup of tea. #SupportLocalAuthors #BookLovers #BookDiscussion #PodcastForReaders #SouthAfricanAuthor #southafricanpodcast #podcastseries #Dating #newepisode #DatingAdvice #LoveTalk #RelationshipGoals

We're joined on this show by Penguin Random House, Jonathan Ball Publishers and Pan Macmillan and Exclusive Books, with their segments on World Read Aloud Day, upcoming treats, blind dates with books and whether award winning books are everything they're (spine) cracked up to be.

Welcome to Pagecast, the podcast by Jonathan Ball Publishers that brings books to life! This festive season, we're stepping into the world of booksellers to uncover the stories behind the stories. Join us as we explore Johannesburg's literary scene, hearing directly from the experts – the booksellers themselves – about their top recommendations for the holidays. Whether you're searching for the perfect gift or your next great read, we've got you covered. Let's dive into the world of words and wonders!

Welcome to Pagecast, the podcast by Jonathan Ball Publishers that brings books to life! This festive season, we're stepping into the world of bookstagrammers to uncover the stories behind the stories. Bookstagram is a community of book lovers on social media that share their love for all types of reads! Whether you're searching for the perfect gift or your next great read, we've got you covered. Let's dive into the world of words and wonders!

It's our last chance to share our list of must-reads for this festive season, with suggestions from Penguin Random House SA, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Pan Macmillan and Exclusive Books. Click play to hear some great suggestions.

Welcome to Book Choice Publishers Choice with Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan and Jonathan Ball Publishers. Plus a review of A Library to Flee, by Etienne Van Heerden and a review of Grootbos Florilegium.

3 of South Africa's top publishers; Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan and Jonathan Ball Publishers, and South Africa's favourite bookseller, Exclusive Books, join us to tell us what great reads you can expect on their shelves this October.

A 10-minute podcast of books full of hope and healing for World Mental Health Day, brought to you by Mpumi Mgidlana, publicist at Jonathan Ball Publishers.

In this episode of Pagecast at Open Book Cape Town, we're excited to dive into the vibrant world of the Open Book Festival—a celebration of South African literature within an international context. Each year, the festival brings together a diverse range of voices, offering readers and writers alike the opportunity to connect with thought-provoking stories, groundbreaking ideas, and inspiring authors. In this special episode, Jonathan Ball Publishers' Publicity Manager, Jean-Marie Korff, sits down with Mervyn Sloman, the owner of the beloved indie bookshop, The Book Lounge, and the director of Open Book. Mervyn shares insights into the festival's journey, its role in cultivating a thriving literary community, and the challenges and triumphs that have shaped Open Book into one of the most anticipated events on the literary calendar. Join us as we explore the festival's evolution, its impact on South African literature, and the powerful narratives that continue to captivate audiences. Whether you're a longtime festival attendee or a first-time visitor, Open Book Cape Town offers an unforgettable literary experience, bringing stories that shape the world closer to home.

Welcome to Pagecast at Open Book Cape Town, a special edition of the regular podcast brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Usually, we explore the latest in literature year-round, but today, we're coming to you straight from the heart of the Open Book Festival—Cape Town's annual celebration of South African literature in an international context. In these festival-exclusive episodes, we sit down with some of the most inspiring voices in literature to delve into their stories, insights, and the powerful narratives that shape our world. Let's dive into the pages together! In this episode, we are joined by the acclaimed Niq Mhlongo, born in 1973 in Soweto. Niq's debut novel, Dog Eat Dog, was published by Kwela in 2004 and later translated into Spanish as Perro Come Perro in 2006, earning the Mar des Lettras prize. Beyond his novels and short stories, Niq has contributed as a screenwriter for the animated children's TV series Magic Cellar and created scripts for the comic magazine Mshana, which debuted in 2007. His most recent novel, The City is Mine, was published in 2024. Join us as we explore Niq's incredible body of work, his creative journey, and the storytelling that continues to resonate with readers around the world.

Welcome to Pagecast at Open Book Cape Town, a special edition of the regular podcast brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. While we usually explore the latest in literature throughout the year, in this episode we're broadcasting directly from the Open Book Festival—Cape Town's annual celebration of South African literature in an international context. In these festival-exclusive episodes, we sit down with some of the most inspiring voices in literature to dive deep into their stories, insights, and the powerful narratives that shape our world. Let's journey into the pages together! In this episode, Jonathan Ball Publishers Publicity Manager Jean-Marie Korff sits down with the phenomenal Qarnita Loxton. After studying law at the University of Cape Town and graduating in 1997, Qarnita worked as an attorney, primarily in the financial services sector. More recently, she transitioned into the field of executive coaching, bringing a fresh perspective to her work. Qarnita's literary career began in 2017 with the release of her debut novel, Being Kari. She followed it with Being Lily, Being Shelley, and Being Dianne, captivating readers with her nuanced storytelling. She is also the co-author of Chasing Marion, written alongside Amy Heydenrych, Pamela Power, and Gail Schimmel. Her most recent novel, What's Wrong with June, was published in 2024. Join us as we explore Qarnita's writing journey, the evolution of her characters, and the themes that resonate through her work.

Welcome to Pagecast at Open Book Cape Town, a special edition of the regular podcast brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. While we usually explore the latest in literature throughout the year, in this episode we're broadcasting directly from the Open Book Festival—Cape Town's annual celebration of South African literature in an international context. In these festival-exclusive episodes, we sit down with some of the most inspiring voices in literature to dive deep into their stories, insights, and the powerful narratives that shape our world. Let's journey into the pages together! In this episode, Jonathan Ball Publishers Publicity Manager Jean-Marie Korff sits down with Lesedi Molefi, a Soweto-born writer, documentary filmmaker, photographer, and entrepreneur. Lesedi's work spans multiple disciplines, capturing the essence of South African stories through various mediums. As a storyteller with a unique perspective, he uses his creative talents to shine a light on the complexities and beauty of everyday life in South Africa. Join us as we explore Lesedi's creative journey, his approach to storytelling across different forms, and the narratives that have shaped his remarkable career.

Welcome to Pagecast at Open Book Cape Town, a special edition of the regular podcast brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Usually, we explore the latest in literature year-round, but in this episode, we're coming to you straight from the heart of the Open Book Festival—Cape Town's annual celebration of South African literature in an international context. In these festival-exclusive episodes, we sit down with some of the most inspiring voices in literature to delve into their stories, insights, and the powerful narratives that shape our world. Let's dive into the pages together! In this episode, Jonathan Ball Publishers Publicity Manager Jean-Marie Korff sits down with the talented Shubnum Khan, a South African author and artist. Her debut novel, Onion Tears, was shortlisted for both the Penguin Prize for African Writing and the University of Johannesburg Debut Prize for Writing in English. Shubnum holds a Master's degree in English and has earned several prestigious literary fellowships, including the Octavia Butler Fellow at Jack Jones Literary Arts and the Mellon Fellowship at Stellenbosch University. When she's not travelling, Shubnum resides in Durban, where she writes and draws for a living. Join us as we explore Shubnum's literary journey, creative process, and the stories that have shaped her remarkable career.

Welcome to Pagecast at Open Book Cape Town, a special edition of the regular podcast brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Usually, we explore the latest in literature year-round, but in this episode, we're coming to you straight from the heart of the Open Book Festival—Cape Town's annual celebration of South African literature in an international context. In these festival-exclusive episodes, we sit down with some of the most inspiring voices in literature to delve into their stories, insights, and the powerful narratives that shape our world. Let's dive into the pages together! In this episode, we chat with the phenomenal Gothataone Moeng, author of the short story collection Call and Response. Gothataone was interviewed by Nompumelelo Mgidlana, Publicist at Jonathan Ball Publishers. Join us as we explore the powerful themes and voices that define her work.

For all the best books in the hood, or perhaps the shelf, join host, Paige Nick and publishers, Penguin Random House SA, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Pan Macmillan and Exclusive Books to find out what they're publishing this September.

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Pagecast, presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Today's episode is an incredibly special one, as the Mayor of Cape Town - Geordin Hill-Lewis is in conversation with South African award winning documentary filmmaker, naturalist, and founder of the Sea Change Project - Craig Foster. Craig's latest book - Amphibious Soul: Finding the Wild in a Tame World is a thrilling memoir of a life spent exploring the most incredible places on Earth—from the Great African Seaforest to the crocodile lairs of the Okavango Delta— Craig reveals how we can attend to the earthly beauty around us and deepen our love for all living things, whether we make our homes in the country, the city, or anywhere in between. Enjoy!

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Pagecast, presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Today's episode features Killer Stories - Conversations with South African serial murderers! ‘If you made me angry, for that anger to go away, I have to get hold of you . . . I have to do something to you.' These chilling words were spoken by one of South Africa's most feared serial killers during an interview with Brin Hodgs-kiss in one of the country's most secure prisons. Hodgskiss earned his doctorate in psychology through a study based on interviews with thirteen serial killers. His recordings remained untouched until recently, when top true-crime podcaster Nicole Engelbrecht discovered his paper online. This led to the creation of Killer Stories. Killer Stories intertwines the killers' accounts, the true-crime events behind them, and Hodgskiss's own journey as a psychologist, leading to a profound understanding of these complex minds. In this episide Brinn and Nicole chat to one another regarding their love of True Crime, psychology and the process that went into creating this book. Enjoy!

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Pagecast, presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Today's episode features We Were Perfect Parents Until We Had Children by Vanessa Raphaely and Karin Schimke Having kids is a baffling endeavour beset with sulk, meltdowns, anxiety and disappointment and that's just the parents! When you get that call to the principal's office? When the school acceptances don't come? When the bedroom door slams and you hear your child sobbing behind it? All awful but it's also a precious time, both hellishly challenging and full of joy. The trick? To find a way to enjoy our families, love our children and believe in them. And laugh . . . In this book, Vanessa Raphaely and Karin Schimke have gathered together experiences and insights from The Village members. These are the gems and remedies from the real parenting experts, the parents to help you raise your family in your own perfectly imperfect way. In this episide Vanessa is in conversation with CapeTalk radio host and parent of two, Lester Kiewit. Enjoy!

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Pagecast, presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Today's episode features Crash and Burn by Glenn Orsmond. This insider's tale, narrated by Glenn Orsmond, chronicles the South African airline industry over the past thirty years, highlighting the dramatic collapse of Comair in 2022. Orsmond, twice the CEO of Comair and founder CEO of 1time, guides readers through the fiercely competitive low-cost airline sector that surged after the 1990s. Comair, operating Kulula and British Airways, and 1time led this wave, transforming domestic flying and tourism. Despite a 75-year profit history, Comair fell due to the pandemic, regulatory issues, and poor management decisions. Expect stories of industry legends, innovations, fierce competition, pilot-accountant conflicts, union-boss disputes, and shareholder-director battles. In this episode, Glenn engages in a captivating conversation with David O'Sullivan, Broadcaster, Writer and Media Consultant. Enjoy!

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Pagecast, presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Today's episode features Rhodes and His banker by Richard Steyn. *Rhodes and his Banker* is an account of the remarkable friendship between a larger-than-life historical figure and a modest, unassuming banker, both of whom were personally involved in all the major political and financial developments in Southern Africa during the closing decades of the 19th century. Intertwining dual narratives of Cecil John Rhodes as rapacious entrepreneur with the Standard Bank under Sir Lewis Michell tiptoeing in his wake to become the biggest bank in Africa, Steyn recounts how colonialism and capitalism took root in South Africa and Rhodesia. In this episode, Richard engages in an lovely conversation with strategist, media specialist and writer, David Gorin. Enjoy!

Thank you for tuning into this episode of Pagecast, presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Today's episode features Gaslight by Femi Kayode. In this follow-up to Kayode's "action-packed and spirited debut" Philip Taiwo returns to solve a missing-persons case, and in so doing, uncovers dark secrets the church has worked tirelessly to hide. From the very first chapter, Femi Kayode's Gas Light immerses you in a world brimming with drama, psychological twists, and intrigue. Kayode's storytelling is both thrilling and imaginative, leaving readers eagerly anticipating each turn. The novel explores the paradox of a Forbes-celebrated pastor-bishop who operates in the nexus of old and new wealth, yet faces severe public scrutiny. As tensions rise and suspicions grow, the question remains: in a world where so many feel uneasy, who or what is truly to blame? In this episode, Femi engages in an lovely conversation with Dr Wamuwi Mbao — writer, essayist and English Lecturer at Stellenbosch University. Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  Todays episode features the phenomenal Justin Fox chatting about his latest book - The Wolf Hunt. The Wolf Hunt is the second book in the thrilling Jack Pembroke series, each of which is a stand-alone story. In this book - Lieutenant Jack Pembroke moves from England to South Africa, where he commands an anti-submarine flotilla in Cape Town. He must quickly prepare his men for Nazi U-boats threatening the vital Cape convoy route during World War II. With Rommel's forces active in North Africa, this sea route is crucial for Allied supplies. The enemy, led by kapitan Wolfgang Brand, also carries a South African spy intent on sabotage. Jack's mission to escort a convoy to Durban while evading U-boats becomes a tense cat-and-mouse game, pushing him and his men to their limits in "The Wolf Hunt." In this episode, Justin is in conversation with novellist and lecturer Dr Ronald Irwin. Enjoy!

In this episode of Pagecast, Cato Pedder, author of Moederland: Nine Daughters of South Africa, is in conversation with Maryam Adams, Publicist at Jonathan Ball Publishers. About the book: Moederland: Nine Daughters of South Africa is a fascinating, unflinching and forensic work of non-fiction by Cato Pedder, the great-granddaughter of Jan Smuts, the South African prime minister responsible for heralding the age of apartheid. Moederland is a courageous and modern appraisal of what it means to be descended from the people who created the ultra-racist apartheid system in South Africa. Illuminating its turbulent history through the lives of her female ancestors, it is a history of South Africa like no other, told from the perspective of women long silenced in the historical narrative. It asks, what were they doing while white supremacy was constructed? In Moederland, Pedder travels the centuries from the 1600s, when Cape Town was a remote outpost of the Dutch East India Company, to the kraal of a Zulu king in the 1800s before doubling back to Europe and then culminating with the English Quaker aunt who defies apartheid to marry across the colour line. As anti-racist campaigners call out the statue of Jan Smuts in Parliament Square, Cato painstakingly excavates the long-forgotten life stories of the women of her prehistory, unpacking the legacy of her Afrikaans heritage and bringing their collective shame into the light. Moederland brilliantly sits at the borderline between personal history and memoir, and shares themes with The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal, The Wife's Tale by Aida Edemariam and Maybe Esther by Katja Petrowskaja, both of which use unknown forebears to throw new light on the troubled past. It will also appeal to readers of Damon Galgut's Booker Prize winning novel, The Promise. About the author: Cato Pedder was born into the Quaker Clark shoe family and is a former newspaper reporter with 15 years of experience in South Africa and the UK, including at the Johannesburg Star and The Sun. She graduated from Cambridge University in English Literature and holds further degrees in African Studies from SOAS and Creative Writing from Kingston University, where she won the academic prize. She is a published poet, was born in California and brought up in England. She has lived in South Africa and returns there regularly.

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  Todays episode features the phenomenal Kobby Ben Ben chatting about - No One Dies Yet. A genre-breaking novel from a powerful new African voice. 2019. The Year of the Return. It has been exactly 400 years since the first slave ships left Ghana for America. Ghana has now opened its doors to Black diasporans, encouraging them to return and get to know the land of their ancestors. Elton, Vincent, and Scott arrive from America to visit preserved sites from the transatlantic slave route, and to explore the country's underground queer scene. Their activities are narrated by their two combative guides: Kobby, their guide to Accra's privileged circles; and Nana, the voice of tradition and religious principle. The pair's tense relationship sets the tone for what becomes a shocking and unsettling tale of murder that is at times funny, at times erotic, yet always outspoken and iconoclastic. In this episode, Kobby is in conversation with Lethabo Mailula, an academic at law, society and politics commentator and a cultural production critic Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  Today's episode features the the remarkable Cecelia Ahern - speaking about her book In a thousand different ways. Alice Kelly's been given a gift, though if you were to ask Alice about it, she wouldn't describe it as a gift….she'd call it a curse. Since the age of 8 years old, Alice has been able to see people's feelings. That is the basis of Cecelia Ahern's latest wonderful offering…. In this epsiode of Pagecast, Cecelia is in conversation with Samantha Herbst, ‍ Writer. Editor. Content Creator. Enjoy!

In this captivating discussion, Pagecast host Maryam Adams engages in a thought-provoking conversation with the remarkable Ryan Blumenthal. Ryan is a seasoned forensic pathologist with over twenty years of experience in the field, based in South Africa. His book, Autopsy: Life in the Trenches with a Forensic Pathologist in Africa, published by Jonathan Ball Publishers in August 2020, became a non-fiction bestseller in South Africa. Ryan also gained widespread recognition through his eight-part documentary, Lightning Pathologist, which aired on People's Weather (Channel 180) on DStv, attracting over 2.2 million viewers. Join us as we explore Ryan's latest book, Risking Life for Death, which delves into Locard's Exchange Principle and the daily dangers faced by forensic pathologists. Ryan shares his experiences and insights from his fascinating career. Don't miss this enlightening episode as Ryan discusses his participation in the panel, When the Dead Speak, with Sunday Times Books online editor Mila De Villiers and fellow forensic expert Hestelle van Staden. They provide a unique glimpse into the world of forensic pathology and what it's like to see dead people. Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  Today's episode features the the remarkable Beverley Roos-Muller - speaking about her latest book Hunting the Seven. Never have seven people been so hunted. By assassins. By journalists, lawyers and activists in search of the truth and TRC investigators wanting justice for the victims' families. In 1986, seven young men were shot and killed by police in Gugulethu in Cape Town. The nation was told they were a ‘terrorist' MK cell, which was plotting an attack on a police unit. An inquest followed, then a dramatic trial in 1987 and another inquest in 1989. Finally, the fact that Eugene de Kock's Vlakplaas unit plotted and drove the operation was revealed at the Truth and Reconciliation ten years after the murders, but Vlakplaas's real agenda remained shrouded in mystery. In *Hunting the Seven*, Beverley Roos-Muller tells the story of the Gugulethu Seven and the hunt for the truth of their deaths. She reveals that it was Vlakplaas's only operation in the Western Cape and was an elaborate, deadly scheme designed to keep the money rolling into the death squad's slush fund. In this epsiode of Pagecast, Beverley is in conversation with Award-winning journalist, Beauregard Tromp, the Africa editor of the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  Today's episode features the phenomenal Nozibele Mayaba, who bares it all in the her memior, Postively Me - Daring To Live And Love Beyond HIV, co-authored with Sue Nyathi. Born in Qgeberha in the 1990s, popular Aids activist Nozibele Mayaba's upbringing was one of struggle and strife. She was raised by the tough hand of her mother in the confines of a strict Christian household. Nozibele strove to be the “good girl” that everyone adores to win her mother's approval and the affection of her absent father. She lived by the book and was steered by her faith. Hers becomes a life of firsts. She is the first person in her family to travel overseas. The first to graduate from university. It is also her first love, with his infectious smile that infected her with HIV. This diagnosis throws her life into disarray. Fearing stigma and feeling the need to maintain her “good girl” image, she kept her status a secret. However, she soon succumbed to depression. It is in the aftermath, when she picks up the broken pieces of her life that she finds purpose in all the pain she has endured. She went public with her story in a video that when viral and launched her onto a new path. Nozibele, who has since gotten married and recently became a mother, has made it her mission to hold open conversations about her journey living with HIV. Told with gut wrenching honesty, Nozibele is at her most vulnerable in this brave account about what it means to live and love beyond HIV. In this epsiode of Pagecast, Nozibele is in conversation with seasoned media practitioner Sebenzile Nkambule. Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  From award-winning non-fiction writer Hedley Twidle comes Show Me the Place, an essay collection searching through history, memory and literature to find glimmers of utopia. The collection is a book of elsewheres; in it, the author charts a journey to find other liveable places and spaces in a troubled world. Whether embarking on a bizarre quest to find Cecil Rhodes's missing nose (sliced off the bust of the Rhodes Memorial) or bike-packing the Scottish islands with a couple of squabbling anarchists; whether learning to surf (much too late) in the wild, freezing waters off the Cape Peninsula or navigating the fraught politics of a Buddhist retreat centre – the author explores forgotten utopias, intentional communities and islands of imagination with curiosity, hope and humour. Threaded through the pieces in this collection are questions of friendship and human community, of environmental destruction and repair, of landscape and memory. In this episode, Hedley is in conversation with Mila de Villiers - Sunday Times Books digital editor. Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  Today's podcast features the Jonathan Ancer and his latest book Bullshit: 50 Fibs That Made South Africa. An outrageous miscellany of lies, myths, untruths, fibs and fabrications that tell the woeful history of South Africa. Aimed at offending and entertaining everyone in equal measure, this will have South Africans sniggering and spluttering into their porridge. It will also pique their curiosity. The lies come thick and fast, like a burst sewerage pipe. Way, way back the Europeans ‘discovered' southern Africa and found a land that was largely uninhabited. Um, no. On the other hand, Africa was a paradise before the settlers pulled in. Not quite! Back in the darkest of ages (the 1970s!), citizens were told that there were Satanic messages if you played The Beatles songs backwards. During the civil war in Angola, there were no South African troops in that country. National icon Hansie Cronje was a paragon of virtue and integrity … until he wasn't. President Nelson Mandela told us that we, as a nation, were ‘special'. Turns out we aren't. Jonathan Ancer has written, after consulting with historians and barflies, a fascinating and witty collection of the lies we've been told – and the lies we tell ourselves. In this episode, Jonathan is in conversation with Rebecca Davis, Senior Journalist at the Daily Maverick and author. Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  Today's podcast features the remarkable Karen Horn speaking about Prisoners of Jan Smuts Equally skilled in different trades than in the art of love, the Italian prisoners-of-war who were incarcerated in South Africa during the Second World War are a source of great fascination to this day. The first Italian POWs arrived in the Union of South Africa in early 1941, most of them being held in Zonderwater Camp outside Cullinan or in work camps across the country. The government of Jan Smuts saw them as a source of cheap labour that would contribute to harvesting schemes, road-building projects such as the old Du Toit's Kloof Pass between Paarl and Worcester and even to prickly-pear eradication schemes. Prisoners of Jan Smuts recounts the stories of survival and shenanigans of the Italian POWs in the Union through the eyes of five prisoners who had documented their experiences in memoirs and letters. Many opted to remain in South Africa once the war had ended, forging quite a legacy. These included sculptor Edoardo Villa, who left an important mark in the local and international art world, and businessman Aurelio Gatti, who built an ice-cream empire whose gelato was to delight generations of South Africans. In this episode, Karen is in conversation with Monique Verduyn author and literary reviewer. Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  Today's podcast features the phenomenal Margie Orford, speaking about her latest book - Love and Fury, a compelling and intimate account of the life, loves and furies. In this brave memoir, the renowned South African crime writer divulges some of the harrowing experiences that have shaped her life and influenced her writing. Through sexual assault, divorce, depression and personal loss, Orford illuminates the trauma she has navigated. Tender and courageous chapters vividly recall memories of what she has been through as a woman, mother, wife, feminist and ambitious writer. Love and Fury shows why trauma in our past can have such an enduring and debilitating effect on women's lives. It also unpacks the healing power of love, creativity, courage and self-reflection, ultimately offering a profound message of hope and joy for any woman who has ever questioned themselves, their trauma and who they are in the world. This book is every woman's love and fury. In this episode, Margie is in conversation with Barbara Boswell, feminist literary scholar and Associate Professor of English at the University of Cape Town. I promise its a chat you will never forget. Enjoy!

Welcome to Book Choice, Publishers' Choice. Today we're joined on the show by three of South Africa's top publishers; Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan and Jonathan Ball Publishers. As well as South Africa's favourite bookseller, Exclusive Books, to tell us what they've got coming out over the next few months. Happy listening and happy reading.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  Today's podcast features Keith Barnes, co- author of Birds of Greater Southern Africa. This spectacular field guide includes all resident, breeding and migrant species found in Greater Southern Africa. Comprising South Africa, Lesotho, eSwatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, Greater Southern Africa is a vast region and home to a truly extraordinary diversity of avifauna. This book describes all 1,170 regularly occurring species that are likely to be encountered in the region, from the Wandering Albatross to the Pennant-winged Nightjar. Featuring 272 colour plates by three of the world's leading bird illustrators. Fully illustrated throughout, this is an essential reference guide for anyone visiting or living in this wildlife-rich area. In this episode of Pagecast Keith is in conversation with Christian Boix, Author at Africa Geographic. Enjoy the chat!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. This episode features Author Adam Welz, speaking about his latest book - The End of Eden Wild Nature in the Age of Climate Breakdown. Typically, discussions on climate change highlight the adverse effects on human societies due to storms, droughts, and sea level rise. Yet, it's the natural world, facing a sixth mass extinction due to ecosystem disruptions and rising temperatures, that bears the brunt of climate breakdown. This has endangered countless species, signalling a rapid loss of the natural world. "The End of Eden" navigates this narrative by offering a unique perspective on the struggles of wild species across diverse ecosystems globally. Through a mix of natural history, firsthand accounts, and modern research, Welz introduces us to the intimate struggles of several species against climate breakdown. This book stands out for its deep research and beautiful prose, aiming to foster a deeper human-nature connection and urging action to protect the natural world. In this episode of Pagecast Welz is in conversation with CapeTalk Afternoon Drive host, John Maytham. Enjoy the episode!

Welcome to another episode of Pagecast brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. This episode delves into Mike Martin's latest book - *How to Fight a War* Has any war in history gone according to plan? Monarchs, dictators and elected leaders alike have a dismal record on military decision-making. This not only wastes the lives of civilians, the enemy and one's own soldiers, but also fails to achieve geopolitical objectives. Conflict scholar and former soldier Mike Martin takes the reader through the hard, elegant logic of fighting a conclusive interstate war that solves geopolitical problems and reduces future conflict. In cool and precise prose, he outlines how to orchestrate military forces, from infantry to information, and strategy to tactics. **It has been described as “An indispensable guide to understanding modern warfare, especially the decisions made by politicians and generals — both good and bad.”** In this episode of Pagecast Mike is joined by Abel Esterhuyse, author and head of the Department of Strategic Studies in the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University, Enjoy the chat!

Welcome to Book Choice, Publishers' Choice. Today we're joined on the show by three of South Africa's top publishers; Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan and Jonathan Ball Publishers. As well as South Africa's favourite bookseller, Exclusive Books, to tell us what they've got coming out over the next few months. Happy listening and happy reading.

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers.  In this episode News24 Books Editor Shaun de Waal is in conversation with Author Siphiwo Mahala about Blame Me On History by Bloke Modisane. Feeling an exile in the country of his birth, the talented journalist and leading black intellectual Bloke Modisane left South Africa in 1959. It was shortly after the apartheid government had bulldozed Sophiatown, the township of his childhood. His biting indictment of apartheid, Blame Me on History, was published in 1963 – and banned shortly afterwards. Modisane offers a harrowing account of the degradation and oppression faced daily by black South Africans. His penetrating observations and insightful commentary paint a vivid picture of what it meant to be black in apartheid South Africa. At the same time, his evocative writing transports the reader back to a time when Sophiatown still teemed with life. This 60th-anniversary edition of Modisane's autobiography serves as an example of passionate resistance to the scourge of racial discrimination in our country and is a reminder not to forget our recent past. Thanks for tuning in, enjoy the chat!

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Pagecast, a podcast series presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode, we're joined by Sewela Langeni, the owner of Book Circle Capital, a bookstore specialising in African Literature. She sits down with Magogodi oaMphela Makhene, the author of the novel Innards, for an engaging discussion. Set in Soweto, the urban heartland of South Africa, Innards tells the intimate stories of everyday black folks processing the savagery of apartheid. Rich with the thrilling textures of township language and life, it braids the voices and perspectives of an unforgettable cast of characters into a breathtaking collection flush with forgiveness, rage, ugliness and beauty. Relax and immerse yourself in this compelling conversation, enjoy it!

This week's book choice is one of our popular Publishers' Choice editions, which means, we'll be joined today by three of South Africa's top publishers, Penguin Random house, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Pan Macmillan Publishers, as well as South Africa's number one Book Seller, Exclusive books, and each of them will introduce us to their current authors, titles, events and news

This week's book choice is one of our popular Publishers' Choice editions, which means, we'll be joined today by three of South Africa's top publishers, Penguin Random house, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Pan Macmillan Publishers, as well as South Africa's number one Book Seller, Exclusive books, and each of them will introduce us to their current authors, titles, events and news

Well hello there book friends, welcome Book Choice, Publishers' Choice, on Fine Music Radio. I'm your host Paige Nick and I'm delighted to bring you this show every month. If you're a regular to the show, then you'll know that every two weeks, we host the Publishers' Choice version of this show. In it we invite three of South Africa's top publishers, Penguin Random house, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Pan Macmillan Publishers, as well as South Africa's number one Book Seller, Exclusive books, to join us on the show, and to each take on a segment where they introduce us to their current authors, titles, events and news. Giving us listeners an inside view into the world of publishing, and often a first look at what's new and hot in the world of publishing right now.

Thanks for tuning Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In today's episode Joanne Lefson and Brandon de Kock chat about Pigcasso - The Painting Pig That Saved a Sanctuary. When Joanne Lefson took on a piglet at her animal shelter, the young sow proceeded to eat everything in her stable but a paint brush. In a flash of inspiration, Joanne attempted to introduce the pig to the art of painting - and thus Pigcasso was born. Starting out with a humble canvas on the sanctuary wall, Pigcasso's paintings are now owned by the likes of George Clooney, she has a Swatch watch design partnership, a wine label, and has eclipsed the previous world record holder for animal art. She's been commissioned by Nissan and has had exhibitions in Cape Town, Munich, and Amsterdam. More than that, Pigcasso's art funds the food and veterinary services for all the animals at the sanctuary. Pigcasso is the story of this unique pig and of the circumstances that brought her and Joanne together to take the art world by storm and form a unique and unbreakable bond. Enjoy the chat!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. Today's book- Coloured by Tessa Dooms and Lynsey Chutel has been selected at News24's book of the month. Coloured as an ethnicity and racial demographic is intertwined in the creation of the South Africa we have today. Yet often, Coloured communities are disdained as people with no clear heritage or culture — ‘not being black enough or white enough.' the book Coloured challenges this notion and presents a different angle to that narrative as it delves into the history of Coloured people as descendants of indigenous Africans and a people whose identity was shaped by colonisation, slavery, and the racial political hierarchy it created. Although rooted in a difficult history, this book is also about the culture that Coloured communities have created for themselves through food, music, and shared lived experiences in communities such as Eldorado Park, Eersterus, and Wentworth. Coloured culture is an act of defiance and resilience.

In this installment of Pagecast, we explore the behind-the-scenes process of creating Jonathan Ball Publishers' inaugural audiobook, "Children of Sugarcane" by Joanne Joseph. Bringing this compelling narrative to life is the talented South African actress and storyteller, Roshina Ratnam, who serves as the narrator. In our discussion, Joanne and Roshina provide insights into the audiobook's production journey and delve into the creative techniques Roshina employed to vividly convey the story's essence. About the book: Vividly set against the backdrop of 19th century India and the British-owned sugarcane plantations of Natal, written with great tenderness and lyricism, Children of Sugarcane paints an intimate and wrenching picture of indenture told from a woman's perspective. Shanti, a bright teenager stifled by life in rural India and facing an arranged marriage, dreams that South Africa is an opportunity to start afresh. The Colony of Natal is where Shanti believes she can escape the poverty, caste, and troubling fate of young girls in her village. Months later, after a harrowing sea voyage, she arrives in Natal only to discover the profound hardship and slave labour that await her. Spanning four decades and two continents, Children of Sugarcane demonstrates the life-giving power of love, heartache, and the indestructible bonds between family and friends. These bonds prompt heroism and sacrifice, the final act of which leads to Shanti's redemption.

In this episode of Pagecast, Nicole Engelbrecht, True Crime Author and Podcaster, sits down with Ryan Blumenthal regarding his latest book, Risking Life for Death. About the book: Locard's Exchange Principle underpins all forensic science and holds that the perpetrator of a crime will bring something to the crime scene and leave with something from it. Forensic experts use this principle daily to catch murderers and assailants. In Risking Life for Death, South African forensic pathologist Ryan Blumenthal offers a master class in this singular forensic technique based on real-life case studies. With more than twenty years' experience in the field, Blumenthal explains how to look for clues and traces, and how what he does not find at autopsy is often more important than what he does find. In other words, the absence of evidence can sometimes be of greater value than the presence of evidence. His account also highlights the dangers forensic pathologists are exposed to daily. As they try to unravel the puzzle of someone's death, forensic pathologists often face life-threatening infections, toxic gases and the hazards associated with high-profile cases – in effect, risking their life to solve someone else's death. An understanding of Locard's Exchange Principle can help you become a medical detective in your own life, can help you be a happier person and can even provide you with a better philosophy for growing older, Blumenthal argues. About the author: RYAN BLUMENTHAL is a forensic pathologist with more than twenty years' experience in the field, and he is based in South Africa. His book Autopsy: Life in the Trenches with a Forensic Pathologist in Africa, which was published by Jonathan Ball Publishers in August 2020, became a non-fiction bestseller in South Africa. His eight-part documentary Lightning Pathologist was aired from 9 to 20 November 2020 on People°s Weather (Channel 180) on DStv. It was viewed by over 2,2 million people.

South Africa's failure to reform – and save the country, and especially its immiserated poor, from joblessness, stalling growth and widespread governance failure – can be pinned on the ruling party's ‘unwavering determination' to pursue the socialist-inspired National Democratic Revolution (NDR). In this way, the ANC seeks to ‘take the country by incremental steps from capitalism to socialism'. This is the core theme of a new book, COUNTDOWN TO SOCIALISM – The National Democratic Revolution in South Africa since 1994 (Jonathan Ball Publishers), by the head of policy research at the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), Dr Anthea Jeffery. Her new book reveals the scale and reach of NDR precepts in South African policy-making since 1994. By way of example, NDR interventions have already made millions of people unemployable and the mining sector largely ‘uninvestable'. These policies now aim at land expropriation without compensation (EWC) and the effective nationalisation of private healthcare and pensions. Jeffery, who holds law degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cambridge and has a PhD in law from London University, has written 11 books, including BEE: Helping or Hurting? and People's War: New Light on the Struggle for South Africa. She has also written extensively on property rights, land reform, the mining sector, the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) system, and a growth-focused and non-racial alternative to BEE. This is a recording of the inaugural book launch hosted at Exclusive Books in Cape Town on 19 July 2023. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter

Welcome to Pagecast, the book-centred podcast series presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode, international best-selling South African author Lauren Beukes chats with Sam Beckbessinger and Dale Halvorsen, co-authors of Girls of Little Hope. Three girls went into the woods. Only two came back, covered in blood and with no memory of what happened. Or did they? Being fifteen is tough – tougher when you live in a boring-ass small town in 1996. Donna, Rae and Kat keep each other sane with the fervour of teen friendships, zine-making and some amateur sleuthing into the town's most enduring mysteries: a lost gold mine, and why little Ronnie Gaskins burned his parents alive a decade ago. Their hunt will lead them to a hidden cave from which only two of them return alive. As the police investigate, Rae and Donna will have to return to the cave where they discover a secret so shattering that no-one who encounters it will ever be the same. SAM BECKBESSINGER is the author of the bestselling Manage Your Money Like a F*cking Grownup Grownup (over 70 000 copies sold). She's also a cartoon scriptwriter, has published three picture books for young children, and wrote for Marvel's Jessica Jones: Playing with Fire on Realm. Sam gets way too excited about gross body fluids and spreadsheets. She lives in London. DALE HALVORSEN is a writer and internationally award-winning book cover designer for authors like Lauren Beukes and Nnedi Okorafo. He is the co-creator of the Vertigo original horror series Survivors' Club together with Lauren Beukes and artist Ryan Kelly. It is currently in development as a TV series. Dale lives in Cape Town.

In this episode, CEO of Jonathan Ball Publishers, Eugene Ashton, chats with Author and Historian Charles van Onselen about his new book, Three Wise Monkeys. In some settings, such as Ireland, contiguous Catholic and Protestant states are often not conducive to good relations or neighbourliness. In colonial and imperial southern Africa, formal inter-state arrangements took place at the expense of a third party – subjected African peoples. Three Wise Monkeys explores some of the contradictions, silences and oversights, and working misunderstandings that arise when an emerging Anglophone, Protestant, industrial and urbanising state – South Africa – develops side by side with Mozambique – a Lusophone, Catholic, commercial, rural colony. In three volumes, Charles van Onselen examines the intertwined relations between South Africa and Portugal's chronically weak east coast colony, as expressed through the migrant labour system, the tourist trade, the rise and fall of LM Radio and the extraordinary tale of the Lourenço Marques Lottery. These areas constituted zones of cross-cultural, transnational interaction that both states were reluctant to acknowledge formally, choosing instead to ‘see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil' for much of the 20th century. Three Wise Monkeys presents a startling new way of viewing the entangled, often hidden, economic, political and social dynamics that informed the rise of 20th-century South Africa, often at the expense of neighbouring Mozambique.

Read-it! focuses on the magic power of books. It's hosted by leading educator Marc Falconer, with learners from Gardens Commercial High School and Rustenburg High School. Thanks to our Publishers' Choice sponsors: Exclusive Books, Jonathan Ball Publishers , Pan Macmillan South Africa and Penguin Random House SA. Read-it! is produced by Vanessa Levenstein and the sound engineer is Mzukisi Maketa.

Welcome to Pagecast, the book-centred podcast series presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode. Tecla Ciolfi, the Founder & Editor of Texx and the City, will be chatting with Coco Mellars, the incredible author of the captivating novel Cleopatra and Frankenstein! For readers of Modern Lovers and Conversations with Friends, an addictive, humorous, and poignant debut novel about the shock waves caused by one couple's impulsive marriage. 'A tender, devastating and funny exploration of love and friendship and the yearning for self-evisceration. Coco Mellors is an elegant and exciting new voice' PANDORA SYKES, author of How Do We Know We're Doing It Right New York is slipping from Cleo's grasp. Sure, she's at a different party every other night, but she barely knows anyone. Her student visa is running out, and she doesn't even have money for cigarettes. But then she meets Frank. Twenty years older, Frank's life is full of all the success and excess that Cleo's lacks. He offers her the chance to be happy, the freedom to paint, and the opportunity to apply for a green card. She offers him a life imbued with beauty and art-and, hopefully, a reason to cut back on his drinking. He is everything she needs right now. Cleo and Frank run head-first into a romance that neither of them can quite keep up with. It reshapes their lives and the lives of those around them, whether that's Cleo's best friend struggling to embrace his gender identity in the wake of her marriage, or Frank's financially dependent sister arranging sugar daddy dates after being cut off. Ultimately, this chance meeting between two strangers outside of a New Year's Eve party changes everything, for better or worse. Cleopatra and Frankenstein is an astounding and painfully relatable debut novel about the spontaneous decisions that shape our entire lives and those imperfect relationships born of unexpectedly perfect evenings. Coco Mellors was raised in London and New York City. She completed her MFA in Fiction at New York University, where she was a Goldwater Fellow. Cleopatra and Frankenstein has been translated into over ten languages and is being developed for television by Warner Bros. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba's book, written by political commentator Prince Mashele, has sparked controversy following the revelation that Mashaba contributed to its funding, despite being advertised as an unauthorised biography, Jonathan Ball Publishers withdrew the book from the market, citing a breach of trust, as Mashele failed to disclose the source of the funding. The source of the funding was disclosed by Brutus Malada, a senior researcher on the book who is married to former Democratic Alliance mayor Mpho Phalatse. Charles Cilliers, author and Co-Founder of the Patriotic Alliance, expressed astonishment at the reported payment of R12.5 million to Mashele, deeming it an “unfathomable amount”. Cilliers further commented that this controversy could have negative repercussions for Mashaba and ActionSA, adding that if his “big and scary” leader, Gayton McKenzie, had done the same, he would have strangled him. - Linda van Tilburg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The author of Herman Mashaba's book, Prince Mashele, says he was never paid but received a loan from Mashaba. Mashele, a political analyst and author, has been giving media interviews, including on eNCA and Radio 702. He made headlines after the Sunday Times reported Mashaba funded the book The Outsider: The unauthorised biography of Herman Mashaba. Jonathan Ball Publishers removed the book from the shelves.

The publisher of ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba's autobiography, Jonathan Ball Publishers is withdrawing Mashaba's unauthorized biography, 'The Outsider', which was authored by political analyst Prince Mashele. Mashaba reportedly gave Mashele R12,5 million to write the book. The publishers say they had no option but to withdraw the book from the market following the disclosure that Herman Mashaba had funded his own book. Meanwhile, ActionSA has rejected media reports that Mashaba bribed Mashele to write his biography. To look into the issues of ethics in the process of the book, Elvis Presslin spoke to Media Expert, Tshamano Makhadi

Welcome to Pagecast, the book-centred podcast series presented by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode, Shaun de Waal, News24 Books Editor, interviews South African writer Jonny Steinberg about his latest book, "Winnie and Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage." In this captivating book, Steinberg explores the marriage between Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. As Mandela spent years in prison, his love for Winnie grew, portraying her in his letters as an idealized version of his wife, frozen in time like young lovers. However, Winnie, who was his political equal, became increasingly distant from her husband's political beliefs. Behind Mandela's back, Winnie attempted to orchestrate an armed seizure of power, a path that he feared would lead to an endless war. Jonny Steinberg narrates the compelling story of this extraordinary marriage, delving into its desires, obsessions, and betrayals, while also weaving it into the political tapestry of South African history. "Winnie and Nelson" is a modern epic that demonstrates how the trauma within a marriage can reverberate throughout an entire nation. It also resembles a Shakespearean drama, intertwining themes of love, commitment, and timeless questions about revolution, such as seeking retribution versus pursuing a negotiated peace. With powerful and tender emotional insight, Steinberg reveals the extent to which these inseparable leaders would go for each other, as well as the boundaries they set. Ultimately, they understood that their union was not just a marriage, but a struggle to define the policies of anti-apartheid. Thank you for listening, and enjoy this episode of Pagecast. About Jonny Steinberg: Jonny Steinberg is the author of several books about everyday life in the wake of South Africa's transition to democracy. He is a two-time winner of South Africa's premier non-fiction prize, the Sunday Times Alan Paton Award, and an inaugural winner of the Donald Windham-Sandy M. Campbell Literature Prizes. Until 2020, he was professor of African studies at Oxford University, and he currently teaches part-time at Yale and is visiting professor at the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (Wiser).

Thanks for clicking play on Pagecast, a book-centred podcast series brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode, author and historian Mphuthumi Ntabeni chats with Sharon Dodua Otoo, regarding her latest book Ada's Realm! In a small village in West Africa, in what will one day become Ghana, Ada gives birth again, and again the baby does not live. As she grieves the loss of her child, Portuguese traders become the first white men to arrive in the village, an event that will bear terrible repercussions for Ada and her kin. Centuries later, Ada will become the mathematical genius Ada Lovelace; Ada, a prisoner forced into prostitution in a Nazi concentration camp; and Ada, a young, pregnant Ghanaian woman with a new British passport who arrives in Berlin in 2019 for a fresh start. Ada is not one woman but many, and she is all women - she revolves in orbits, looping from one century and from one place to the next.

Thanks for clicking play on Pagecast, a book-centred podcast series brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode the wonderful Danielle Weakley, Brand builder, editor and writer is in conversation with Jo Watson, regarding her latest romantic comedy titled What Happens on Vacation... Two rivals. One holiday and A trip they will never forget. Watson returns with a hilarious and heartfelt new enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity rom-com! It's the book you won't want to go on holiday without! Enjoy this episode of Pagecast, thanks for tuning in! About Jo Watson: Jo Watson is a bestselling author of romantic comedies, including Love to Hate You which has sold over 100,000 copies. She's a two-time Watty Award winner with over 50 million reads on Wattpad and 85,000 followers. Jo is an Adidas addict and a Depeche Mode devotee. She lives in South Africa with her family. Visit her website www.jowatsonwrites.co.uk for exclusive extras, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @JoWatsonWrites.

Welcome to episode 32! This week we dive into the topic of locum work - freelancing as a medical professional in a practice that is not your own. This can be an extremely rewarding and profitable work option for junior doctors after internship and community service years, and has the added benefit of giving the medical professional a measure of autonomy and freedom, while you explore your interests and build your portfolio. As such, of course this makes it an important topic for junior doctors and medical students.  Our guests this episode: This episode of the podcast we're featuring LocumBase.com, the independent online booking and management platform connecting freelance medical professionals and practices. You can visit their website https://www.locumbase.com/ or their socials here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/locumbase/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LocumBase/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locumbase/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LocumBase Zulé Vuuren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zule-vuuren/ Jovana Harkhu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/missjovanaharkhu/ Important links from this week's episode: If you would like to partner with the Dr Coffee Podcast, either by collaborating on an event for medical students or junior doctors, sponsoring a segment or an episode of the podcast, or purchasing advertising time, please get in touch with us via email or our new contact form, available here and on our Linktree at linketr.ee/drcoffeeza - https://forms.gle/FN71kurimdzXruhN6 AMP'd for the WAPT is a student-led pre-med mentoring group that provides notes, summaries and encouragement for those preparing to write the WAPt exam and enter GEMP. You can find their Telegram group via their social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. The Graduate Entry to Medicine Program (GEMP) at the University of the Witwatersrand: https://www.wits.ac.za/health/gemp/ Our Book Reviewed: Autopsy - Life in the trenches with a forensic pathologist in Africa (Ryan Blumenthal). Jonathan Ball Publishers. Buy it here: https://www.takealot.com/autopsy/PLID69358159 If you have feedback on this episode, please get in touch. The podcast's email address is drcoffeeza@gmail.com. We're also on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, with the username “@DrCoffeeZA". While you're here, please consider leaving a review or rating of the podcast on whatever platform you're currently listening on. If you enjoyed this episode, you may want to check out our other episodes, or share with a friend who think might be interested. You can find the Dr Coffee Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Thank you for listening and have a great week!

Thanks for clicking play on Pagecast, a book-centred podcast series brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode author and historian Bill Nasson chats with author, and member of parliament, Michael Cardo regarding his comprehensive biography of Harry Oppenheimer. In the first, full-scale biography of Oppenheimer, based on unrestricted access to his subject's private papers and extensive interviews with family members and close associates, Michael Cardo eschews both the corporate hype and the political propaganda to produce a vivid, fully-rounded portrait. He brings to life the places, people, events and relationships that shaped Harry Oppenheimer's long and rich career at the intersection of business and politics. Cardo also tackles thorny questions of legacy and Oppenheimer's complicity with the oppressive racial order of the past. We hope that you enjoy the episode.

You're tuned in to Book Choice, Publishers' Choice, on Fine Music Radio, with me, your host, Paige Nick. Today the show includes four of South Africa's biggest publishing houses. Each here to highlight all the beautiful books they're publishing this year. This is what we've got lined up for you. First up on the show we'll hear from Jonathan Ball Publishers, to share the best of their current non-fiction and fiction titles on the shelves right now. After that, it's a big hello to global publishing powerhouse, Pan Macmillan. Talking about their favourite new titles, both local and international. Straight after that, Viz from Penguin Random House, is on the mic. Penguin Random House are the world's largest English trade publisher. Here to tell us what they've got going on.

Thanks for clicking play on Pagecast, a book-centred podcast series brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode, Sewela Langeni of Book Circle Capital is in conversation with Lesley Mofokeng, author of The Man Who Shook Mountains Journalist Lesley Mofokeng investigates the life of his remarkable grandfather, Mongangane Wilfred Mofokeng, a prominent Dutch Reformed Church evangelist who built a thriving community out of the dust of the far North West. The journey takes him from Joburg's Marabi-soaked townships of the 1930s to his childhood home of Gelukspan near Lichtenburg and then to the rural Free State and the remote mountain kingdom of Lesotho. In what becomes a spiritual quest, he traces the inspirational footsteps of his ancestors and the legendary King Moshoeshoe. In the process, Mofokeng proudly claims his heritage and also uncovers a long-lost chapter of South African history and the church of the apartheid regime. Enjoy the episode!

Thanks for clicking play on Pagecast, a book-centred podcast series brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode, Highly qualified and experienced Information specialist and Historian Graham Dominy chats with respected historian and author John Laband regarding his latest book The Boer Invasion of the Zulu Kingdom. This invasion in 1837, of the Zulu kingdom by Boers migrating from the British Cape Colony, and the massacres, battles and civil war that ensued as the Zulu resisted the settlers was a critical moment in South African history. Changing perceptions in a post-colonial world requires the reassessment of wars of colonial aggression, but there is no book in English that engages with the war between the Boers and Zulu in its entire context or takes the Zulu evidence into proper account. This work attempts to do so. Enjoy the episode!

Thanks for clicking play on Pagecast, a book-centred podcast series brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. In this episode, Avid runner, school teacher and MC Sean Robson chats with co-author and long-time running coach Eric Orton about Born to Run 2 - The Ultimate Training Guide. This book teaches every runner, new or experienced, how to master humankind's first true superpower and tap into hidden reserves of strength and stamina. With chapters dedicated to the Free Seven - Food, Fitness, Form, Focus, Footwear, Fun and Family - we learn exactly how to change our biomechanics, clean up our diets, heal our injuries, adapt to healthier footwear, and prepare for our dream challenge. Enjoy the episode!

A big hello from the Fine Music Radio studios, my name is Paige Nick, and you're tuned into Book Choice our Publishers' Choice Edition. The only book show in the country where the biggest names from behind the scenes in publishing join us to give us an insider's eye into the books they're bringing out right now. First on the show, we welcome the team from global publishing powerhouse, Pan Macmillan. To share some of their favourite new titles, both local and international. After that, we're joined by Jonathan Ball Publishers. The team at Jonathan Ball, consistently publish a host of South Africa's top non-fiction titles, as well as international fiction and non fiction. And they're here to bring us up to speed with what they've got coming up.

A big hello from the Fine Music Radio studios, my name is Paige Nick, and you're tuned into Book Choice our Publishers' Choice Edition. The only book show in the country where the biggest names from behind the scenes in publishing join us for a full hour, to give us an insider's eye into the books they're bringing out right now. First on the show, we welcome the team from global publishing powerhouse, Pan Macmillan. To share some of their favourite current titles, both local and international. After that, we'll be joined by Jonathan Ball Publishers. The team at Jonathan Ball, consistently publish a host of South Africa's top non-fiction titles, as well as loads of great international fiction and non-fiction. And they're here today to bring us up to speed with what they've got coming up. And after that, and a bit of music, last, but never least, we will be joined by our great, great friends at Exclusive Books, who come on the mic to add their important voice to the show, and share their top picks and very best reads for you, for the upcoming month. And each of these incredible publishers' slots are bookended by some great music. All the music in our book shows every month, are carefully and thoughtfully selected by Rick Everett and compiled by Dave Wood. Thank you for the music you guys.

Batya Bricker, Exclusive Books Marketing, Loyalty and Procurement – General Manager joins Michele Magwood, writer, editor and Publisher-at-Large for Jonathan Ball Publishers, to chat about the Exclusive Books Christmas List. This year's Exclusive Books Christmas selection – The List – is the widest selection in years, making the offering truly ‘something for everyone'. The campaign itself, Santa's No 1 Supplier, is traditional and nostalgic, featuring Santa himself, with his trusty elves, amongst the treasure trove of bookshelves at Exclusive Books. “This is a departure from Exclusive Books' usual approach, where we would emphasise the general holiday aspect of the Season, rather than the particularity of Christmas. But our feeling for this year, post-covid and amidst our current challenging times, was that we all needed a bit of Festive magic and wonder, a universal need no matter how you choose to celebrate at the end of the year.” – Batya Bricker – Exclusive Books Marketing, Loyalty and Procurement – General Manager. You can access the list at: https://issuu.com/exclusivebooks/docs/_lks19117_christmas_catalogue_2022_sa_final_jetli?fr=sMTgyMzU0OTk1NjU&_ga=2.154250168.1885358239.1670216671-amp-bfD7XouynpxxlXXZHZ9IBg Enjoy! Exclusive Books Christmas Catalogue

Batya Bricker, Exclusive Books Marketing, Loyalty and Procurement – General Manager joins Michele Magwood, writer, editor and Publisher-at-Large for Jonathan Ball Publishers, to chat about the Exclusive Books Christmas List. This year's Exclusive Books Christmas selection – The List – is the widest selection in years, making the offering truly ‘something for everyone'. The campaign itself, Santa's No 1 Supplier, is traditional and nostalgic, featuring Santa himself, with his trusty elves, amongst the treasure trove of bookshelves at Exclusive Books. “This is a departure from Exclusive Books' usual approach, where we would emphasise the general holiday aspect of the Season, rather than the particularity of Christmas. But our feeling for this year, post-covid and amidst our current challenging times, was that we all needed a bit of Festive magic and wonder, a universal need no matter how you choose to celebrate at the end of the year.” – Batya Bricker – Exclusive Books Marketing, Loyalty and Procurement – General Manager. You can access the list at: https://issuu.com/exclusivebooks/docs/_lks19117_christmas_catalogue_2022_sa_final_jetli?fr=sMTgyMzU0OTk1NjU&_ga=2.154250168.1885358239.1670216671-amp-bfD7XouynpxxlXXZHZ9IBg Enjoy! Exclusive Books Christmas Catalogue

A new book by top-selling author, journalist, and assistant editor at News 24, Pieter du Toit, has hit the shelves. In his book, “ANC Billionaires”, released by Jonathan Ball Publishers, du Toit explores the possibility that the capitalist class and the liberation movement made covert agreements to maintain the status quo regarding the economic policy of South Africa.

Jonathan Ball Publishers have been publishing non-fiction titles in South Africa since the 1970s and they have been known to slaughter a couple of holy cows. One of their first well-known books was an exposé about the Broederbond, ‘The Super-Afrikaners' by Sunday Times journalists. The Publishing Director responsible for publishing many other well-known authors including Redi Thlabi, Van Zyl Slabbert and Sisonke Msimang for JBP is Jeremy Boraine one of South Africa's leading publishers. Boraine has been now been tasked to spearhead a new imprint for Icon Books in the United Kingdom, a post he will take up in April. Icon Books is an indie British company that JBP acquired in March 2020. Boraine told Linda van Tilburg about his plans to take the SA concept of ‘active publishing' overseas…

I recently had a book published and part of the excitement and challenge involved, I found myself fascinated by the whole publication process. So I decided to invite Jeremy Boraine, the publishing director of Jonathan Ball Publishers, to be my guest on this week's edition of People of Note. Jeremy has worked with a number of South Africa's top authors and Jonathan Ball Publishers specialises in South African history, politics and current affairs as well as publishing some fiction.

I recently had a book published and part of the excitement and challenge involved, I found myself fascinated by the whole publication process. So I decided to invite Jeremy Boraine, the publishing director of Jonathan Ball Publishers, to be my guest on this week's edition of People of Note. Jeremy has worked with a number of South Africa's top authors and Jonathan Ball Publishers specialises in South African history, politics and current affairs as well as publishing some fiction.

In this interview with Dr Evert Kleynhans, we unveil the details of the u-boat campaigns off the coast of South Africa in 1942/43 during World War 2; principally Operation Eisbar, which played out around the Cape of Good Hope, and discuss his new book, Hitler's Spies: Secret Agents and the Intelligence War in South Africa, in which he analyses the link between the u-boat campaigns and the pro-German spy network operating in Southern Africa during the war.Evert Kleynhans is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Military History at the Faculty of Military Science of Stellenbosch University (South Africa). He is also the Editor of the journal Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies, and he serves as the Assistant Director of the Southern African Chapter of the Second World War Research Group. His latest book is published by Jonathan Ball Publishers and is available for purchase through Amazon and other retailers. 

In this episode Professor Martin Brand interviews Professor Ryan Blumenthal, senior specialist forensic pathologist and associate professor at the University of Pretoria's Department of Forensic Medicine. His chief field of interest is the pathology of trauma of lightning. His book 'Autopsy - Life in the trenches with a forensic pathologist from Africa' (Jonathan Ball Publishers) launched August 2020 and became a non-fiction best-seller in South Africa and his eight-part documentary “Lightning Pathologist” aired 9 November 2020 to 20 November 2020, and was viewed by over 2.2 million people. In this podcast Professor Blumenthal explains how ligntning causes injuries and dispels several myths of this not uncommon cause of trauma in South Africa. Stanleur Capital: Medical practice and personal financial solutions

In this episode Professor Martin Brand interviews Professor Ryan Blumenthal, senior specialist forensic pathologist and associate professor at the University of Pretoria's Department of Forensic Medicine. His chief field of interest is the pathology of trauma of lightning. His book 'Autopsy - Life in the trenches with a forensic pathologist from Africa' (Jonathan Ball Publishers) launched August 2020 and became a non-fiction best-seller in South Africa and his eight-part documentary “Lightning Pathologist” aired 9 November 2020 to 20 November 2020, and was viewed by over 2.2 million people. In this podcast Professor Blumenthal explains how ligntning causes injuries and dispels several myths of this not uncommon cause of trauma in South Africa.

In 1939, South Africa entered World War II on the side of the Allied powers, although not without internal opposition. The German government capitalised on these domestic rifts and secretly engaged the leaders of the pro-fascist Ossewabrandwag in order to encourage sedition across South Africa and intercept naval intelligence- ultimately to undermine the strategic importance of the Cape of Good Hope for Allied efforts. To this end, a complex network of spies was dispatched to collect intelligence to send back to the Reich by way of coded messages to Axis diplomatic agents stationed in Mozambique. These spies and their tactics are the focus of Dr Evert Kleynhans' new book, Hitler's South African Spies (Jonathan Ball Publishers, 2021). In this podcast, Dr Kleynhans and Dr Marco Wyss, Director of the Centre for War and Diplomacy, discuss the role of intelligence in South Africa during the Second World War, the impact these spies had on the outcome of the war, and how research into this field continues to develop. Dr Evert Kleynhans is a senior lecturer in the Department of Military History at the Faculty of Military Science of Stellenbosch University. He lectures undergraduate and postgraduate modules on the evolution of warfare, African military history, and low-intensity conflict in Africa since 1945. His research interests include South African participation in both World Wars, insurgency and counterinsurgency in Africa, and the broad historical impact of climate and terrain on warfare. Dr Kleynhans formerly served as an officer in the South African National Defence Force, whereafter he was appointed as the archivist, and later director, of the Records, Archives and Museums Division of North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. His book, Hitler's South African Spies: Secret Agents and the Intelligence War in South Africa, was published by Jonathan Ball Publishers this year and is available through reputable booksellers.

Episode 94 of the Business Bookshelf - Debora Mackenzie - Author of "COVID-19: The Pandemic that Never Should Have Happened, and How to Stop the Next One" Today our guest is Debora Mackenzie. Debora has been covering emerging diseases for more than 30 years as a science journalist for outlets like New Scientist magazine. From SARs to rabies and Ebola to AIDs, she’s been on the frontline in reporting on how pandemics form, why they spread, and how to stop them throughout her career. In addition to infectious disease, she also specializes in reporting on the science of complexity and social organization. In 2010, she won the American Society for Microbiology Public Communication Award. Before becoming a journalist, she worked as a biomedical researcher. Today we are talking to Debora about her new book “COVID-19: The Pandemic that Never Should Have Happened, and How to Stop the Next One”. In a gripping, accessible narrative, a veteran science journalist lays out the shocking story of how the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic happened and how to make sure this never happens again. The host of the podcast is Lance Peppler. Email him at lance@ideastorm.co.za or visit www.ideastorm.co.za. Todays episode is brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. “COVID-19: The Pandemic that Never Should Have Happened, and How to Stop the Next One” by Debora Mackenzie is published by The Bridge Street Press and distributed in South Africa by Jonathan Ball Publishers. You can find it at all good book stores and also online through Loot and Takealot for R355. Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for arranging this interview. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/lance-peppler/support

Guest: Verushka Louw | Children's book sales rep at Jonathan Ball Publishers.

David Krut Projects and Jonathan Ball Publishers brings you a conversation between artist/photographer Roger Ballen and freelance journalist Tymon Smith hosted on Instagram LIVE on April 22, 2020. This was day 25 of #Lockdown in Johannesburg South Africa owing to the global pandemic of COVID-19. The two spoke about Roger's biographical history, the evolution of his work, his 2019/2020 exhibition at the Halle Saint Pierre, the new publication 'The World According to Roger Ballen' and Roger's plans for opening a new photography centre in Johannesburg South Africa. To find out more about the event, visit: https://davidkrutbookstores.com/the-w... To view and order the book online visit: https://davidkrutbookstores.com/produ... To view an online exhibition hosted by David Krut Projects in Partnership with Artsy visit: https://www.artsy.net/show/david-krut... #DavidKrutProjects #RogerBallen #Art #Photography #Lockdown #IGTV #Instagram #InstagramLive

In this David Krut Bookstore episode of the David krut Podcast, Annabel WIlliams introduces a new publication on Roger Ballen published by Thames & Hudson titled 'The World According to Roger Ballen." Here, we have extracted audio clips provided by Roger Ballen from various interviews and video clips relating to his publications. In light of the National Shutdown taking place in South Africa, the Johannesburg book launch for 'The World According to Roger Ballen' published by Thames & Hudson was cancelled. The David Krut Bookstore, Jonathan Ball Publishers and the Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre were to host this anticipated event along with Roger Ballen to promote this new title. We are still pleased to be able to promote and stock several titles by the photographer which are available to order on our website. The first audio clip is taken from a promotional video for Ballenesque - Roger Ballen: A Retrospective. This is a 2017 Thames and Hudson publication that portrays the world of the photographer. Here, Roger reveals important elements that predominate his aesthetic. This publication is a personal account of Roger Ballen’s career, including rare and privileged insights into Ballen’s photographic practice and contains iconic and unpublished imagery. Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Hy1X8xkwkg0&feature=emb_logo In 2019, a large exhibition of the photographer took place at the Halle Saint-Pierre in Paris. In this clip, Roger explains his approach and gives some insight to better understand his work as showcased in the exhibition. Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZdNsHfJvw4&feature=emb_logo Besides Photography, Roger has been working on many different projects as installations and he is also well-known for directing the music video "I Fink You Freeky", created for the cult band Die Antwoord. In this clip, Wladimir Autain interviewed him on the occasion of his solo exhibition "The world according to Roger Ballen" at La Halle Saint-Pierre in Paris. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQEE4KX3X9E&feature=emb_logo Hope you enjoyed learning more about artist-photographer Roger Ballen. Visit the David Krut Bookstore/ website to order the available publications we have – Dorps - https://davidkrutbookstores.com/product/dorps/ Asylum of the Birds - https://davidkrutbookstores.com/…/roger-ballen-asylum-of-t…/ Die Antwoord: I Fink you Freaky - https://davidkrutbookstores.com/…/roger-ballendie-antwoord…/ THE THEATRE OF APPARITIONS - https://davidkrutbookstores.com/…/the-theatre-of-apparitio…/ The World According to Roger Ballen - https://davidkrutbookstores.com/…/the-world-according-to-r…/ The David Krut Podcast is a production of David Krut Projects. Episode hosted by Annabel Williams & produced by Britt Lawton

As you know, I recently had a book published and part of the excitement and challenge involved, I found myself fascinated by the whole publication process. So I decided to invite Jeremy Boraine, the publishing director of Jonathan Ball Publishers, to be my guest on this week's edition of People of Note. Jeremy has worked with a number of South Africa's top authors and Jonathan Ball Publishers specialises in South African history, politics and current affairs as well as publishing some fiction.

Fine Music Radio — As you know, I recently had a book published and part of the excitement and challenge involved, I found myself fascinated by the whole publication process. So I decided to invite Jeremy Boraine, the publishing director of Jonathan Ball Publishers, to be my guest on this week’s edition of People of Note. Jeremy has worked with a number of South Africa’s top authors and Jonathan Ball Publishers specialises in South African history, politics and current affairs as well as publishing some fiction.

The Money Show’s Bruce Whitfield interviews Ball, who created Jonathan Ball Publishers 41 years ago.

Anybody who has been following the news in recent months knows that bloodshed has returned to South Africa. The recent violence and deaths among strikers in the country’s platinum mining industry resonate strongly in a country with such memories of the last years of apartheid. But they also point to a different reality – that South Africa is now undergoing a crisis of leadership, despite the continued electoral success of the ANC, and a crunch point in its history. Martin Plaut, the co-author of Who Rules South Africa? (Jonathan Ball Publishers, 2012), is himself a South African who wound up here in London many years ago and then ended up working as Africa Editor in the newsroom of the BBC World Service. He knows the country inside out but is also able to bring a deep level of understanding that comes from his own personal history and experience. In the book Martin and his co-author examine the roots of the ANC and move on to ask what kind of force it is now, in a South Africa that is itself changing rapidly. On one hand it’s a familiar story – the liberation force that then confronts a whole new array of challenges when it takes power. But on the other it’s one that lurks uncomfortably below the surface of a country that otherwise has so much to shout about, from its success in hosting the last football World Cup to its inclusion in the thrusting BRICS grouping. The book is sobering, particularly when it deals with questions such as South Africa’s widening inequality, education and economic frustrations. I’d go so far as to say that it is a ‘must read’ for anybody interested in either South Africa or politics and current affairs in modern Africa. Enjoy the interview! PS: The book is due to be published in the US in 2013, although it’s already available in the UK and worldwide on e-readers. PPS: Martin’s blog is here and his twitter handle is @martinplaut (my own is @npw99) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anybody who has been following the news in recent months knows that bloodshed has returned to South Africa. The recent violence and deaths among strikers in the country’s platinum mining industry resonate strongly in a country with such memories of the last years of apartheid. But they also point to a different reality – that South Africa is now undergoing a crisis of leadership, despite the continued electoral success of the ANC, and a crunch point in its history. Martin Plaut, the co-author of Who Rules South Africa? (Jonathan Ball Publishers, 2012), is himself a South African who wound up here in London many years ago and then ended up working as Africa Editor in the newsroom of the BBC World Service. He knows the country inside out but is also able to bring a deep level of understanding that comes from his own personal history and experience. In the book Martin and his co-author examine the roots of the ANC and move on to ask what kind of force it is now, in a South Africa that is itself changing rapidly. On one hand it’s a familiar story – the liberation force that then confronts a whole new array of challenges when it takes power. But on the other it’s one that lurks uncomfortably below the surface of a country that otherwise has so much to shout about, from its success in hosting the last football World Cup to its inclusion in the thrusting BRICS grouping. The book is sobering, particularly when it deals with questions such as South Africa’s widening inequality, education and economic frustrations. I’d go so far as to say that it is a ‘must read’ for anybody interested in either South Africa or politics and current affairs in modern Africa. Enjoy the interview! PS: The book is due to be published in the US in 2013, although it’s already available in the UK and worldwide on e-readers. PPS: Martin’s blog is here and his twitter handle is @martinplaut (my own is @npw99) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anybody who has been following the news in recent months knows that bloodshed has returned to South Africa. The recent violence and deaths among strikers in the country’s platinum mining industry resonate strongly in a country with such memories of the last years of apartheid. But they also point to a different reality – that South Africa is now undergoing a crisis of leadership, despite the continued electoral success of the ANC, and a crunch point in its history. Martin Plaut, the co-author of Who Rules South Africa? (Jonathan Ball Publishers, 2012), is himself a South African who wound up here in London many years ago and then ended up working as Africa Editor in the newsroom of the BBC World Service. He knows the country inside out but is also able to bring a deep level of understanding that comes from his own personal history and experience. In the book Martin and his co-author examine the roots of the ANC and move on to ask what kind of force it is now, in a South Africa that is itself changing rapidly. On one hand it’s a familiar story – the liberation force that then confronts a whole new array of challenges when it takes power. But on the other it’s one that lurks uncomfortably below the surface of a country that otherwise has so much to shout about, from its success in hosting the last football World Cup to its inclusion in the thrusting BRICS grouping. The book is sobering, particularly when it deals with questions such as South Africa’s widening inequality, education and economic frustrations. I’d go so far as to say that it is a ‘must read’ for anybody interested in either South Africa or politics and current affairs in modern Africa. Enjoy the interview! PS: The book is due to be published in the US in 2013, although it’s already available in the UK and worldwide on e-readers. PPS: Martin’s blog is here and his twitter handle is @martinplaut (my own is @npw99) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices