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General Reading on South Africa

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rusky

Post subject: General Reading on South Africa

Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:08 am

Junior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:07 am
Posts: 717
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Mods please move this if recommended reading only refers to Wildlife

After our KNP trip I am keen to understand and learn about all things South African. I have enjoyed books in the past like
'The Power of one" Bryce Courtney and the Courteney series by Wilbur Smith

I have reserved Mandelas "Long walk to freedom' at my local library

I would like to hear forumites express what would be the ONE book they would recommend (that is South Africa related) and a brief description of the book and why.

As an example the ONE book I would reccommend to people interested in India would be
SHANTARAM by Greg Roberts.
This is a NOVEL based on actual events in the authors life (so its inbetween fiction and non-fiction)- A convicted Aussie criminal who escaped from a Melbourne prison and then lived 10 years in India (mainly in Bombay/Mumbai). It is an amazing story of a persons persistence and ability to come through some of lifes toughest chalenges and it is a great insight into India and its people. This book came into my life at a turning point and it inspired me to think differently and ....dream!

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Rusky's Kruger Ramble Jun 08 - a 1st timers dream trip

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Suzz

Post subject: General reading on South africa

Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:41 am

Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:21 am
Posts: 135
Location: Centurion, SA

Hi Rusky,
It's nice to hear that people from other countries is interested in our country. And although South Africa is nown for it political history and background I'm going to recommend Jock of the Bushveld by Sir Percy Fitz Patrick, which has got nothing to do with politics. It's a beautiful true story about Jock, a staffi dog, and his life in what is today known as Kruger National Park and other parts of Mpumalanga. Really a great story, I have the book myself, as I received it as a present when I was still a child. You might have seen all the Jock plaques in KNP when you were here, there's even a private lodge inside KNP named after him. Very nice story.

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rusky

Post subject:

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:22 am

Junior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:07 am
Posts: 717
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Thanks Suzz. I'm moving it to the top of the list.

Everything about SAf fascinates me. It is a country at a very important crossraod in time - as pretty much the whole of Africa (and the world) is (are) looking on and have fingers crossed for you as you lead the way in reconciliation.

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Meandering Mouse

Post subject:

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:48 am

Legendary Virtual Ranger

Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:47 pm
Posts: 10355
Location: meandering between senility and menopause
FAC Member (2011)

Hi Rusky, I do hope the mods don't move this, as I think that it's a lovely thread.

I always think of South Africa as a country with many histories. People's subjective experience of life has always fascinated me and because there are so many very different experiences, a few books come to mind.
A book I greatly enjoyed is, "Isobella's Journey", by Elsa Joubert. It gives a deep insight into what it was like, growing up as a South African through many generations.
It is beautifuly written.
Anyone who reads the book will get an understanding of politics, but it is not a political book.

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saraf

Post subject:

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:10 pm

Moderator

Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:19 pm
Posts: 5330
Location: Portsmouth, England

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Gavin Bell is a good read. Bell is a BBC foreign correspondent but this is a book of his private (as opposed to work) travels around South Africa in 2000-01. A bit dated but most of his observations are still valid, if maybe a tad controversial.

Long Walk To Freedom is a must read for everyone.

Also if you can get hold of an internet radio SABC used to have a news/talk station with interesting articles but I can't remember the name of it.

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rusky

Post subject:

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:39 am

Junior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:07 am
Posts: 717
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Thanks MM and saraf.
Went to the library yesterday and picked up Andre Brinks' Praying Mantis. Unfortunately the lib does not have the 2 books recommended by Suzz and MM. But in Oz we have a wonderful system with public libraries. If they don't have a book that you want to read, you recommend this to the said libraray and put yourself first on the waiting list and voila! A few weeks later the book arrives and is yours to read.

Saraf, SO and I read the Kruger chapter in SOTR b4 our trip in June 08. In fact the joke I used in my TR is from this book!

Quote:

This reminds me of an amusing story I read about South Africa

GOD and St. Peter are discussing the creation of South Africa.
The BIG G: Pete my man, I am going to create heaven on earth. A land with beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise blue warm waters, mountains that rise out of nothing and touch the sky, plateaus that stretch for miles. I will fill this place with a magnificence of flora and fauna and in abundant supply. This land will be my ‘ Garden of Eden’.

Pete: That is truly wonderful my Lord. But if you will allow this humble servant of yours to speak his mind.

God nods

Pete: Thank you master. Do you think this be fair? How will the other nations feel? Is this not being too generous to the one land and its people, my Lord? Will they not be the envy of all the peoples of the earth?

God: Ah! Peter! Just wait till you see the government I give them.

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Rusky's Kruger Ramble Jun 08 - a 1st timers dream trip

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Freda

Post subject:

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:52 am

Distinguished Virtual Ranger

Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2004 7:01 am
Posts: 2155
Location: Marloth Park, South Africa

I enjoyed Credo Mutwa's, (the world famous Zulu sangoma) books 'Zulu Shaman' and 'African Folklore'

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Imberbe

Post subject:

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:10 pm

Senior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2005 12:28 am
Posts: 14340
Location: Pretoria, RSA

Hi there. This thread is OK, you can continue.

We would not like to have too many non nature and non travel related threads though. So lets keep all the "other" stuff, that is S.A. related, to this one thread.

Enjoy! :wink:

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Pjw

Post subject:

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:26 pm

Senior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:52 pm
Posts: 3523
Location: Africa's Largest City

Rusky I would go with Jock of the Bushveld, but Kobie Krugers books are a great read ( there is a thread in this topic, but I'm not clever enough to do the link thing :redface:

)

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Meandering Mouse

Post subject:

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:51 am

Legendary Virtual Ranger

Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:47 pm
Posts: 10355
Location: meandering between senility and menopause
FAC Member (2011)

I agree, Kobie Kruger is possibly my first choice if you want to relive that Kruger magic.

I also don't know how to link :redface:

where's the mods?

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The bird doesn't sing because it has answers, it sings because it has a song.

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saraf

Post subject:

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 9:12 am

Moderator

Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:19 pm
Posts: 5330
Location: Portsmouth, England

Here you go Kobie Kruger's books

I tried to find the post that tells how to post links but it doesn't exist anymore. PM me if you want an explanation

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Imberbe

Post subject:

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:38 pm

Senior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2005 12:28 am
Posts: 14340
Location: Pretoria, RSA

Apparently that link went AWOL, we will get it going again!

Thanks Saraf.

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RosemaryH

Post subject:

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:58 pm

Forum Assistant

Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:06 am
Posts: 2017
Location: Boons NW
FAC Member (2011)

Rusky I would also suggest Kobie's books. Excellent read for the whole family. Your kids will love them. Especially after your recent trip to the Kruger

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rusky

Post subject:

Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:10 pm

Junior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:07 am
Posts: 717
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Thanks guys! I have added all suggestions 2 the list.

And thanks mods for allowing the thread

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Be the change you want to see in the world- Gandhi
Rusky's Kruger Ramble Jun 08 - a 1st timers dream trip

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rusky

Post subject: Re: General Reading on South Africa

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:29 am

Junior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:07 am
Posts: 717
Location: Melbourne, Australia

To all you 'mites in Oz.

Have been trying at a few libraries for Kobie Kruger's books and some of the others mentioned......but having no luck.

Any suggestions?

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Be the change you want to see in the world- Gandhi
Rusky's Kruger Ramble Jun 08 - a 1st timers dream trip

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