A Legacy of Liberation: Thabo Mbeki and the Future of the South African Dream (0)

In this gripping social history of South Africa, award winning journalist Mark Gevisser follows the family of former South African President Thabo Mbeki to make sense of the legacy of liberation struggle and understand the future of the country under Jacob Zuma. With unparalleled access to Mbeki and Zuma as well as key ANC brass, Gevisser presents an intimate yet accessible account of South Africa’s past, present and future. With his stunning account of the Mbeki family’s history as a backdrop, Gevisser fleshes out the very human elements of a monumental period in world history that will continue to shape African politics for years to come. Contents 8 Author's Note on the Text 10 Acknowledgments 12 Introduction: Thabo Mbeki and the South African Dream Deferred 16 1 The Mbekis: "The Jews of Kaffirland" 27 2 The Moeranes: Chekhov in the Transkei 34 3 The New Africans 40 4 Mbewuleni: "A Place of Seed" 48 5 Family 55 6 Queenstown: The African Springtime Orchestra 62 7 Lovedale: "Africa's Best and Brightest" 65 8 Fatherhood 73 9 Johannesburg: Fringe Country 81 10 Becoming a Communist: "An Honour Bestowed upon Me" 89 11 Into Exile 93 12 Sussex Man 100 13 Favorite Son 111 14 Swinging London: Old Left, New Left 121 15 Moscow Man 131 16 "Not Quite Home": Lusaka and Marriage 139 17 Swaziland: Front Line 148 18 Govan and Epainette 156 19 The Disappearance of Jama Mbeki 165 20 Nigeria: "The Real Africa" 172 21 The National Interferer 180 22 Party Man 189 23 The Diplomat 196 24 The Seducer 204 25 Parallel Paths to Power 214 26 Reunions 223 27 Coming Home 229 28 Sidelining 240 29 Into Power 249 30 Transition: The Battle Over the Economy 261 31 The Arms Deal: South Africa's Poisoned Well 271 32 Mandela and Mbeki: "One Good Native" 276 33 Mbeki and AIDS: "Yes, We Are Diseased!" 291 34 Mbeki and Zimbabwe: "Red-Telephone Diplomacy" 312 35 Home 320 Epilogue: Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, and the Future of the South African Dream 335 Notes 361 Bibliographical Notes 381 Index 384 A 384 B 385 C 385 D 385 E 386 F 386 G 386 H 386 I 387 J 387 K 387 L 387 M 387 N 389 O 389 P 389 Q 389 R 389 S 390 T 390 U 390 V 391 W 391 X 391 Y 391 Z 391

A gripping social history of South Africa's past and future and beautifully narrated by one of Africa's most esteemed journalists, From Struggle to Liberation sheds light on the future of the nation under a new regime. With unprecedented access to Thabo Mbeki and the top brass in the African National Congress, Mark Gevisser weaves a nuanced portrait of the black experience under apartheid. Revelations about the current president and the politics that continue to shape South Africa include:

- Thabo Mbeki's difficult relationship with his own political activist and largely absent father Govan Mbeki, who was imprisoned on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela.

- How the death of his son Kwanda in the diamond mines and the murder of his brother Jama directly affected his leadership and will continue to shape the governance of Africa for years to come.

- The reasons behind Mbeki's puzzling refusal to admit that the HIV virus causes AIDS, which in South Africa claims 800 lives per day, and his support of corrupt governments such as Zimbabwe's.

- Inside rivalry between Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, the populist leader destined to take over as president in 2009.

This accessible account of a monumental period in world history is the definitive look at contemporary South Africa.

A gripping social history of South Africa's past and future and beautifully narrated by one of Africa's most esteemed journalists, From Struggle to Liberation sheds light on the future of the nation under a new regime. With unprecedented access to Thabo Mbeki and the top brass in the African National Congress, Mark Gevisser weaves a nuanced portrait of the black experience under apartheid. Revelations about the current president and the politics that continue to shape South Africa include: - Thabo Mbeki's difficult relationship with his own political activist and largely absent father Govan Mbeki, who was imprisoned on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela. - How the death of his son Kwanda in the diamond mines and the murder of his brother Jama directly affected his leadership and will continue to shape the governance of Africa for years to come. - The reasons behind Mbeki's puzzling refusal to admit that the HIV virus causes AIDS, which in South Africa claims 800 lives per day, and his support of corrupt governments such as Zimbabwe's. - Inside rivalry between Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, the populist leader destined to take over as president in 2009. This accessible account of a monumental period in world history is the definitive look at contemporary South Africa. With unprecedented access to Mbeki and the ANC, A Legacy of Liberation weaves a nuanced portrait of the black experience under apartheid and sheds light on the future of the nation under a new regime. It is a gripping social history of South Africa?s past and future, beautifully narrated by one of Africa's most esteemed journalists. A Legacy of Liberation is at once a rich social history of the black experience under apartheid--as seen through its leaders, movements and people-- and a brilliant expedition through the country's political and personal landscape, past, present and future Follows the family of former South African President Thabo Mbeki to demystify the legacy of liberation struggle and understand the future of the country under new President Jacob Zuma. Mark Gevisser. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [346]-365) And Index.