We Need to Talk

by Jonathan Jansen

'Ways of speaking can help heal or they can provoke; they can inflame passions or settle nerves.'

Professor Jonathan Jansen is fast becoming a household name in South Africa, for his critical and at times inconvenient voice. In this collection of articles previously published in The Times Jansen highlights the issues that confront our country – the issues we need to talk about. With humour, humility, occasional anger and a good dose of common sense Jansen discusses education, race and identity, the state of our nation, leadership and even sport. When asked what the secret of his controversial columns is, he answers, ‘A good column upsets half of your readers; the secret is that it should be a different half each time.’ Jansen takes his inspiration from a diverse group of people – statesmen, teachers, students, children and everyday South Africans he meets – and introduces us to them through these stories to bring us a vision of the South Africa we can build, if only we pull together and work to heal the wounds of the past. A book to make you stop and think … and then talk about his ideas around the dinner table, in the staffroom, in the classroom or on the bus.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2011

About the author

Professor Jonathan Jansen is the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Free State, South Africa, where he has earned a formidable reputation for transformation and for a deep commitment to reconciliation in communities living with the heritage of apartheid. He is an educationalist, a former Dean of Education at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, who holds an impressive collection of degrees and awards, including the position as President of the South African Institute of Race Relations. He was born in the Western Cape, South Africa, and has lived in various parts of South Africa and in the United States. He is married with two children.

Reviews

[Ingrid Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this gripping collection of columns in two sittings. Essential reading for any South African. Jansen is our most important thought leader.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent look at SA schools and universities, and the changes and challenges of post-apartheid South Africa.
Highly recommended.

[Jen Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After few glasses of wine we need to-talk I need to talk to you badly I need to talk and now

[Connor de Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to read. Opens your mind up to things that don't normally get spoken about.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard Jonathan Jansen's name mentioned in conversation from time to time over the past couple of years, but had never read any of his work. I'm glad I picked up this book, and I'm glad I read every chapter in it! Even though this series of columns would have been extremely topical at the time of original publication, the message and the analysis contained in these vignettes are still so relevant. There's also something about being able to see in clear 'hindsight' what a lone voice had the courage to speak in the confusion of each new national crisis. Having read this book, I now have huge respect for Jonathan Jansen, and will definitely keep an eye and an ear open for more of his insights in the future! Bravo, Professor.

[Keryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been wanting to read this for a while, and in fact the followup book has already been released, so my rating is a little harsh because some of the writings are now a bit dated, and I have a resistance to any 'diary' type book (silly i know because i do read blogs online a lot). I find Jansen truly inspiring from an educational transformation perspective, and hope to meet him one day. I especially enjoyed his ideas on reducing the drop out rate and the value of asking questions, seeking to understand rather than assuming - a key success factor in successful change management. I look forward to reading 'we need to act' next.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am hooked. Can't wait to get time to read more tonight. I love Prof Jansen's voice through his writing: it feels as if I'm sitting in his office, having a cup of tea and chatting about the state of our amazing, scary, beloved, complicated country. I love his analogy of seeing the rainbow through the rain. Too often the voices we listen to, be it through the media, at a braai, or in our own head, see the rain or the rainbow exclusively.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

While his 'solutions' are a bit idealistic and impractical, Jansen tackles some difficult issues in an eloquent and thought-provoking way. Although he has some nice ideas about what SA should be, he can be a bit doom 'n gloomy, and a bit of a sensationalist. His style makes up for it. Worth a read.

[Clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prof Jansen highlights some deep issues engrained in South African society. Throughout the book he brings to light the major perpetuating issues of over 300 years of collonialism in schools, universities, leadership and sport. It is a good read, but be prepared to be very challenged.