Armed and dangerous: From undercover struggle to freedom

by Ronnie Kasrils

356p, B&W photos, index. During the years of apartheid rule in South Africa, Ronnte Kasrils was actively involved with the banned ANC, its military wing Umkhonto we.Sizwe and the South African Communist Party. Hunted by the security police, he was described by them as "Armed.and Dangerous." This is his riveting first-hand account of the tense and dramatic years of the liberation struggle followed, by his role in the first ten years of a democratic South Africa in which he first served .as Deputy Defence Minister .(1994 to l999) and then as Minister of. Water Affairs and Forestry (1999 to 2004). Originally published in 1993, the book was republished in 1998 with eight additional chapters.. So great has been the demand that Kasrils had added further chapters to update the book to 2004.

Genres: Africa, History, South Africa, Politics, Nonfiction, Biography

356 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 1993

Reviews

[John Mountford · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye opener for me.
Ronnie Kasrils was my contemporary and living in Durban at the same time as I was. The struggle against apartheid was going on right under my nose,but,like most white South Africans,I was too blind or self-possessed to see! Well done Ronnie! You are one of the true heroes of the struggle! And a good writer, to boot. I enjoyed your down-to-earth style of writing and fair commentary throughout. You, and your book, were the inspiration behind my first novel.

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among the best firsthand accounts of the South African liberation struggle against apartheid, from a member of the Communist Party and the ANC, who eventually forged a lasting alliance together for a common goal. All the names we are familiar with, and those of lesser known grassroots activists get mentioned and discussed. Kasrils very much defends his political allegiances at the time and the strategy of the SACP-ANC. He is able to express honest criticisms of the USSR in this book (drawing on his own experiences in visiting the country) but from a position of semi-critical support, and expresses profound gratefulness for the material assistance the USSR and other states like East Germany provided.

[Aaron Watling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning and personal account of Kasrils’ involvement in the armed struggle against apartheid South Africa. A must read!

[Thabiso Mantjela · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly insightful book on the history of the struggle against apartheid by a white man who benefitted from Apartheid, but decided to wage a struggle against it. What a hero!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unbelievably good book. Kasrils is a hero of anti-apartheid, and his story is incredible. I was gripped by his every word! Thankful that he put these amazing memories to paper, and that I now know the stories of some of those brave souls who laid down their lives for freedom in SA.