The Other Side of History: An Anecdotal Reflection on Political Transition in South Africa

by Frederik van Zyl Slabbert

One thing the 'old' and 'new' South Africa have in common is a passion for inventing history. History is not seen as a dispassionate inquiry into what happened, but rather as part of political mobilisation promoting some form of collective self-interest. Not for one second do I pretend to know the 'whole' or 'real' story of what happened in the old South Africa, or what is happening in the 'new'. I know that significant parts of what has been, or is being invented, are not the way I experienced them. This is a personal reflection on a fascinating period in my life which coincided with fundamental shifts in the political life of South Africa. I was fortunate to be in a position where I knew and had access to persons of influence across the political spectrum. This is my account of their interaction with each other and mine with them. - Frederick van Zyl Slabbert

Genres: Nonfiction, South Africa

174 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book I should've read nearer its time of publication. My long-time hero, F van Zyk Slabbert, reveals with some disillusionment and even bitterness (?) the political conniving that went on behind the scenes from the 80s to 2005. I remain his admirer for what he did on Goree Island, at Dakar, for IDASA and generally for moving SA towards a democracy. I didn't find this an easy read; VZS was so intent on putting down his side of many stories (confirming for me that Mandela, Mbeki and De Klerk all compromised their integrity) that I think he lost sight of his readers.
He would've been 72years old today; he died in 2010 and his passing was barely noticed. RIP.