In Your Face: Passionate Conversations About People and Politics

by Rhoda Kadalie

A fearless take on the state of our nation from one of South Africa’s most controversial commentators. This collection of Rhoda Kadalie’s best columns include sections on public figures such as Cyril Ramaphosa, Allan Boesak and Winnie Mandela, “troubled transformation”, “media meekness”, “foreign fumbles” and more. “These columns portray a deep sense of the ANC’s betrayal of those who overwhelmingly voted it into office in 1994 … Mbeki’s policies failed women regarding crime, women’s health, sexual violence, and HIV/AIDS. He also failed the poor...”

262 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Wayne Jordaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My oh my, it is a wonder that there is still a country called South Africa. This collection of Ms Kadalie's writing over the early years of our democratic transition certainly has us going downhill fast. Maybe there is a collection of articles wherein she acknowledges the good that has been achieved in spite of the tremendous challenges, brought about by both historical injustices which are further entrenched by a neo-liberal global regime in which the cards are stacked against lesser developed countries such as our own. I cannot help but agree with the sentiments expressed in a letter in which the correspondent identify an overt antagonism towards the ruling party in which the achievements of the government are ascribed to the government nut the failures of government immediately becomes a failure of the ruling party. For the record however I would like to point out that a number of the ills that she identified in this collection of articles are indeed challenges that we have to address in our continued evolution towards the state envisaged in South Africa's Bill of Rights.

[Esmeralda Plangesis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended reading for anyone interested in the latest socio-economic developments in contemporary South Africa since the first Democratic elections.

In her own words "If anything, these columns portray a deep sense of the African National Congress' betrayal of those who overwhelmingly voted it into office in 1994. Today the poor and the marginalized feel particularly aggrieved and as a feminist activist I align myself fully with this cause." (Rhoda Kadalie. p.7)

[Margitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhoda Kadalie does not mince words when expressing her opinion about the South African landscape. She is known as an fearless activist that also understand the mindset of the people of the country.
She is a very welcome female voice in Africa. Great read!