After Mandela: The Battle for the Soul of South Africa

by Alec Russell

When Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress declared victory over the bitter injustice of apartheid, some thought South Africa's future was assured. But despite Mandela’s mission of reconciliation, rampant inequality remains; race relations are uneasy, violence is endemic and many in the ANC appear to have lost sight of the liberation ideals. With the election in 2009 of Jacob Zuma, a charismatic populist embroiled in scandal, uncertainty over the trajectory of the nation has only intensified.

South Africa now stands at a crossroads, and award-winning journalist Alec Russell draws on his deep knowledge of the country to tell us how it got there and to give us a compelling account, revised and updated for this edition, of the journey from Mandela to Zuma.

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

Paperback

First published May 7, 2009

Reviews

[thereadytraveller · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely readable account of the history and issues facing the Rainbow Nation post emergence from the Apartheid era. The author provides a balanced viewpoint across a range of topics, including those of crime, AIDS, how each of South Africa's Presidents has performed since 1994. With a look to the future, Russell also considers how the Afrikans people have fared and what may lie ahead for the nation.

Well worth introductory reading to get a good understanding of how South Africa has arrived to where it is today, although as it was written in 2009, it is not completely up to date with current events.

[William Boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Mandela by Alex Russell is a journalistic narrative and history about South Africa during the end of Apartheid, and the aftermath up until the election of Jacob Zuma. The author writes as a journalist, using quotes and experiences to fill the book, not scholarly examinations and conclusions. This is a book to expand your understanding of South Africa after the end of Apartheid using first hand accounts, and it works decently well.

The book is a little over 200 pages, although some of that are notes and acknowledgments after the true book ends. It is split into about 10 chapters, covering most of the landmark situations of a democratic South Africa under majority rule. Each chapter is introduced as a standalone account, with new people being cited and interviewed for each chapter, usually from the 1990s and the 2000s. They deal in many problems and events, such as the collapse of Zimbabwe, growing Chinese influence, and the high murder rate.

As the book is over a decade old and it deals in current events, of course it is outdated nowadays in some regards, such as the optimistic outlook towards the situation of South Africa and its future, as well as optimism towards Jacob Zuma, but it is still a worthwhile read if you are interested in how the country got to where it is now.

The author does not really have too many of his own takes, but primarily just tells you events that happened by interviewing people who lived through it, as well as his own experiences in the country. This does not leave much room for the author to hold biases, but I do believe he has a slight bias towards the ANC, but you can ignore that if you want. Heather does not bend any facts or anything, he was just optimistic.

Overall I would recommend this book to people interested in South Africa, specifically current South Africa, but for other people I don’t think you would get much out of this book.

[Aditya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good assessment of South Africa during years of Mbeki's presidency (starts with transition from Mandela, ends with rise of Zuma). Uses a wealth of interviews, anecdotes, and historical perspective to cover all key areas of the society - the party, the violence, failure to deliver, Afrikaners, AIDS, BEE, Zimbabwe and more.
It had its slow moments, specially in the beginning, and a tiny bit of (Western?) proselytising, but they are rare.
3.5* upgraded to 4 🙂

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a pity that this book could not continue up to today , it was written about ten years ago, because it’s a really interesting and well informed examination of South African politics.
I learned a lot from this well written, balanced and well researched book

[Rivka Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing prose, and full of first-hand interviews, stories and factual accounts, this book is an excellent description of the challenges facing South Africa post-apartheid. Even though it was written a decade ago, much of what it describes is still just as current today.

[Lesly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent.

[Ian . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about the history of South Africa, about the end of the apartheid regime and the struggles that followed.

[Alex Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good short history of post-Mandela SA. Pretty grim, but well written and compelling.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was feeling nostalgic for South Africa after the World Cup so when I saw this in the bookstore I had to pick it up. Why? Well becaues I spent my senior project on this, what does South Africa do now? After Apartheid and after Mandela? What will a new generation with no ties to that era do to move the country forward? Is it even possible to say 'no ties to *that* era' aka Apartheid.

Alec Russell was formerly the Johannesburg bureau chief for the Financial Times, speaking with South Africans since the early 90s. Living there - don't think for quite as long. Anyway, he knows the country, at least as well as anyone could and is fair in his criticisms and praise. What didn't Mandela do? He did not tackle AIDS. Why? It was a politically unpopular topic.
What about Mbeki? He surrounded himself with cronies due to his experience as an exile (paranoia was rampant). But what did he do? He was the guy who pushed for the economic reforms that made South Africa the leader of the continent.

And now the great wild card - Jacob Zuma. He's good at saying the right things, and he can give South Africa a confident leader and play African politics, but can he actually push real issues through? Or will he just be another personality?

If you're interested in South Africa, it's worth a read. Russell doesn't make any excuses but doesn't unfairly bash either.

[Mark Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently visited South Africa (and in particular Robben Island and Soweto) and came across many of the social and political factors myself in this book on my trip, not to mention visiting in the immediate period before the election win for Zuma, I was incredibly fascinated on hearing the take of Alec Russell, a seasoned and experienced correspondent in the country for the Financial Times. His book is anecdotal, the arguments and points he raises are just and thought out and incisive and the stories he has are quite readable, whether it be about the shocking violence of a whole culture or talking about personal conversations he has had with the great and the good of the country. Recommended.

[Beth]

Great basic intro to post mandela south Africa - I used it to give some background on main economic and social themes to inform a work trip to sa. Only quibble is that tha author as a British bbc journalist is too much of an outsider to give really searing insight into south African politics. But for those wanting a quick overview and easy read it is perfect.

[Andrew Doran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for anyone who wants to understand the dynamics of key issues in recent South African history. Despite the title, the author does a good job of explaining the relevant historical contexts that led up to the challenges of the past two decades. Reading Mandela���s ���Long Walk To Freedom��� beforehand is recommended if you want to go even deeper into the history.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most helpful book I've read so far about the post-1994 life of South Africa. As a newcomer to the country, it really helped fill in some gaps for me, in a manner that was both enlightening and interesting. I would recommend this to anyone who is following the ongoing life of South Africa.

[Betty]

Haven't finished reading yet but that is because it is book of political science and I don't usually read such things.

It provides a good insight into the politics of South Africa post-Mandela. Very interesting the was Russell compares and distinguishes South Africa from other African nations.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, nuanced and informative book about post-Apartheid South Africa. Explores the tensions within a state that has shaken off a racist regime and replaced it with one that is better but far from perfect.

[Lameez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and well-informed. But I'm waiting for the inside scoop on the ANC!

[the Kent cryptid · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible and informative overview of South Africa in the years since the end of apartheid, focusing on areas such as land reform, business, policing, HIV, and the internal struggles of the ANC.

[Connor Leech · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dated now but great educational book about SA