About the BookAs a spokesman for a country, a continent and the developing world, Thabo Mbeki plays a crucial role in world politics, but to many people he is an enigma. Is this simply because Mbeki is a secretive man, or are there complicated political factors at play? In this book, experienced journalist William Gumede pulls together the insights he has gained from years of reporting on the Mbeki presidency to create a sophisticated but easy-to-read account of South Africa's seat of power. He explores the complex position that Mbeki occupies - following in Nelson Mandela's footsteps, heading a party with roots as a liberation movement, and ruling an intensely divided country. Revealing the political and personal tensions behind the scenes, Gumede explains the forces that have created one of the world's most powerful and enigmatic leaders. Covering Mbeki's attempts to modernise the economy and kick-start an African Renaissance, and investigating his controversial stance on issues from AIDS to Zimbabwe, the book offers invaluable insights into the arcane machinations behind political decisions that touch the lives of millions every day.
Read William Gumede OnlineNEW! 21.05.08: Failing Its People - An Article on South Africa by William Gumede in The Guardian Read Articles by William Gumede in: The New Statesman, The Independent and The Guardian Commendations'A timely, well-written and important book.' - The Economist 'Most journalists tend to reduce Thabo Mbeki, one of the world's most fascinating and complex political figures, to a few crude brushstrokes. William Gumede's achievement is to have fashioned a subtle and comprehensive portrait of the South African president and ANC leader that captures him in all his contradictions. Through meticulous reporting and artful synthesis, the author unravels the politics behind Mbeki's views on the economy, HIV/AIDS, Zimbabwe, and black economic empowerment. While other Mbeki biographies are in the works, Gumede's book promises to make a solid and lasting contribution to our understanding of the man and the post-apartheid order he did so much to create.' - John Reed, South Africa correspondent, Financial Times '[Gumede] has presented us with a vivid and kinetic picture, a movable feast in a court where he advocates that a place be made for extra players'. - Sunday Independent (Maureen Isaacson) 'I happened to be in South Africa when William Gumede's book first came out and watched as it inspired apoplectic fits of rage (and clandestine delight…) at the highest reaches of the ANC government. Finally the real story of how Thabo Mbeki had betrayed the founding principles of the Party was being told -- and the person shining the flashlight into the backrooms was one of the country's most respected investigative journalists and a third generation ANC loyalist. This is a definitive account of how one of the greatest liberation struggles of our time failed millions of people in whose name it fought, told with revelatory research, a cool head and expert storytelling.' - Naomi Klein, author "No Logo" 'The information Gumede provides on the ANC's metamorphosis, some of it revealed for the first time, is invaluable to a more complete understanding of key events in South Africa over the last decade.' - Cape Times 'This book will set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons. The ANC's usual labelling of critics as 'sellouts' or 'elites' bent on discrediting the government or the president, just won't do as a response. Indeed, how President Mbeki and the ANC leadership respond to this book will be a test for our new democracy.' - Heindrwich Wyngaard, Political Editor, Rapport. 'An essential read for anyone interested in South African current affairs and the Mbeki administration. Gumede goes where others fear to tread.' - Angela Quintai, Group Political Editor ,Independent Newspapers 'Packed with detail and context...For those either with an interest in South Africa or seeking to learn from South Africa's experiences of what happens when liberation movements take power and how the interests of those who suffered most from apartheid were betrayed, this 430-page volume will be a gripping read.' - Peace News ‘Within South African’s post-apartheid story, Mbeki has been the seminal player; and Gumede, as a top journalist, provides a treasure-trove of facts about the unfolding Mbeki-saga…for anyone interested in understanding post-apartheid South Africa, Gumede’s book is well worth a read.’ - Australian Review of Public Affairs, April 2008 'This book offers invaluable insights' - New People 'Eagerly anticipated' - South Africa Magazine Contents1. Freedom's Long Walk About the AuthorWilliam M Gumede is Senior Associate and Oppenheimer Fellow, St. Antony’s College, Oxford. He is on the faculty of the Graduate School of Public & Development Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He writes a blog on global politics for the Washington Post. He was Deputy Editor of The Sowetan newspaper in Johannesburg. He is a contributing author to the New History of South Africa, Tafelberg Publishers, 2007. His forthcoming book, The Democracy Gap – Africa’s Wasted Years, Zed Books is released in 2008. |
