The Plot to Save South Africa: The Week Mandela Averted Civil War and Forged a New Nation

In The Plot to Save South Africa, Justice Malala recounts the nine days that set the course of a nation in 1993, when a white supremacist shot Nelson Mandela's young heir apparent, Chris Hani. Malala reveals rarely seen sides of both Mandela and de Klerk, the behind-the-scenes debates within their parties, and their desperate attempts to restrain their supporters. The book offers an illuminating look at successful leadership in action and a terrifying reminder of how close a country came to civil war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

In the aftermath of Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990, South Africa was in a state of flux. The country was still deeply divided along racial lines, and tensions were high between the black majority and the white minority government. On Easter weekend in 1993, a white supremacist named Eugene Terre'blanche shot and killed Mandela's popular young heir apparent, Chris Hani. This event was a turning point in South African history, and it set the stage for a series of events that would ultimately lead to the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic, multiracial South Africa.

In his book "The Plot to Save South Africa," acclaimed South African journalist Justice Malala recounts the riveting story of the next nine days, which have never before been told in full. The book offers a rare insight into the minds of both Mandela and FW de Klerk, the presidents of South Africa at the time of Hani's murder. It also provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the debates within each of their parties over whether to pursue peace or war.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part focuses on the immediate aftermath of Hani's murder, as Mandela and de Klerk struggle to come to terms with the tragedy and to prevent it from escalating into a full-blown civil war. The second part explores the negotiations that took place between Mandela and de Klerk in the weeks and months that followed, as they tried to find a way to bring their followers together and to plot a way forward. The third part examines the legacy of Hani's murder and the impact it had on South African society.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Plot to Save South Africa" is the way that Justice Malala weaves together history with a narrative that reads like a novel. The book is filled with memorable characters, including Terre'blanche, who was eventually convicted of Hani's murder and sentenced to life in prison. Malala also provides a detailed account of the political and social climate in South Africa at the time, which was characterized by widespread frustration and anger over the continued existence of apartheid.

Despite the tragic events that took place.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 161 x 242 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471194511