In Light Of The Death Of Nelson Mandella, I Would Like To Recommend A Book

[hc4361]

This book is not easy reading but does help to explain the situation in South Africa for black people before apartheid in a 'real' way.
It is over 40 years since I first read it and it has never left me

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6150.Cry_the_Beloved_Country

[woofgang]

I was almost born in South Africa. My father was a CSM had worked with Basuto (Now Lesotho) troops through the second world war. The men trusted him with their lives and he trusted them with his. When the war ended, he was put to repatriating the african troops, travelling on the ship with them and operating the demob when they got ashore. He had been offered a job managing men on (I think) a large farm. He was a country boy from Yorkshire and it would have suited him down to the ground.
Anyway he was travelling by train in SA, no idea where and waiting on the station, he met one of his men, now back in civvy street. They chatted and then as you would, shook hands. A policeman who had been watching came over and said that it was against the law to treat a black man like an equal and threatened them both with jail. My dad was sensible enough not to lose it with a policeman but that changed his mind about settling in SA.

[hc4361]

I am not at all surprised, woofgang. It is impossible for us in the UK to comprehend the reality of South Africa at that time, it is shocking people were treated less than human.
It is still going on in different countries across the world, we can but hope for better times for them.

[SeaJayPea]

It's a magnificent book, Highly recommend it.

[ummmm]

Thanks, hc, have added it to favourites.