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50 People Who Stuffed Up South Africa
Delving into culture, politics, sports, and war, this list of the worst villains in South Africa's history is inspired by books such as 110 People Who Are Screwing up America. The project provides a solid a roster of people have steered the good ship South Africa firmly in the wrong direction by virtue of their ruinous megalomania, foul beliefs, or general idiocy. Among those profiled are 1652 explorer Jan van Riebeeck, warmonger Lord Milner, Cecil Rhodes, and sports villain Richie Benaud.
206 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 12, 2014
But South Africans are an astonishing people. That we still get up and get on with it, that we stand together and do our best to live ordinary lives in an extraordinary brutal time, suggests that when we are through with this all, when we finally grab our politicians' attention and convince them that, yes, we do in fact have a problem and it's time to do something about it, when we finally reclaimed our streets, then we will soar.
A good friend of mine recommend that I read this book at our last bookclub, and so I took it. I have to be honest and admit that I did not think that I would really enjoy it. I thought it would mostly be a skimming exercise, but I was totally intrigued, and could not put down the book. One of the best things about this book is that the author realized the need for variety, and so included not only politicians. I also loved the tongue in cheek sense of humour (typical to South Africa) throughout the book. I did not take history at school and so found the chapters on people like Lord Kitchener, Dingane, Lord Milner, Andries Pretorius absolutely riveting. The chapter on Julius Malema had me laughing out loud, with statements like:
"But thankfully, Julias Malema is famously stupid. Not for nothing the T-shirt slogan 100% FOR ZUMA, 20% FOR WOODWORK.” I was deeply saddened by the fact the people that got the most mentions was our current and previous president (not that this came as any suprise), and I sincerely hope that things will start changing soon. Sonja, I hope you've bought 50 flippen brilliant South Africans, because I'm definitely next in line to read it.
December 7, 2015
4 ½ stars
This book had all the elements of an award winning novel. It made me laugh, cry, gasp in shock, shake my head in disbelief and nod vigorously in agreement.
Unfortunately it’s not a novel but a true account of how much can go wrong in a country brimming with potential.
This is a very important book for every single South African and even though I am an eternal optimist when it comes to this country of my heart it would be idiotic and naïve to ignore the dark side of South Africa. And as I firmly believe as knowledge is power, buying this book was a way to understand these atrocities better so I don’t have to keep my mouth shut when “professional” whiners just spew negativity about SA, normally blaming everything that goes wrong in their own lives on the corruption in our current Government or on the disadvantages created by Apartheid.
The book shows that corruption, greed and the horrors that this produce is not restricted to the colour of your skin. We have suffered through white dominated, corrupt governments before 1994, comparable to the ANC gravy train in many ways but for the longest time we were just not as privy to this information by way of the media as we are today. Thatprivilege right to information may very soon be taken away from us again if the secrecy bill gets passed.
Not everyone will agree with the entire selection of villains who made the cut for this book but I can guarantee you that everyone will approve with at least ¾. The Zapiro cartoons at the start of almost every chapter were also priceless and I have had more than one very interesting conversation with friends about this book already.
I must confess that I only glanced at the sections about Kevin Petersen and Richie Benaud both who are not South African and in my opinion could have been left out but the rest were all infamous and made for riveting reading. The writing style is equal parts fact, sarcasm and satire and any book that expands the mind while at the same time can spark amazing conversations deserves recommending and that’s why I rounded off my rating to a full 5 stars.
Finally I have a request to all the doomsayers and ex-pats out there who surely will want to devour this book immediately. Stop rubbing your hands together in gleeful shaudenfreude, muttering “I told you so” while polishing your framed emigration papers for a minute and please also read "50 Flippen Brilliant South Africans"
I wanted to include some choice quotes but I marked so many passages that the book ended up looking like a Chinese fan when I was done so I will rather include a passage from the author in the introduction which sums up my feelings:
“While the various and varied characters featured on these pages may have done their best to stuff up this fine land in which we live in, I must declare their collective failure. It’s why I choose to live here, I love this place”
This book had all the elements of an award winning novel. It made me laugh, cry, gasp in shock, shake my head in disbelief and nod vigorously in agreement.
Unfortunately it’s not a novel but a true account of how much can go wrong in a country brimming with potential.
This is a very important book for every single South African and even though I am an eternal optimist when it comes to this country of my heart it would be idiotic and naïve to ignore the dark side of South Africa. And as I firmly believe as knowledge is power, buying this book was a way to understand these atrocities better so I don’t have to keep my mouth shut when “professional” whiners just spew negativity about SA, normally blaming everything that goes wrong in their own lives on the corruption in our current Government or on the disadvantages created by Apartheid.
The book shows that corruption, greed and the horrors that this produce is not restricted to the colour of your skin. We have suffered through white dominated, corrupt governments before 1994, comparable to the ANC gravy train in many ways but for the longest time we were just not as privy to this information by way of the media as we are today. That
Not everyone will agree with the entire selection of villains who made the cut for this book but I can guarantee you that everyone will approve with at least ¾. The Zapiro cartoons at the start of almost every chapter were also priceless and I have had more than one very interesting conversation with friends about this book already.
I must confess that I only glanced at the sections about Kevin Petersen and Richie Benaud both who are not South African and in my opinion could have been left out but the rest were all infamous and made for riveting reading. The writing style is equal parts fact, sarcasm and satire and any book that expands the mind while at the same time can spark amazing conversations deserves recommending and that’s why I rounded off my rating to a full 5 stars.
Finally I have a request to all the doomsayers and ex-pats out there who surely will want to devour this book immediately. Stop rubbing your hands together in gleeful shaudenfreude, muttering “I told you so” while polishing your framed emigration papers for a minute and please also read "50 Flippen Brilliant South Africans"
I wanted to include some choice quotes but I marked so many passages that the book ended up looking like a Chinese fan when I was done so I will rather include a passage from the author in the introduction which sums up my feelings:
“While the various and varied characters featured on these pages may have done their best to stuff up this fine land in which we live in, I must declare their collective failure. It’s why I choose to live here, I love this place”
May 16, 2019
Informative, entertaining and a good laugh. Alexander Parker writes well and has given everyone across the board a fair share in the dissing limelight.
When I mean across the board- there is such a diverse group of people who have had their fingers, toes and hands in royally fucking up things for South Africans.
From the ordinary guy sitting next to Alex at a dinner, to business men, warlords and presidents.
This book is a serious history lesson with great satire and lovely cartoons to go with.
I want to give it 5 stars because Alex has written this so well ... but I had to skim past some people mentioned because I didn’t find them compelling enough.
This has really provided some insight into why South Africa stands as it is today and I really recommend it to anyone interested in the country itself or even the surrounding countries.
When I mean across the board- there is such a diverse group of people who have had their fingers, toes and hands in royally fucking up things for South Africans.
From the ordinary guy sitting next to Alex at a dinner, to business men, warlords and presidents.
This book is a serious history lesson with great satire and lovely cartoons to go with.
I want to give it 5 stars because Alex has written this so well ... but I had to skim past some people mentioned because I didn’t find them compelling enough.
This has really provided some insight into why South Africa stands as it is today and I really recommend it to anyone interested in the country itself or even the surrounding countries.
May 11, 2012
I shouldn't laugh when I read a book like this, but I guess that's our coping mechanism here in South Africa. It actually makes for depressing reading to see what useless specimens have been in powerful positions here over the years. The author takes comfort from the fact that we have survived our leaders, but how many didn't survive thugs like Verwoerd and PW Botha, or heartless idiots like Manto? Too many to count.
I like the fact that he digs into history and includes characters like Cecil John Rhodes, surely one of the nastiest most ruthless motherfuckers to have ever come here from England. It gives me great pleasure to read that Rhodes didn't much care about money. What interested him was power, influence and legacy. Now his legacy lies in shreds. Rest in peace, you evil motherfucker!
May 7, 2013
South Africans need PERSPECTIVE!! The whities need to remember their evils a.k.a Verwoerd, Malan, Basson, Botha, De Kock and get off their high horse (Terre'blanche)
The Brits need to remember their sins in the form of Lords Milner, Kitchener and Rhodes.
Only then can we turn our gaze and together, Simunye... Appreciate Malema, Mbeki, Zuma, Manto and the rest.
An absolutely brilliant read!! The best written book I've read..... (I dare say...) EVER!!
The Brits need to remember their sins in the form of Lords Milner, Kitchener and Rhodes.
Only then can we turn our gaze and together, Simunye... Appreciate Malema, Mbeki, Zuma, Manto and the rest.
An absolutely brilliant read!! The best written book I've read..... (I dare say...) EVER!!
January 25, 2018
I enjoyed this tongue in cheek book a lot more than I thought I would. Really fun way of getting to know some of the key historic figures in South Africa!
June 6, 2018
Interesting read...Humorous and insightful snap-shots of South African history.
Read
April 11, 2020Really funny reading. Worth the laugh
Read
November 13, 2022Kerry bookclub 2022
November 30, 2024
A fascinating tour of our rogues gallery. Very well written short articles.
September 19, 2013
Emerging out of a long period under a police state, South Africa has a very murky past and rather uncertain present. As such it also has a large rogue's gallery of people who did much to damage the country and its people. One can easily also write a book about 50 people who made South Africa great, but a title like this one was going to inevitably appear. It plays too well into the nation's psyche.
Alexander Parker writes well, with a certain dry glibness that suits the topic. His choice of people is also both enlightening and a bit predictable: Apartheid stalwarts, colonial era thugs, current corrupt politicians and more all make the grade. In certain ways the book also delivers some nice history lessons and, regardless of how you feel about the various essays, you do learn something. Still, when someone remarked that the book had a touch of Michael Moore sensationalism, I can see what they meant.
More disappointing are Zapiro's illustrations. A hugely popular and outspoken cartoonist, his art is the perfect companion to the essays. Sadly most appear to be re-purposed from older work and there is no real thematic balance or consistency between the pictures. Some are incredibly benign, given their subject (H.F. Verwoerd, architect of Apartheid, is basically a statue lacking any metaphors detailing his atrocities). Basically, Zapiro's contributions feel like a licensing afterthought, not an involved collaboration.
That aside, this is a quick and breezy read with enough to it to make the time worthwhile. It does skip some people - I'm curious why the notorious Harry Smith didn't get a mention. But maybe those are being held for a sequel...
Alexander Parker writes well, with a certain dry glibness that suits the topic. His choice of people is also both enlightening and a bit predictable: Apartheid stalwarts, colonial era thugs, current corrupt politicians and more all make the grade. In certain ways the book also delivers some nice history lessons and, regardless of how you feel about the various essays, you do learn something. Still, when someone remarked that the book had a touch of Michael Moore sensationalism, I can see what they meant.
More disappointing are Zapiro's illustrations. A hugely popular and outspoken cartoonist, his art is the perfect companion to the essays. Sadly most appear to be re-purposed from older work and there is no real thematic balance or consistency between the pictures. Some are incredibly benign, given their subject (H.F. Verwoerd, architect of Apartheid, is basically a statue lacking any metaphors detailing his atrocities). Basically, Zapiro's contributions feel like a licensing afterthought, not an involved collaboration.
That aside, this is a quick and breezy read with enough to it to make the time worthwhile. It does skip some people - I'm curious why the notorious Harry Smith didn't get a mention. But maybe those are being held for a sequel...
Read
July 16, 2012This is a really fascinating book. Parker has an evil wit that really gets down to the nitty-gritty, and his sense of fun is evident on every page you turn.
50 people who stuffed up South Africa is a fairly comprehensive look at those South Africans (and others) who have led the country along a path of conflict, violence, corrupt politicians and incompetent leaders. The very first person named is Randall Abrams, although this seems to be more of a personal grudge.
After this, Parker gets down to the real problems facing South Africa, and the people responsible for putting us in this position.
I always thought I knew a lot of SA history, but Parker enlightened me on several issues of which I was naively unaware. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking to learn a little of SA's turbulent past, while laughing at ourselves for allowing it to happen in the first place.
50 people who stuffed up South Africa is a fairly comprehensive look at those South Africans (and others) who have led the country along a path of conflict, violence, corrupt politicians and incompetent leaders. The very first person named is Randall Abrams, although this seems to be more of a personal grudge.
After this, Parker gets down to the real problems facing South Africa, and the people responsible for putting us in this position.
I always thought I knew a lot of SA history, but Parker enlightened me on several issues of which I was naively unaware. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking to learn a little of SA's turbulent past, while laughing at ourselves for allowing it to happen in the first place.
May 25, 2012
A tour of the mad, bad and just plain incompetent in South Africa's history, from 1652 to (almost) present day. A litany of how badly the country has been served over centuries, but also a comment on those who blithely voted in these "leaders".
De Klerk and Mandela are the only honourable exclusions to a line of nasty Prime Ministers/Presidents stretching back from today to 1948, but the author manages to find space for an assortment of Cabinet Ministers, sports personalities, and men in the street as well as Jan van Riebeck, the founding father of white South Africa, and the truly repulsive and repugnant Cecil Rhodes, robber baron extraordinary.
De Klerk and Mandela are the only honourable exclusions to a line of nasty Prime Ministers/Presidents stretching back from today to 1948, but the author manages to find space for an assortment of Cabinet Ministers, sports personalities, and men in the street as well as Jan van Riebeck, the founding father of white South Africa, and the truly repulsive and repugnant Cecil Rhodes, robber baron extraordinary.
March 24, 2011
Depressing content but handled in a delightfully humorous style, it is both informative and entertaining. I loved Parker's command of the English language.
Read
February 18, 2013brilliant. We all want bad news or sad stories of disappointment told in the funniest of ways...long live steve hoffmeyer.
September 14, 2014
Hilarious and informative.
August 3, 2015
Eye opening.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews