Eight Days in September

by Frank Chikane

Eight Days in September is a riveting, behind-the-scenes account of the turbulent eight-day period in September 2008 that led to the removal of Thabo Mbeki as president of South Africa.As secretary of the cabinet and head (director-general) of the presidency at the time, Frank Chikane was directly responsible for managing the transition from Mbeki to Kgalema Motlanthe, and then on to Jacob Zuma, and was one of only a few who had a front-row seat to the unfolding drama.Eight Days in September builds substantially on the so-called Chikane Files, a series of controversial articles Chikane published with Independent Newspapers in July 2010, to provide an insider’s perspective on this key period in South Africa’s recent history, and to explore Thabo Mbeki’s legacy.

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

271 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sicelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Chikane has taken a brave and commendable step in documenting the events of the week leading up to, as well as the immediate aftermath of the removal of Thabo Mbeki as South Africa's state President. In many respects, South Africans in general needed an insider's perspective of what happened on that fateful and frightful week when the ruling party eventually and angrily turned on one of its own - a long serving member and dedicated cadre who previously served as deputy president to Nelson Mandela from 1994 to 1999, only to succeed him in the next two general elections and during which he enjoyed an increased voter majority in the South Africa parliament (1999-2004 and 2004-2007).

Naturally, the author carefully relates the story of the 'recall' of Mbeki without so much as giving more than he can legally reveal as most information is still classified and he is also legally obliged not to share more. Yet, the story is told in such detail as to continue to evoke emotions - from the Preface to the last Chapter - leaving an involved and affected South African reader wondering about what might have really been the issue that led to the ANC - a widely trusted, supported liberation political organisation - to go the length that it did to remove Mbeki even as his government performance remained without fault up to that point in delivering on ANC policy as decided at various stages.
It is a good read but one that certainly requires a follow-up and which Chikane has promised. Thabo Mbeki's story has not been fully told, notwithstanding Chikane's gutsy attempt with this one book so far.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected: more information on the constitutional issues around Pres. Mbeki's removal than I was aware of - which was good and also re-iterated the importance of separation of party and state. It was a lovely eulogy to the presidency of Thabo Mbeki. However I have two complaints: firstly I felt that it could have benefited from a tighter edit - there was so much repetition and the structure gave the impression of being written in bits for various publications or uses. The space saved could have used to give more context for the foreign, non-South Africa reader. But the discreteness about the factions behind the removal of Mbeki (state secrecy and litigation aside) made this a disappointing read. While not asking to point fingers I would have appreciated a much more in-depth analysis and thoughts about the factions within the ANC/ tri-partite alliance: how they arose, how they operate and how they affect the whole running of the party and ultimately the direction of South Africa.

[Liesl Louw-Vaudran · Rating 2 out of 5]

I probably expected too much from this book, bit it is as if a long newspaper article has been dragged out to turn it into a book. There is far too much repitition and disclaimers. Half of the book is about Chikane explaining why he can't write about certain things, well then rather not write a book. Though I think highly of Chikane and I'll try his other book.

[Mphokolo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good synopsis of South Africa's constitution, with respect to the presidency, and governance across the African continent. Given the title of the book, was expecting a lot more detail/scoop on what actually happened during the time Mbeki was removed from office. Without taking away the subject matter and content, more so the fact that it captures the African continent and not just SA, elaborating on the SA constritution and governance overshadows the title, perhaps an alternative title would have been more apt. Liked the way Rev Chikane uses sesotho to elaborate/express himself throughout the book..classic from "ba leka presidente joale" to "ha ba holisoa hantle" and "maka ha a na maoto a melele"..lol

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book could not elucidate fully on the politics of the recall nor on the nature of Thabo Mbeki's state of mind at the time, it has restored my belief that Mr Mbeki was a worthy President that did not deserve the treatment he received. That being said I think his aloofness and perhaps perceived unwillingness to suffer fools is what may well have been his achilles heel. I am certain now that without him and his style of government we may well have found ourselves in a far worse situation today. Sometimes the iron fist in a glove is what is required in order to forge a new nation coming from the circumstances we found ourselves in. I'd like to give thanks and gratitude to Rev Chikane for this offering.

[Zozo Mogoera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in that I took up book thinking I would learn about Thabo Mbeki from Frank's eyes but it was more about Frank himself & how he tries to explain how important & grand his role was in ANC.

I suspect, he thought if he did not write this, his story would never be told.

[Nokulunga · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book didn't live up to the hype. I found it one sided; a praise to former president Mbeki. In truth, I hated it. I feel the title should have been 'An Ode to President Thabo Mbeki'. I'm glad I didn't buy it.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insider perspective......the other-side that the normal public would not have ordinarily been privy to. An absolute "must read"...

[Smangele Belebesi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book only because it gave me an insider's perspective on those couple of days events. More about Chikane than anyone else but still helpful none the less.

[Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives a good overview of the run up to the removal of Thabo Mbeki as president of South Africa.

At points the message does come across as hero worship, but I suppose that was the author's intention. It does paint a picture of Mbeki as an Africanist leader and delves into his work in centering Africa in the global discourse, where his contribution was immense.

The author fails to really grapple with the ambivalence of Mbeki's legacy, especially relating to his government's stance on HIV/AIDS and the involvement of the TAC as well GEAR and the sacrificing of the NDP; and repeatedly chooses to gloss over what were major issues to poor South Africans.

From someone who was on the inside during this time, the author doesn't really offer much novel information, but I think this must be understood in terms of the book being released in 2012, as well as the author's aversion to revealing any information that could be seen as confidential or personal.

[Tafadzwa Kwaramba · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book goes into detail about the removal of Thabo Mbeki from office after he had been thumped by Jacob Zuma at the ANC conference in 2007. While the book has some useful anecdotes, it disappointingly reads as a hagiographic text of the author attempting to protect the legacy of his former boss and the author creates a binary narrative surrounding the forced resignation of Thabo Mbeki. Another disappointing aspect of the book is that there is a lot of self censoring as the author repeatedly says some information is still classified and hence the author did not go into detail but leaves the readers with nothing but his interpretation of events rather than giving the reader the full events to interpret for themeselves

[Lesego · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book, because of the title. I m not into politics but the removal of President Thabo Mbeki got me hooked. Quiet interesting.

[Elfas Salfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book

[Saidi Mdala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me back to a bitter sweet motherland and made this one big statement: "Africa will one day (soon) regain it's position of the pinnacle 'nation' it was ordained to be, and it is every African's responsibility to play their part, however small, to make that day come sooner than later!" Here is a great place to start: Do whatever you are doing the very best way you can and with the highest level of integrity- a great lesson from former president Thabo Mbeki.

I recommend this book to you and I hope to read Mbeki's authorised biography soon.

[Zanele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though some of the issues leading up to the removal of Thabo Mbeki was highlighted in the media, the intention of reading this book was to get more accurate information. The title yells "DETAILS TO BE FOUND INSIDE" but what I found inside did not live up to my expectation.

[The Contented · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book somewhat disappointing - not least because it didn't really tell me what I wanted to know about the 'recall' of Thabo Mbeki. Some good points - the ex-post revisionism that downplayed all of the economic achievements of the Mbeki years (as if to suggest that there was nothing apart from mass discontent), as well as the questionable constitutionality of the recall itself. But who was ultimately responsible? The book hints that foreign powers may have been involved - analogies are drawn with the Nkrumah case. ('The Nkrumah case is instructive. Declassified foreign intelligence reports that some powers welcomed his removal, considering that their programs and strategies had succeeded. In the case of Mbeki we will have to wait until intelligence records are declassified by the various countries which were involved in the matter'). Fascinating - but this means that I will have to wait for another book.

PS. The book could have done with better editing. Much that was repetitive, which took away from the points being made.

[Helene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to qualify the three stars: The other two are not there, because
1. I don't like politics.
2. I don't like politics.
So three stars is the best that any political book would score with me.

That said: This is a really scary book that I think should be read by every South African.
On the one hand, it was a bit tedious at times, but on the other, I can understand why Rev Chikane wanted to say the same things over and over again. He had to cover himself from every side.

Reverend, I have the utmost respect for your work. If there is one man willing to do what you have done, I will always have hope for my country.

[Jaco Griesel · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK, technically I only got to 81% of this book on my Kindle. It sucked the life out of me! This must be the most boring book I've ever read. Frank Chikane had the opportunity to really give the reader some behind-the-scenes and never-before revealed glimpses of working in the presidency during this time of turmoil. Instead he chose to focus on singing Thabo Mbeki's praise and repeating the known and obvious - ad nauseam! Not a good read at all...

[Nyakallo Lephoto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eight Days in September is a very biased recollection of the last days of Thabo Mbeki as president of South Africa.

The story is told by one of Mbeki's most trusted men, Rev Frank Chikane; frankly speaking the book sings praises of Mbeki and paints everyone that opposed him as evil.

A great insider account of events we would otherwise have ever known of. Worth a read, yet with an open mind.
Download Book Review in Sesotho: https://www.datafilehost.com/d/9f5daea3 6/10

[Thando · Rating 4 out of 5]

FC gave us a brilliant but less detailed view of the removal of TM and understanding the government process and what differentiates parliament, the Constitution and the ruling party, ANC. It's an interesting book to read...not so easy to read but definitely 'difficult to put it down' kind of a book.

[Thabiso Motshegoa]

Brilliant insight into the saga surrounding the removal of TM. Only wish that the book was written during the time when one info was declassified, until such time we will never know why TM was removed...only speculation.

[Bruce Harbour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst it covered the essentials, it spent too much time embroidering the key details and I found the book unnecessarily long and a bit tedious, which explains why I read other books during this read.

[Gillion Bosman · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book I lost respect for leaders I have held in high regard. I wish more insight into the decision making of South Africa's government could be written about with such passion for the country. Albeit at great personal cost.

[Maudillo]

Once you start reading this book you can't put it down.

[Cathie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult going, but am glad, as an African Renaissance enthusiast, to understand more about Mbeki, his thinking, and also to have a fresh look at some South African undercurrents. Not an easy read!

[Pale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insider story was good, very biased but at least we have an idea of what happended in Polokwane.

[Unathi Ngada · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read! I wish more was to be revealed as to who indeed was behind the former president's removal.

[Genevieve · Rating 2 out of 5]

I battled to get through this book. It was not written very well and is very repetitive.

[Phaks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It pains me that there were parts he could not divulge because it's classified information.

[Geoffrey Abrams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the Constitution of RSA did not provide for the resignation of the President in the way it was contemplated by the ANC at the time, Thabo Mbeki honored its wishes. One had to reflect on that era this happened, seeing that we were faced recently with an 'emotion of no confidence' in our current President. One is left wondering whether in December 2017 or January 2019 will bring this scenario to play itself again?