The Third Prophecy

by Ahmed Essop

An ironic and witty look at the political landscape of present-day South Africa; richly satirical and highly topical, this is compelling and brave fiction 'I predict, firstly, that a star will soon set in the political firmament. Secondly, that this country is going to pass through a dark phase in the coming years. And thirdly, that there will be a recovery when a Muslim becomes the president.' Soon after the African Front convincingly wins the second democratic election, the beloved president suddenly resigns, without prior warning. After a demotion, and a series of unpleasant and unlucky incidents, cabinet minister Dr Salman Khan's life is thrown into turmoil. He begins to accept as true the predictions of Mr Roma, the university educated 'prophet' whose final comment on a television panel discussion suggests an unexpected political future. Dr Salman Khan comes to believe that the third prophecy refers to him - with decidedly unsettling results!

156 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2004

About the author

Ahmed Essop was born in 1931 in India but grew up in Johannesburg. He attended the University of South Africa where he obtained a BA in 1956 and later an honours degree.

Employed as a teacher until 1986, Essop gave up teaching to pursue writing full-time. Much of his work focuses on Indians and their roles in South African society, and include racial themes of apartheid.