Jeremy vannie Elsies

by Jeremy Vearey

Van laaitie tot politieke kryger, bandiet tot generaal-majoor, ondergrondse operateur tot presidensi�le lyfwag... Jeremy Vearey se lewe het talle onvoorspelbare wendings geneem. Sy eiesoortige vertelling sluit in die ooms by die damstafel, skoolhou en ondergrondse werk vir MK, en sy aanhouding op Robbeneiland. Later, in die SAPD, takel hy terrorisme en Kaapse bendes. En onder alles loop 'n donker stroom...

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2018

Reviews

[Evert de Ruiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! What a rush... You know you’re in for a treat when the reading experience thrashes the already glowing reviews...

The content was compelling, but what was even more rewarding was the author’s tear-inducingly beautiful command of the Afrikaans language.

I admittedly selfishly, and sincerely hope this book never gets translated, but that’s asking for too much.

Another mandatory book for the citizens of this amazingly dichotomous land of ours.

[Brad Sitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read. As a Mitchell's Plain born person, reading such a great book about my home town, surrounds and global contexts is a privilege. Die man kan skryf!

[Andy – And The Plot Thickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teacher, MK activist, Robben Island prisoner, Nelson Mandela's bodyguard, police officer. Jeremy Vearey has been all these things and more.

Growing up in Elsies River on the Cape Flats during the 60s and 70s, Vearey has colourful tales of its people, including the gangs. It's also during this period where politics begins to play a role in his life. In 1976, the deadly youth uprisings against the apartheid government pupils across the country, including 13-year-old Jeremy. He was also very much impressed by the Communist Manifesto.

After working as a teacher, Jeremy joins the ANC's underground military wing, uMkhonto weSizwe. It doesn't last long though, before he's arrested and sent to the notorious Robben Island. There he joins the brotherhood of political prisoners. When he was released he acted as one of Madiba's bodyguards, after which he was absorbed into the new SAPS. Now serving alongside the very officers who were his enemy during apartheid, he investigates the gangs on the Cape Flats, as well as domestic terrorism.

This is a riveting memoir with a lot of heart. Vearey will make you chuckle, have you on the edge of your seat and make you think.

[Benadé Kruger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story (his life story) makes for interesting reading, but is not enough to carry the book. What does carry the book and for me the bigger achievement, was his use of language, descriptions and expressions own to to the Cape Flats dialect of Afrikaaps. What is essentially a non-fiction autobiography, is turned in a literary achievement deserving of the title of a work of art.

[Gershwin Wanneburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant writing. A fantastic record of one man's story as an activist in apartheid-era South Africa. But also a much-needed record of the language, culture, struggles and triumphs of a community. A classic, in my view.