Gang Town

by Don Pinnock

Cape Town is two cities. One is beautiful beyond imagining, known since its beginning as the 'fairest cape' in the world. Here tourists come to lounge on beaches, scale misty peaks and dine in fine restaurants. The other is one of the most dangerous cities in the world, where police need bullet-proof vests and sometimes army backup. Here gangs of young men rule the night with heavy calibre handguns, dispensing heroin, cocaine, crystal meth and fear. This is the story of the second city… In Gang Town, investigative journalist and criminologist Don Pinnock draws on more than thirty years of research to provide a nuanced and definitive portrait of youngsters caught up in violent crime.

Genres: South Africa, Nonfiction, Crime, Africa, Cape Town

312 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2016

Reviews

[Niel De La Rouviere · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected a completely different book. I was hoping to read about all the gangs in Cape Town and how they operate, but instead I was presented with a bigger idea: why Cape Town in the first place has such a big gang problem and what can be done about it.

It was really well researched. At times it read more like a textbook. The actual content though was really thought provoking. The complexity of the gang problem in Cape Town is so big. One my favorite parts was trying to imagine how much social capital and collective community culture we lost during the forced removal in the Apartheid-era. Like District 6. I've never thought how devastating the dissolution of community structure could potentially be.

It's really enlightened me to think more deeply about any tough systemic issue. There isn't just one main reason for the cause, and there isn't just one silver bullet to fix it. Big problems need sustained change through numerous sectors.

[Joha Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to truly get an understanding of the various forms of violence, gang culture and social circumstances of Cape Town's gangs.

This was beyond interesting and I wish I'd read it sooner. I think this is one of those books that every person must read at least once, especially if you are South African. Cape Town's gangs and gang culture makes so much more sense to me after reading Pinnock's work. There are also snippets of testimonies, however they are very brief as more attention is afforded to discussion.

Brilliant.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sociological study of gangs in Cape Town. The book is easy to read and presents an interesting subject. The book presents interesting ideas, how forced removals during apartheid destroyed colored communities creating conditions for a near complete collapse of law and order. How the apartheid government chose political suppression over crime prevention allowing the problem to grow. I wish there was more history and analysis, particularly of how things changed with democracy. The book also spends a large section on how gangs emerge from adolescent psychology and the collapse of families, rituals and opportunities for social status. Its amazing how this section feels so universal, not unique to South Africa which Americans feel is uniquely violent but true of any urban ghetto.

Ultimately the analysis is stronger than the recommendations which are either unrealistic (how can the South African state, which can't competently provide electricity, create a bureaucracy to replace families?), not scalable (creating secular versions of ancient initiation into manhood that involve mentor ship and wilderness training) or circular (to stop gangs children need a safe space so they won't be tempted to join gangs which requires stopping gangs). Nevertheless the book is worth reading. It provides insight not just into the modern South Africa but into urban people across the world.

[Courtney X · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is written from first perspective and I don't hate it, very well done on that part. I did however loose interest for that very reason.
I wasn't moved by his experiences. It felt like I was reading a very one sided newspaper article/textbook.

I'd recommend this book if you're a foreigner (or anyone) with absolute no knowledge on the history of Cape Town's gang violence and poverty.
Won't recommend this is you have an understanding of how the system in South Africa works/ed. You'll get your BRD (blood red mad) when you read this book.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked how this book was organized by sections, so you could choose which sections interested you most. I liked how there were first-person “interviews” intermixed in the book - it gave all the research and facts (which were many) humanity. Joining and being part of a gang is often seen as simply wrong, but this book does a good job explaining the historical, societal, and environmental reasons on why gangs exist in Cape Town (and the rest of the world), and how they can be the only option for so many people. I wish I had had time to finish the last section of the book, though!

[Nicholas Woode-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating multi-disciplinary study into the origins of gangsterism and delinquency in Cape Town's youth. I found the findings in this book to also be incredibly useful for other cases. The recent Netflix drama, Adolescence gels well with a lot of the ideas spoken about in this book.

So, if you want to understand the origins of criminality not just in the Cape Flats, but amongst the disenfranchised youth everywhere, this is a great place to start.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gang Town provides an in depth description of the history of gangs in Cape Town. Really interesting reading and vital to understand the work to be done in Cape Town to address violence and inequality. He also provides helpful reading to think about how we address the issues which is a hopeful take to a difficult problem.

[Lucian Neag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful book regarding all aspects of Cape Town's problem: the gangs. It starts with the history, the context, the psychology behind it and ends up with suggestions. The book is very well structured and well paced.

[Kanykei Tursunbaeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

very well researched book

[Catrien Deys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very insightful account and funny enough a very attractive read for more people than just the ones interested in gangs in CT, maybe every parent should read this.

[Antonilson Carvalho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book

👌👌👏👏👏

[Michael Glockle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beyond interesting and I wish I'd read it sooner.

[Jess Holing · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly — i want to read this book again. recommend to anyone and everyone!

[Anisabhettay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly informative, well researched and full of revelations. What an eye-opener! I only hope that those who hold the keys to bringing about the necessary changes will read this book. I find myself searching for a role to fill to help bring about that change. Excellently written.

[Melt Olckers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solution

People who are advocates for autistic and disability pride can block me all they like. But when my book is published, they will be sorry.