No Neutral Ground: Finding Jesus in a Cape Town Ghetto

by Pete Portal

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world - often described as a kind of heaven on earth. Yet for the majority of its inhabitants it is hell. Apartheid-spawned ghettoes are everywhere, and for those living in Manenberg - a coloured township on the Cape Flats, purpose-built by the apartheid government as part of its forced removal plan - life is just as marginal today as it was during apartheid. The main differences now are the rampant drug use and widespread gang presence.No Neutral Ground is a gripping account of Pete Portal's move from London to Manenberg, of addicts and gangsters meeting Jesus and being transformed, and how he went from living with a heroin addict to establishing a church community - and all the heartbreak and failure along the way. This is a story of mighty works of God, as well as relapse, hopelessness and despair; the miraculous and the mundane, heaven and hell, all balanced on a knife edge. Offering searing insight and an inspiring vision of faith, Pete asks why anyone would choose this way of life, if giving up our lives for others is worth it - and what the church could become if we were willing to risk it all to reach the forgotten and the lost.

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2019

Reviews

[Reyer ten Napel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book because I am in South Africa for a year. Its interesting how Pete struggled with the same kind of problems and questions, that I am struggling with right now. That is why the 5 stars might be a little subjective haha. It was just really comforting to know that I’m not the only one.

[Cathy Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in about 3 days - I didn’t want to put it down.

This is a very human, very humble account of supernatural living in the natural world. We are not all called to Manenberg. But the lessons we can learn from how Pete lives are transferable to wherever we live.

Be warned - this book is likely to transform your life.

[Naomi Watt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely highlighted the importance of helping the poor and those in need and that this is a biblical thing that we should be doing. It challenged me to want to do more!
I felt that sometimes, the way it was written, tried to make you feel guilty for the way you might have been raised and sometimes seemed judgemental. However, I'm not sure his intention was to do this.
I think he was expressing the journey God has taken him on and the convictions he has felt on his own life and he therefore wants to share this with others to encourage them to take more of a stand in walking along side those in need.

[Bryan Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read that challenges us to live the risky life Christ has called us to. It's well-written, exhaustively researched, and firmly grounded in boots-on-the-ground experience!

[Christine Ottaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this quite difficult to read though it is a gripping story and challenging. The book is a mix of autobiography, theology and socio-economic comment entwined about the story of the author's life going from young, green ready-to-change the world London to the grim reality of life in Manenberg one of the shocking suburbs of Cape Town where gangs and drug addiction are the everyday reality of life.

The times of heartbreak when the young people that he and others have poured their lives into, then return back to brokenness and addiction are tragic to read about. Or worse when someone on the way out of addiction is shot in a gang related incident. Life in Manenberg is tough.

I have spent many years in one of the nicer suburbs of Cape Town and I think I found it hard when the white population are dismissed as white supremacists living in their posh swanky apartments overlooking the beaches completely unaware of the realties of Manenberg on their doorstep. My experience is that there are many poor, white, older people struggling with loneliness and needing handouts to survive as well as a mass of 'middle class' white, coloured, Indian and black people doing their best to make ends meet and raise families in a society fractured along racial lines from a history of apartheid.

It's not that they don't care but unlike the author, they don't feel the call to live sacrificially in Manenberg, Lavender Hill, Gugulethu or any of the other deprived, depressed areas of the Cape Flats. I felt I was being told that Jesus would have lived in Manenberg and so every self respecting Christian should be looking to do the same somewhere.

There were times when reality was painted as either poor, coloured, crime and drug infested townships or affluent, white suburbs. The reality for me is that Cape Town is a city of just about everything from incredible wealth to abject poverty with every combination in between.

I applaud Pete Portal and all those who are called to give up their lives to see their community changed by the love of Jesus and I do genuinely pray they will succeed because it is possible as all things with God are possible. I do believe this is God's heart for the poor and as a white privileged person I know I have responsibilities to pray and support as God leads those called to the front line.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads like a suspense novel but it really is a true story! Read about an ordinary guy from London (and his wife and team) who followed the call of God to one of the most troubled areas. Read how the Holy Spirit transforms drug-addicted gangsters and prepare to be inspired to raise your faith to the next level. If you let it, this book will challenge you to take your next step of faith and not settle for the ordinary. If you come from a European background, some of the things described may be hard to grasp at first but that's exactly what I love about this book - read it with an open mind and expect to encounter true miracles.

This book is brilliant on so many levels because it speaks to such a broad audience.
1. If you already live this kind of lifestyle, you will have many encouraging stories to relate to.
2. If you are a Christian but do not personally encounter a lot of miracles and have the feeling that there should be more, then this will absolutely widen your horizon.
3. If you don't believe at all, this book will still give you a very personal and brutally honest look into the live and the motives of a faith-filled believer. You will read about real joy but also about gut-wrenching disappointments and get a good impression of what life in a cape town ghetto is like.

[N Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Thought provoking book detailing an incredibly complex history of Cape Town and how/why the problems in Mannenberg began. What a calling on Pete and Sarah-So committed to this community for the long haul where successes may seem few but are deeply celebrated and have maximum impact. Inspired. They truly are walking like Jesus.

[Lizbe Koekemoer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was at the same time captivating and extremely challenging. Having grown up as part of the white minority in SA, it was enlightening to read about the city I love from another viewpoint. The book challenged me and although it is an easy read, I couldn’t manage more than 1 chapter at a time. I highly recommend this book, but be prepared to have your worldview challenged.

[Georgina Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible book. Wonderfully written with powerful stories of faith and Jesus. It challenges you in the best way to not pursue a ‘comfortable’ life with Jesus but rather one of adventure, surrender and finding peace in the uncomfortable! Would highly recommend.

[Ryan Hiney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I really enjoyed this book. I don't agree with everything in theologically, but I don't need to agree with everything to be inspired. I've been actively praying for the community I'm in and to love the people around me because of this book.

[JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply challenging. What I did not find helpful was what I felt was a noticeable influence of critical theory. Despite this, I still believe this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to do ministry in South Africa.

[Jonny Hosking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal but uplifting, such an incredible and necessary testimony. If our Euro/American churches listened to Portal's advice, we'd be a lot better off; we must allow again the power of the Spirit to do its work in us.

What a brilliant book.

[Aaron White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent. A potent mix of spiritual autobiography, socio-cultural-political commentary, and challenging theology.

[Susie Steyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic and gritty

I am not religious but I thoroughly enjoyed this detailed account of living and doing truly amazing work in Manenberg.

[Yinka D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a phenomenal book! Raw, thoughtful and deeply inspiring.

[Anna Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good!