1986

by William Dicey

1986 was a pivotal year in South African history. It was the year of the vigilante, the year of the necklace – but also the year the talking began.Drawing on newspaper articles, memoirs, and little-known histories, William Dicey presents a compelling diary of a very bad year. He focuses on ordinary people, showing what life was actually like under an authoritarian regime – from the six hours a day that black workers in KwaNdebele spent on buses to the rebel sporting tours that provided a distraction for white South Africans. Some stories foreshadow the miracle of 1990 – for instance, the deputy commander of Pollsmoor Prison takes Nelson Mandela on a scenic drive around Cape Town, years before his eventual release. Other stories shine a light on our current conflicts. Written in crisp prose, 1986 is a model of historical excavation, deftly evoking the spirit of the times.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2020

About the author

William Dicey is the author of the critically acclaimed Borderline (2004). He has worked as a mathematics lecturer, a book designer and a farmer. He divides his time between Ceres and Cape Town.

Reviews

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Clare Grové · Rating 5 out of 5]

History is written about systems but the system should never be more important than its individual parts.

The ‘beauty’ of Dicey’s 1986 is that it looks at the effect of the system on the lives of individuals. Personal accounts make the history far more effective. Far more poignant. Far more real.

[Scott Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work looks at might be considered one of the most consequential years in South African history: 1986. It goes in a chronological order, and the chapters are broken up by months. A key event/events is discussed, with the back story brought to the forefront. At that time, South Africa was a pariah nation, as its apartheid policies isolated it from full participation in the active world. Within the country, there were still significant division, between black and white and within the respective ethnic groups. The book can get into graphic descriptions of violence and brutality. Yet, the seeds for change were starting to appear within the government and society. Mandela is still in jail, but he is galvanizing presence. Also, the South African government made some significant blunders that helped expedite the eventual changes.

Overall, an informative and engaging read. For most Americans, this is not a history that they know very well, but it is well worth the time to read. Glad that I found this book to try.

[Lienkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading.