Shades of Difference: Mac Maharaj and the Struggle for South Africa

by Padraig O'Malley, Nelson Mandela (Foreword)

The inside story of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, told through the experiences of one of its unsung heroes, with an introduction by Nelson Mandela

A South African of Indian descent, Mac Maharaj was a potent force in the Communist Party and African National Congress for nearly four decades. Tortured by South African security forces, he served twelve years in prison with Nelson Mandela and was able to smuggle out a painstakingly miniaturized copy of Mandela's autobiography. He continued to play a key role in the movement and participated in the negotiations that ultimately led to a free South Africa in 1994. In Mandela's new government, he served as minister of transport.

Drawing on extensive interviews with Maharaj over the last eleven years, Padraig O'Malley vividly captures the experiences of this South African freedom fighter. By telling Maharaj's story, O'Malley sheds new light on the decades-long battle against apartheid as well as the more recent struggle to build a free South Africa.

Genres: South Africa, History, Nonfiction, Africa, War

672 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 2007

Reviews

[John Mountford · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent way to write a biography: from the point of view of the subject and the author. Mac Maharaj is shown as he sees himself and how he is seen by others.
This work gave me a new appreciation for Mac, and the extent to which he was prepared to suffer to stay true to his communist ideals of an equal South Africa. Although he is not one of my personal heroes, the world needs all the heroes it can get. Mac certainly qualifies as one.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great way to delve into social history -- a combination of reporting and interviews.