SA reads discussion

1 - 10 January: Prologue - Chapter 20

The CCB was a secret organization run by the South African military intelligence behind the front of civilian corporations. It was brought into existence by the SA govt. in response to terrorist attacks: a 'fight fire with fire' approach.
The CCB comprised 6 African regions, 1 international region, and the South African region. In KILL MANDELA, Du Bois heads up the SA region, and Jan Kruger is one of his covert operatives.

Our first discussion point:
The CCB had hit squads that carried out targeted assassinations and bombings. They said that a 'Total Onslaught' by the liberation movements required a 'Total Strategy' in response.
Was the SA govt. entitled to fight a 'terrorist' onslaught by terrorist means?

John wrote: "Our first discussion point:
The CCB had hit squads that carried out targeted assassinations and bombings. They said that a 'Total Onslaught' by the liberation movements required a 'Total Strategy' ..."

Entitled? Does that mean the same as "did they have the right"? The men involved in this movement followed orders. But where the orders came from, that's another story. The government took right into own hands. And I think logic often wasn't part of the thought process.

Did they really think that by killing Mandela they would stop a civil war? Indeed, I would have thought (as most people I assume) that killing Mandela would simply have fuelled a civil war. What were these people thinking?

One theme that immediately struck me, is the father-son theme.

It starts with Sipho and Thembelani and their father who was murdered by Jan's father.

Then there is Jan and his father, Kobus and Jan, York and his father Jack, and Boxer and Alpheus. I predict that each of these relationships will grow and become clearer to the reader throughout the book.

I think Jan lives to please the memory of his dead father. His father was a hard, cruel man. And I think that in Jan's memory, his father could do anything. Then he was the one to find his murdered parents. He found his father hopelessly, helplessly murdered. And then he became open of the best policemen/secret agents in the country. Jan doesn't want to think about his father or any memory associated with him, yet the bit of Jan's life I have encountered so far seems to be dedicated to avenging his father's death to some degree.

John wrote: "Was the SA govt. entitled to fight a 'terrorist' onslaught by terrorist means?"
Adele wrote: "Entitled? Does that mean the same as "did they have the right"?"

I haven't started the book yet, but this is, to me, an important point.

It is my view that government does not have rights. It makes me cringe when I hear some one say "Government has the right to do such and such." People, individuals, have rights; government has power. Government may have the power to do whatever it wishes but that doesn't mean it is entitled to use that power unconstrained. The United States is based on the proposition that government derives it's power from the governed. Controversy arises when government uses power that it has not been authorized to use, or if that authority is not clear, or if there is not a strong consensus for the authorization of the use of some power. I'm not clear on the authority of the SA government, but I presume it's authority was given by the ruling minority.

Then we have the question of right and wrong, good and evil. Many people believe that evil justifies evil, that evil may be retaliated against in kind. They believe that somebody who commits a heinous act should be punished but an act equally heinous - that that is justice. I believe that the end does not justify the means.

Adele,
Your point raises the thorny issue of the culpability of soldiers taking orders in war time. I know the Geneva Convention is supposed to be the 'rule book' for war, but is it of any relevance outside of conventional warfare? Is the guerilla soldier bound by the same set of ethical considerations as the regimented soldier? Did the immorality of apartheid entitle ANC guerilla's to depart from the rule book? These are difficult matters to resolve; ultimately our truth will depend on our circumstances - or does it?

Regarding MAMUD - the assassination plot. Although there were rumours of assassination plans for Mandela while he was in Pollsmoor prison, none ever materialised. KILL MANDELA'S plot, MAMUD, is purely a figment of the writers imagination.

Adele wrote: "One theme that immediately struck me, is the father-son theme.

It starts with Sipho and Thembelani and their father who was murdered by Jan's father.

Then there is Jan and his father, Kobus and..."
I also saw the father- son theme. For me this tied into something Madiba said about children being taught to hate and that we can change that and teach love. Through circumstance, Jan has learnt hate, a legacy which he is passing to Kobus. Jack and Alpheus are teaching their sons a different way of being.

John, I noticed something, and wondered if it was intentional: Jack and Jan are nicknames for John and Johan respectively. Which are in turn the same name in different languages and mean 'The Grace of God'. This is also your name. Is it God's grace that separated their experiences in such a way to allow such polarized view points?

The assassination plot is just so realistic. I think myself a very naive person, but also very cynical. If I am to believe that there was such a group as the CCB and what they stood for, then I can believe/imagine that there could have been such plans.

Buck,
You raise an important distinction between rights and powers. I agree with your view that a government does not have rights - only citizens do. But do they not defer those rights to the govt. in between election periods to enable government to take place? Every five years they are then entitled to review how the govt has handled that deferment and vote accordingly? Of course, this is complicated by the fact that the apartheid govt. did not reflect the will of the people.
Then, the matter of morality and justice. Jan Kruger is a man who tries to reconcile the two in his life, but fails. This is an important topic that you have raised early in the story, and one that we will be visiting again and again I am sure for the next 4 weeks.

Vicki wrote: "First of all " absolute power corrupts absolutely", governments have power- power I'm afraid overrules rights. As far as an eye for an eye is concerned- have something heinous happen to someone cl..."

Buck wrote: "John wrote: "Was the SA govt. entitled to fight a 'terrorist' onslaught by terrorist means?"
Adele wrote: "Entitled? Does that mean the same as "did they have the
right"?


I haven't started the b..."

Entitled is more than just having the right, it's the assumption that this is an unconditional right (in this context).

Two thoughts:

1) The cognitive school of psychology believes that our thoughts about something dictates our emotions and our behavior. If you influence those thoughts, you can change behavior and emotion. Hence if you sow fear (eg warn about communists, murderous plots cooked up by a group) people react with an emotional display of fear and behave fearfully to prevent harm coming to them. So for example if the CCB say that people of color are dangerous murderers, the general public could be swayed to believed that. This theory actually serves as a basis for political propaganda.

Secondly, there is an ethical theory called the social contract theory. We as individuals enter into a social contract with a ruling body. We give up some of our rights & submit to laws, but our gains are meant to be greater, we gain protection, legal rights, more equality etc. It is a mutually beneficial contract. Trouble arises when the governance of this contract breaks down- eg an individual who refuses to pay tax but wants better law enforcement, or government demands exorbitant taxes and doesn't benefit the population with this.
In this instance, I see a breakdown in the social contract.

Adele,
Father/son themes indeed! Strangely enough, this was not a concious decision on my part as I wrote the book. You are right: there are an unusually large number of father-son relationships in KILL MANDELA, and analysing them in depth could occupy the entire 4 weeks if we allowed it to.
My own father died when I was young, and I have always carried some guilt issues in this regard. Perhaps I am showing something of my sub-conscious here?

'I have only started this book and I can already feel the destructive cycle.'
Your premonition is correct! Justice is a blindfolded, demanding lady. She insists on the balance of injustice being restored...
Does Jan want justice...or revenge? Are they one and the same?

Adele wrote: "The assassination plot is just so realistic. I think myself a very naive person, but also very cynical. If I am to believe that there was such a group as the CCB and what they stood for, then I can..."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Cooperati...

In the time that the TRC was active, I was a young adult and I couldn't care less about politics. My mother was always up on arms about it and I didn't find it interesting/important at all. I found it simply irritating. Seems like I missed out on a lot. But then again, I had a great time then. All this feels surprisingly new, yet familiar to me. Like I always suspected it, but never knew these things to have been true.

Lisa wrote: "Adele wrote: "One theme that immediately struck me, is the father-son theme.

It starts with Sipho and Thembelani and their father who was murdered by Jan's father.

Then there is Jan and his fat..."

Ah, Lisa, now you do begin to dig down into my sub-conscious. Your insight here is fascinating...and spooky, for me. God, and fathers, have been a recurring theme in my life, and have obviously found expression in the fictional world I have created at arms length to myself in KILL MANDELA. I fear I am to be totally turned inside-out by this group before the 4 weeks are up!

Adele wrote: "In the time that the TRC was active, I was a young adult and I couldn't care less about politics. My mother was always up on arms about it and I didn't find it interesting/important at all. I found..."

Oh so true, Adele. These were cold-blooded killers of the worst kind. Religion and race have always been the breeding ground for the worst atrocities of humankind.

Lisa wrote: "Vicki wrote: "First of all " absolute power corrupts absolutely", governments have power- power I'm afraid overrules rights. As far as an eye for an eye is concerned- have something heinous happen..."

Succinctly put, Lisa.
Yes, communism and racial prejudice were the apartheid govts. bogeymen, and they found willing resonance in white South Africa in the 70's and 80's, I am ashamed to say.
Regarding the social contract, I am reminded of the words of the 18th century king of Bhutan:
"If the government cannot create happiness for its people, then there is no reason for the government to exist."

John wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Vicki wrote: "First of all " absolute power corrupts absolutely", governments have power- power I'm afraid overrules rights. As far as an eye for an eye is concerned- have something ..."

Smart man that Bhutan

Hi John, sorry I'm a bit asleep. How can I get a copy of your novel to read. My ereader don't accept kindle only pdf and e-pub. So Amazon is out for me.

Adrienne wrote: "Hi John, sorry I'm a bit asleep. How can I get a copy of your novel to read. My ereader don't accept kindle only pdf and e-pub. So Amazon is out for me."

If John's book isn't available in your e-reader's format, you can download a Kindle e-reader for free from Amazon or wherever you get apps for your digital device. Kindle e-reader app is available for Android devices, iPhone, iPad, and Windows PC. I've read kindle books on my PC. My daughter actually was reading on her Android phone when her Kindle was out of service.

Buck wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "Hi John, sorry I'm a bit asleep. How can I get a copy of your novel to read. My ereader don't accept kindle only pdf and e-pub. So Amazon is out for me."

If John's book isn't avai..."

Hi Adrienne. Welcome! Thanks for your advice, Buck. It should solve your problem, Adrienne, but if not, please let me know.

Buck wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "Hi John, sorry I'm a bit asleep. How can I get a copy of your novel to read. My ereader don't accept kindle only pdf and e-pub. So Amazon is out for me."

If John's book isn't avai..."

Thanks Buck, I've tried to downlowd Kindle on my PC but for some reason I struggle with it, I don't know why. John is this book available on Barnes and NOBLE

Adrienne wrote: "Buck wrote: "Adrienne wrote: "Hi John, sorry I'm a bit asleep. How can I get a copy of your novel to read. My ereader don't accept kindle only pdf and e-pub. So Amazon is out for me."

If John's bo..."

Adrienne,
I assume it was the Kindle APP that you tried to download to your pc. If not, then here is the link to do so. You select the device you want to download to, and it works like a dream. It is a handy app to have.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html...

I can send you an e-pub file as well if you would prefer - send your e-mail address to me at: ameaningfullife@johnmountford.com

I'll try downloading the app again and see if it doesn't work, if not, I'll email you.

Thanks John and good luck with this month. I'm sure I'll pop in from time to time participating.

Adrienne wrote: "I'll try downloading the app again and see if it doesn't work, if not, I'll email you.

Thanks John and good luck with this month. I'm sure I'll pop in from time to time participating."

Thanks, Adrienne. It will be lovely to have your unique pov in the discussion.

John wrote: "Buck,
You raise an important distinction between rights and powers. I agree with your view that a government does not have rights - only citizens do. But do they not defer those rights to the govt...."

I get that John, and each time they were voted in by the white citizens who were allowed to vote, they were endorsing the policies that were very clearly articulated.

As for rights - It is difficult to argue that an illegal government has "rights" even if less than 20% of the population delegated their "rights"

I am on chapter 26 and will reserve comments on the English / Boer issue that is alluded to in the first 20 chapters - I think history of British "apartheid" and violence and structural predudice is often 'forgotten'

Lisa I also picked up the father and son theme so far - it is very strong, and linked to that is the relationship with the female figures. Very interesting John :o)

There is one element that did surprise me and that was the writing on the wall - "Free Mandela" - look forward to understanding why that happened.

Very interesting book John

Diane wrote: "John wrote: "Buck,
You raise an important distinction between rights and powers. I agree with your view that a government does not have rights - only citizens do. But do they not defer those rights..."

Diane,
Thanks for your input. Your continued involvement in the discussion will be a valuable perspective for all of us.
Yes, one of the things that struck me very forceably in doing my research, was the culpability of the British in the rise of apartheid. They had the power and the means to implement a more representative form of self govt, as existed to a degree in the Cape at the time, but they washed their hands of the whole affair. In this respect they were not good colonial masters, but this is true of all colonial powers, is it not?

An interesting point of discussion might be:
How should the colonial powers have acted upon their 'discovery' of Africa and its peoples? Could they have done it differently? How?

Regarding the writing on the wall: the altercation that led to the death of Thembelani's father was brought about by the news of Mandela's imprisonment. Sipho, the elder brother and writer of the message on the wall, sees his dead father as the 1st martyr for Mandela's cause - hence the wording. He was expressing a political message, not a racial one. Perhaps he knew, even at that young age, that the response to the murder of the farmer would be a racial one. This continues 'til today.

Really enjoying the read John - seeing things from another vantage point.

Yeah it is sobering to reflect that they had created separate settlements for Africans long before there was official apartheid. And then of course economic interests

What should they have done? Left the people alone and trade instead of feeling entitled to the land, its mineral resources and to its inhabitants

The writing on the wall is interesting, now let me continue on chapter 29

End of chapter 10. So relieved. Almost died from distress for what almost happened to Boxer. Thank goodness.

Adele wrote: "End of chapter 10. So relieved. Almost died from distress for what almost happened to Boxer. Thank goodness."

Boxer's going to jail for something he didn't do is rich with irony and symbolism in the story. I enjoyed writing these chapters, especially the Kentucky & Chips scene. They flowed naturally with few changes to the content thereafter.
In fact, every time I began a chapter or scene from Boxer's point of view, I found the writing easy. I regretted that the story didn't allow me to use his viewpoint as much as I would have liked. Will be making up for this in the sequel.

I began reading the book yesterday and am still trying to figure out how much is fiction and how much fact. I lived through the war in Angola and the freeing of Nelson Mandela, so the setting is very familiar. All I can say so far is that the story seems very credible.
From an author's point of view, I have been impressed with the style of writing, particularly the way John Mountford weaves in explanations about South African traditions and history. He frequently breaks from the narrative to fill in details about, say, the game of rugby, a technique which is both informative and enriching to the text. I am enjoying reading about Cape Town in its various guises and recalling the events of the recent past with all its personalities and scandals.

John done reading your interesting and captivating book last night. Congratulations on writing such a well thought out book, particularly the dealings of the CCB and the plans and schemes at the time.

Enjoyed the book, the writing style and the flow. It does help to have lived through those times that the book covers.

For me it gives a deeper perspective of both the English and Afrikaner points of view and perspectives at the time about South Africa, about the politics of the day and about black people

Boxer's character was interesting to me and I couldn't figure out how he came to have such a social perspective (or worldview) given his circumstances, his father being an ANC operative and his friends being very politicized (like most township kids at that age) - I figure he is around 19 years? He is very different
He seems to have attended political rallies (this is mentioned when he goes to the police station) yet his world view spoke very differently to these set of circumstances.

An interesting character to have in the book and look forward to learning what shaped this world view in the next book

Adele I was also very relieved when he was not raped! Learnt something new about this happening in holding cells too. Not a very good practice but as we know very common in the prisons

Leanne wrote: "I began reading the book yesterday and am still trying to figure out how much is fiction and how much fact. I lived through the war in Angola and the freeing of Nelson Mandela, so the setting is v..."

Leanne,
Thank you for taking the time away from your busy writing schedule to participate in this discussion. And for your kind words.
Fiction vs fact: I understand your feelings here, because I chose a moment in history that most South Africans would be closely familiar with. The challenge,as such,then was to make it new and interesting to the SA reader.
To help:
1) The CCB is a fact, but Du Bois is fiction.
2) Project Vula was a fact, although I took some liberty as far as its timing was concerned (brought it forward a bit). Project Vula's objectives were, in fact, the preparation for the possibility of a 'peoples war' in SA should negotiations fail. I embroidered on its scale and intentions. The SA govt. did discover and expose it, but only later.
3) Although there were rumours of Mandela assassination plans while he was in jail, the one I create in the story is pure fiction.

Hope that clarifies things.

Diane wrote: "John done reading your interesting and captivating book last night. Congratulations on writing such a well thought out book, particularly the dealings of the CCB and the plans and schemes at the ti..."

Well put Dianne.
Wrt Boxer, young prisoners in holding cells are easy targets for hardened criminals, it's very distressing to think how dangerous it is to be wrongfully accused

John wrote: "Adele wrote: "End of chapter 10. So relieved. Almost died from distress for what almost happened to Boxer. Thank goodness."

Boxer's going to jail for something he didn't do is rich with irony and ..."

You have given your gangsters interesting names, what were your origins?

Diane wrote: "John done reading your interesting and captivating book last night. Congratulations on writing such a well thought out book, particularly the dealings of the CCB and the plans and schemes at the ti..."

Diane,
I think you hold the record so far for how quickly Kill Mandela has been read. Less than 2 days!

Thank you for your compliments: words like 'interesting' and 'captivating' are music to the author's ear, as you know. Above all, though, I am glad it was worth your time - it is not a short book.

Regarding Boxer's world-view: yes, I get your reservations here, and perhaps I did not do enough to prepare the reader for this. As I said, Kill Mandela is long for a first novel, and I was wary about developing the secondary characters in too much depth. I longed to take more time with Boxer, but just could not risk adding another three or four chapters to the book. You know how publishers write off any 1st book longer than 100,000 words. Mine was 180,000 plus. In retrospect, maybe I should have gone with my gut.

Boxer's world-view, in my writers mind, has its origins in a few sources:
1) Miriam, his mother. She is the primary teacher of his unique ability to understand and respond to stressful situations without the burden of hatred and emotion. He is a rational being, and in his rationality he is able to show understanding and compassion. This is a quality I most admire in the African people. They do not lose their tempers like their white counterparts, and they possess a deep humanity which they apply to all their life experiences.
2) His father, Alpheus. Boxer has seen the fruits of violence in his father's life, and knows that they taste bitter. He will not follow that path, for he has seen how it has brought suffering to the one he loves most, his mother.
3) Boxer attends a coloured high school, and in doing so gains an understanding and education that most of his counterparts in the township do not.
4) Boxer spends a lot of time at the airport, expanding his world-view as he watches and learns.
5) Boxer is special by nature. He is born with wisdom, a quality that is not seen often, but immediately recognised by others when in its presence. Nelson Mandela was such a man; he returns from 27 years of isolation from the world, and yet confidently leads a country exploding with hatred and violence to reconciliation. He shows the statesmanship that he was born with, and that cannot be learned.

I hope this helps you you accept Boxer as a character a little more easily, Diane. I will be spending more time on the origins of his character in the sequel.
Thank you for raising this insightful point - it has helped me.

Lisa wrote: "John wrote: "Adele wrote: "End of chapter 10. So relieved. Almost died from distress for what almost happened to Boxer. Thank goodness."

Boxer's going to jail for something he didn't do is rich wi..."

Lisa,
Peaches was a 'peach' of a name that I just could not resist. There was a gangster named Peaches (now deceased) during this period that I picked up in my research. Initially I did not want to use a real person's name in my novel, but despite hours of brain-racking, I could not come up with anything nearly as good as 'Peaches'. I hope the real Peaches forgives me should I have to face him one day!

Vicki! So nice of you to join in.
A good story is the priority of any genre, don't you think? If the story keeps you wanting to find out what happens next, then the reader (almost) forgets about the genre.
This is the passage that explains Jan's sending Kobus to an English school:
‘Ja, for sure. The orange doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ He frowned. ‘That’s not the right fruit, is it?’ Jan had a kind of love-hate relationship with the English language, and indeed with English-speaking South Africans (‘too damned liberal, but at least they’re civilised!’), and the ‘proper’ English, those from overseas, the expats like York’s father – though he’d never met the man on speaking terms. Thus, Kobus went to an English-language school. Not for Jan the bittereinder anti-English attitudes of some fellow Afrikaners. Where white South Africa was concerned – Afrikaans, English, even Portuguese – Jan was prepared to be accommodating. ‘We all must stand together against the communist onslaught.’

Another Boxer fan! Vicki, you will just have to keep reading. Anything can happen to anyone in a story like this.

Vicki wrote: "Interesting how you interpreted your view. What exactly is it about Jack that embarrasses his son York? His liberality or his never get violent personality. Is York a racist or just a confused te..."

York's discomfort with Jack is threefold:
1) He is embarrassed at Jack's behaviour with black people, which is so different to that of other white SA men. Jack stands out, and that makes York a little (not that much, though) uncomfortable. York is his own person, but he is only eighteen and from an unstable home.
2) He is confused and torn between the two most important influences in his life: his father, and the Kruger's. Both are an emotional refuge for him from his sister's absence and his mother's presence; both preach a very different gospel when it comes to black people and how to deal with life. York will find his own way, but it is too soon for that yet.
3) Jack's non-aggression angers York because of his mother's behaviour. She has destroyed the family with her drinking, robbing York of his beloved older sister in the process, and yet Jack treats her with kindness and patience. York does not yet understand the true nature of love - he only knows possession: being with or without something important to you.

In York the reader will find the oft conflicting characteristics of loyalty, integrity, justice, and accountability. When is kindness weakness? When is justice unkind? Where is the balance?

Lol Vicki! I agree, we stage a boycott if Boxer is harmed! Adore him too. His character made sense to me, we speak about resilience, how some people have an innate capacity to remain strong in the face of adversityc

The Boxer fan club grows. I think I am being upstaged by my character.

Yep

John wrote: "The Boxer fan club grows. I think I am being upstaged by my character."

Or you have created a character that readers empathize with. I personally really struggle to read a book where I have no empathy for a main character.
(Like GWTW Adele!)

Lisa wrote: "John wrote: "The Boxer fan club grows. I think I am being upstaged by my character."

Or you have created a character that readers empathize with. I personally really struggle to read a book where ..."

You make an excellent point, Lisa, one that I shall consider carefully as I move on into the sequels. Scarlet, for all her fierce independence and strength, was not an empathetic main character. The author, however, created so many wonderful secondary characters in GWTW that were empathetic, that the reader is still satisfied in this regard. This has significance for me in KILL MANDELA where Scarlet is important in Lillian's life.

This group review is, as I suspected, proving to be a great help to me moving forward in the trilogy and as a writer. Thank you all.

Sounds like we are enjoying the opportunity to discuss a book with an author. Your main characters have distinct voices

It is 5th January, the official start-date for the KILL MANDELA group discussion. We did get off to an unexpected and exciting early start, and I want to apologise to those of you who may be surprised at the length of the thread already.
Please be assured that week one is still very much alive, and I look forward to your comments.
I shall kick off the week:

1) An updated slide show of the scene locations. For those of you who looked at it at the start of this thread, please take another look. I was caught unaware by our early start and was only able to have this updated version ready yesterday.
http://www.johnmountford.com/location/

2) Here is the 2nd discussion point (the first is at the beginning of this thread):

Had it not been for the murder of his parents, might Jan have had a different view of South Africa and it’s future?
The excerpts below are relevant:

‘It was not because of the farmer, but because of Jan. He was younger than me, and he was different from his father. During the school holidays when his friends went with their fathers to go hunting in Namibia, Jan stayed to work on the farm, and took me with him fishing. I taught him how to catch fish without a rod and he taught me how to drive the bakkie, although he knew that his father would be cross if he found out.’ (Prologue
)
‘Sipho also told me that our father had told him that the young white men all change once the plough is in their hands.’ (Prologue)

‘Jan stared after the rabbit. Remembering. Back in his youth, on the farm, he went out at night with his father to shoot the wild rabbits that infested the wheat fields. Or rather, his father did and he kept watch, with the spotlight, as the truck bumped its way along the dirt tracks through the fields. Then came the day when he was given his own rifle, a .22. And the first hit – a lucky shot, a rabbit thrashing with a broken leg; and he, Jan, unable to complete the job. His father snatched the rifle and finished off the rabbit, and they’d driven home in silence.
Big Jan. Genial Jan. Jan the CCB agent, who couldn’t kill a rabbit.’ (Chapter 1)

I just finished chapter 20 this morning, and I am looking forward to joining in on the discussion. I need some time to process my thoughts and to review my notes before really jumping in here. However, this is my first South African read, and I am extremely impressed! Kudos to you, John, for what I consider a phenomenal debut novel! It does not feel like a first novel, but rather exudes, in my humble opinion, a professionalism and experience not often found until much later in an author's career! I want to thank you for, as someone else already mentioned, incorporating background information and translations through context clues of the Afrikaner words and phrases. As an American, this has really helped me! Also, I am enjoying how the photos posted to this group and on John's website are coming into play and finding expression in the novel. For me, it is exciting to read terms such as "fynbos" and know what is being referenced! I'll post more later, but I wanted to say how much I'm enjoying this novel so far!

Sarah wrote: "I just finished chapter 20 this morning, and I am looking forward to joining in on the discussion. I need some time to process my thoughts and to review my notes before really jumping in here. Howe..."

Sarah, I am pleased to hear that your enjoyment of KILL MANDELA was enhanced by the use of images and context. I had a very knowledgeable South African editor who helped me with the text, and a supportive wife who traipsed the Cape for three whole days taking pictures with me.
Thank you for this unique bit of feedback. I know the other South Africans in the group would also love to help enlarge your understanding of any words or concepts that you might find unusual.
Glad your 1st SA read is a positive experience so far. Pressure!!

Yay Sarah, great to see you and know you're enjoying a book from here.
Shout re languages if you need to.
John, I agree with Sarah, your context is well-set