There are two must-read books this month, both by South African authors who have written fascinating works.
There are two must-read books this month, both by South African authors, depicting different sides of the same coin.
Good Hope is a dystopian work of fiction set in the Western Cape by author Nick Crelan. In his vision of the future, Crelan asks questions about the price of freedom and, ultimately, what sacrifices people are prepared to make to enjoy the freedoms and common goods we crave. It's about control and the concessions it demands.
On the contrary, former journalist James Styen has researched and written a book that seems to be a response to many of the conspiracy theories that suggest the world, or many aspects of it, are already controlled by forces greater than us humans.
Incidentally, both authors work in politics: Cleland is a former member of parliament who now serves as a consultant to politicians around the world, and Stian is chief of staff to Cape Town's mayor, Jordyn Hill-Lewis.
'“Good Hope” by Nick Cleland
Like an upgraded version of George Orwell's 1984, but very different from the Big Brother book written decades ago, real-life political activist Nick Cleland's new book Good Hope paints a vivid and unsettling picture of what it means to sacrifice individual liberties to build a secure state.
Once a vibrant province of South Africa, the Western Cape is now an independent and prosperous Region of Good Hope. This story begins on 16 December 2007, when the Western Cape unilaterally declared independence from South Africa.
The good realm of hope shines, but what is the price of perfection?
Fast forward to 2024 and the Good Hope region is the safest and most prosperous country in the Southern Hemisphere, but at what cost? The Mother City's streets are clean, employment is universal and violent crime is a distant memory. Tourism thrives as visitors flock to experience this utopian vision. But beneath this polished surface lies a darker reality.
Cleland's story depicts a society in which citizens are constantly watched by drones, executions for treason are public spectacles timed to the symbolic noontime cannon fire, and trade unions are outlawed.
In a qualified voting system, only those deemed to be properly educated have the right to vote, and others do not. This world may seem ideal to some, but it is riddled with authoritarian control and the suppression of basic freedoms.
“Good Hope “The piece was born during a stressful period during lockdown,” Cleland says. “While others made banana bread, I created this dystopian vision. Writing became a form of self-therapy and a way to cope with the intense pressure of advising the Western Cape Premier during the pandemic.”
A former Member of Parliament and advisor to political heavyweights such as Premier Alan Winde and Premier Helen Zill, Cleland brings a unique insider perspective to this story, and his political experience has enabled him to write a story that is both startlingly realistic and provocatively speculative.
“This book is not a manifesto for either side of the debate,” Cleland said, “but a provocative exploration of the extremes of nation and identity. I wanted readers to confront the stark choices between security and freedom.”
Good Hope Cleland also doesn't shy away from the controversial topic of separatism. Separatist movements in Scotland, Quebec and Catalonia are often considered worthy of intellectual debate, while the notion of Western Cape independence, while popular on social media, is not an uncommon idea in South Africa's complicated history. Cleland finds this disparity interesting and worth exploring.
“It's interesting that separatism is taken seriously in other parts of the world, but here it's seen as treason,” Cleland said. “Our tragic past and the concept of the 'nation-state' make any proposal for secession inherently controversial.”
Good Hope is a thrilling and gripping work that will provoke debate and reflection on the trade-offs between protecting our security and preserving our freedoms. It is a worthy political novel that unravels the complex dynamics and how they shape our society.
'“Dirty Secrets of the Rich and Powerful” by James Styen
James Stian is not afraid to tell a story and he tells it like it is. His previous books on the Eskom and Steinhoff scandals are testament to his exceptional investigative journalism and ability to transform ideas, concepts and cold hard facts into a highly enjoyable and often shocking read.
In his latest book, Dirty secrets of the rich and powerfulStian delves into the harsh reality of global inequality and exposes the influence and power wielded by multinational corporations and billionaires. There are many conspiracy theories out there, but what if some of them were actually true? And it appears that they are.
Stian delves into Jooste's death and its impact on the business
From the experience of the 2018 best seller Steinhoff: Inside South Africa's biggest corporate collapseStian re-examines the Steinhoff scandal, examining the aftermath of the death of former CEO Markus Jooste and the company's subsequent collapse.
“There are still many questions remaining, and I was fascinated by the games being played by the big multinationals around the world,” Stian said. These games, he argued, enrich a few but pose huge risks to the masses. “There are real challenges in renewable energy, too,” he noted, “but I don't want to give away the story. This chapter is an important one.”
From the Pan Cartel to AI and the South African health crisis
Stian's book covers 18 major issues affecting global and South African society, from corporate tax evasion to bread cartels to the impact of artificial intelligence. It also questions the high cost of healthcare in South Africa, sharing what feels like the root of many conspiracy theories beyond South Africa's borders.
“It's my belief that if you dig deep into the workings of any system, whether it's socialism or capitalism, there are people or groups somewhere up high who control the levers,” Stian said.
But he said the book is a factual account of ongoing issues. “These are issues that most of us ordinary people don't know much about, but they have serious implications for all of us,” he said. “It's not about conspiracy theories.”
Call to action
Dirty secrets of the rich and powerful Stian says the book is more than just a book, it's a call to action: He hopes that by uncovering these hidden truths, he can cultivate a more informed and engaged public.
“I am telling people an exciting story, a story in which we are all characters. To what extent do we have control over our lives? Are other beings making decisions for us and our children without our knowledge? Why is the world so unfair and unequal? And what can we do to fix this? These questions and many more are all explored in this book,” Stian said.
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