A selection of the books that landed on our bookshelves

Faith and Courage, Praying with Mandela, by Thabo Makgoba (Tafelberg)

A moving account of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba’s life as he invites the reader to join him on a personal journey, sharing his feelings and burdens as he prayed for Madiba and others holding political office.

From his boyhood in Alexandra, Johannesburg, as the son of a Zion Christian Church (ZCC) pastor, to his family’s forced removal to Soweto where he was caught up in the political uprisings in 1976, to his vocation and appointment as Archbishop of Cape Town, he relates how he felt about his pastoral approach to the world icon.

What did praying with those nearest and dearest to Madiba mean, and what were his spiritual views?

Archbishop Makgoba is one of the most outspoken church leaders of his day, and this frank and moving account opens a window on South Africa’s spiritual make-up and offers a fascinating and riveting read. – Orielle Berry

MisChief by A A K Masson (Porcupine Press)

We need all the laughs we can get these days and this is political satire at its best as the author creates an hilarious future scenario set in January 2019.

Zuma leaves the country with two of his wives in tow and enough money to maintain the lavish lifestyle to which he is accustomed.

Meanwhile, the ANC, in dire need of cash, turns to billionaire businessman Morgan Mwana to lead them to victory in the national elections.

An exotic Parisian lifestyle; a high-profile South African wedding; capers with a psychopathic hyenaloving henchman; and Bob Mugabe’s successor President Alvin Mugabe, as despotic as his father; all play a part in this chaotic, zany and troublesome but delightful read.

An African fairy tale… yes, no, maybe. – Orielle Berry