The Plot to Save South Africa

The Week Mandela Averted Civil War and Forged a New Nation

By: Justice Malala

Narrated by: Nick Boraine, Justice Malala

‘Superbly reported, compelling . . . wonderfully captures the spirit of that time’ Financial Times

'Gripping and important' Observer
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Nine days that set the course of a nation...

Johannesburg, Easter weekend, 1993. Nelson Mandela has been free for three years and is in slow-moving power-sharing talks with President FW de Klerk when a white supremacist shoots Mandela’s popular young heir apparent, Chris Hani, in the hope of igniting an all-out civil war. Will he succeed in plunging South Africa into chaos, safeguarding apartheid for perhaps years to come? Or can Mandela and de Klerk overcome their differences and mutual suspicion and calm their followers, plotting a way forward?

In The Plot to Save South Africa, acclaimed South African journalist Justice Malala recounts the riveting story of the next nine days – never before told in full – revealing rarely seen sides of both Mandela and de Klerk, the fascinating behind-the-scenes debates within each of their parties over whether to pursue peace or war, and their increasingly desperate attempts to restrain their supporters despite mounting popular frustrations.

Flitting between the points of view of over a dozen characters on all sides of the conflict, Justice Malala offers an illuminating look at successful leadership in action… and a terrifying reminder of just how close a country we think of today as a model for racial reconciliation came to civil war.
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‘A dramatic work of history, prodigiously reported and beautifully crafted. Justice Malala is a first-rate storyteller, deftly weaving history with a narrative that reads like a novel. I couldn’t put it down’ Jonathan Eig, New York Times bestselling author of Ali: A Life

‘Magnificent, furious and unputdownable’ Andrew Harding, BBC Africa correspondent and author of These Are Not Gentle People

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Justice Malala (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc

Riveting read

A riveting book about the week after Nelson Mandela’s protégé Chris Hani was assassinated. Fast paced and gripping it reads like a thriller. Audible brilliant by South African actor Nick Boraine, son of anti-apartheid cleric and deputy chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Alex Boraine. Prologue and Epilogue well read by the author. Insightful and well researched reportage by Justice Malala. Enlightening about the drama that unfolded behind the scenes during that time. Highly recommend for anyone interested in SA politics or history.

Page Turner

This historic tale has been conveyed in the style of murder mystery thriller, which leaves the reader turning the pages to catch every detail. I loved hearing Justice Malala personally reading the prologue and epilogue.

Riveting True story of a perilous time in SA’s history

Justice’s story brings to life this episode which nearly derailed SA’s transition to democracy. He has woven minutely researched detail into a tense page turner worthy of John le Carre. The narrator shilfully brings the characters into chilling focus. A compulsory read for anyone wanting to know about the end of apartheid.

Essential for South Africa at this time.

I loved this. Thank you Justice Malala for so vividly telling this pivotal part of our South African story. We need more such South African stories. Especially as we're now living in times where some are revising history, others are unfairly judging leaders like Mandela as sellouts. Thank you for doing Justice to the story of our hero, Chris Hani and by extension, those of the many men and women, across different races who worked tirelessly, often at great danger to life and limb, in order to give birth to this, our glorious South Africa. 🇿🇦

This book should be prescribed reading for South African youth.