South Africa has a complicated history. Apartheid only ended 23 years ago, and although the country has undergone massive changes since then, the effects are still felt today.
Before you visit South Africa it’s important to learn about its turbulent past and vibrant culture and my favourite way to do this is through books. I didn’t read any history books but instead learnt through memoirs and novels by (mostly) South African writers sharing their experiences.
If you don’t have time to read them all, I’ve put an asterisk (*) next to the books I most recommend.
Non-Fiction Books About South Africa
1) Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela*
If you only read one book before visiting South Africa, make it Long Walk to Freedom. Nelson Mandela’s autobiography tells his inspiring story from childhood to the fight against apartheid, his 27 years in prison, and how he negotiated with his oppressors for the first democratic elections in South Africa and became president. It’s a long book but very much worthwhile and a truly remarkable story.
2) Invictus by John Carlin*
The Invictus film is also worth seeing but the book is much more detailed.
3) Born a Crime by Trevor Noah*
4) No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu
5) My Traitor's Heart by Rian Malan
Novels Set in South Africa
6) Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton*
7) The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay*
8) Tandia by Bryce Courtenay
9) The Housemaid’s Daughter by Barbara Mutch
10) Bitter Fruit by Achmat Dangor
11) The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso
12) Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee
Set in post-apartheid South Africa, Disgrace tells the story of David Lurie, a twice divorced English professor who is disgraced after an affair with a student. He leaves Cape Town to visit his daughter’s farm in a rural community where racial tensions are running high. All the books I read about South Africa are depressing to some extent, but Disgrace was just too much. That said, it won the Man Booker Prize in 1999, so you might want to try it for yourself.
If you’re looking for more travel reads, see my picks for the best coffee table travel books, travel memoirs, books about Iceland, and books about Japan.
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