The University of KwaZulu Natal Press is pleased to invite members of the public to the launch of Xolela Mangcu’s To the Brink: The State of Democracy in South Africa, at the upcoming conference, Paradoxes of the Postcolonial Sphere: South African Democracy at the Crossroads, co-hosted by Mangcu’s organisation, the Platform for Public Deliberation, and Wits University.
Mangcu was motivated to write To the Brink by his urgent sense that South Africa’s black political and intellectual tradition is being deeply violated. In the book, no relevant issues escape his analysis, from policy controversies surrounding HIV/AIDS through to Zimbabwe, corruption, the labelling of black critics as “foot lickers” of the white man, and Thabo Mbeki’s leadership style.
Although the bulk of the conference is open only to those who register for it, the launch – part of the conference event “The Night of the Columnists” with Carolyn Hamilton and Achille Mbembe – is open to all. Seating, however, is limited, so RSVPing in advance is essential. Please see the details below.
Event Details
More about the book
Drawing on the intellectual history of the Eastern Cape as well as his own life experiences, Xolela Mangcu contrasts damaging racial exclusivity with the adaptation, renewal and tolerance that has characterised the best traditions of South Africa’s liberation movements. He discusses how black and white people could build a joint culture and, finally, examines the ANC’s election of Jacob Zuma as its president at Polokwane, and its implications for the future of democracy in South Africa.
About the author
XOLELA MANGCU is executive chairman of the Platform for Public Deliberation and a visiting scholar at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The Platform for Public Deliberation is a not-for-profit think tank set up to promote a culture of open dialogue on political, cultural, and economic matters affecting South Africa, Africa and the world. The Platform aims to bring together universities and research institutes on the one hand, and the general public and lay people on the other, taking the form of public lectures, roundtable discussions and academic exchanges.
Mangcu is also a newspaper columnist, writing regularly for Business Day, The Weekender and the Sunday Times.
Book Details
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January 27th, 2008 @22:45 #
Note that the time of this event has been advertised as 7h30pm in the Star. Will check and amend the info above if necessary.
http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4219557
January 28th, 2008 @16:25 #
The launch begins at 19h30 tonight.