Publisher's Synopsis
Growing Old in 'Black' South Africa is a sequel to Growing Up in 'White' South Africa, and a continuation of a white South African male's journey against the backdrop of a changing socio-political, and, at times, turbulent landscape as the country transitioned from nearly half a century of enforced segregation policies to the inclusive democratic society that it is today. Written in the same fresh, humorous style that is the hallmark of his earlier book, the author takes the reader into a very personal experience of his years as a radio journalist, city councillor of a major South African city, university lecturer, playwright and TV documentary producer during this period of radical change in which he did what he could to challenge the barriers created by the Apartheid regime. His idealistic vision of the kind of society that a new dispensation could deliver in its promise of a better life for all its citizens has, however, been challenged severely along the way by systemic corruption within the current ruling party.
The spirit of Ubuntu promoted by struggle heroes like Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela, in which there is a recognition of the interdependence of all South Africans as a single nation, has dissipated over time as racism and corruption have taken a grip on the country, dividing its people and creating large pockets of civil unrest amongst those whose expectations have not been met.
