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

Critic reviews

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

'Gripping and important'

‘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, nuanced and un-put-downable. Malala steers us through the hatred, the grief, and the courage that shaped one nation-shaking week. The result is a searing thriller, a deeply moving work of investigative journalism, and a mesmerising reminder of what leadership can achieve - and what South Africa almost squandered’ (Andrew Harding, BBC Africa correspondent)

‘A suspenseful nonfiction thriller’

‘Fast-paced, gripping, and expertly crafted, this book reads like a political thriller. With thorough reporting and vivid writing, Justice Malala delivers readers into the heart of South Africa as it faced unprecedented upheaval. The result is a brilliant, moving, and extraordinary account of nine days that shaped a country and a continent, with the entire world looking on’ (Toluse Olorunnipa, co-author of His Name is George Floyd)

‘Although heart-wrenching at times, Malala's immaculately researched account underscores the power of Mandela’s great leadership in unimaginably difficult times’

Doggedly researched and immersively told, this is a fascinating study of a nation on the brink.

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 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.

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.