Until We Have Won Our Liberty

South Africa After Apartheid

By: Evan Lieberman

Narrated by: Daniel Henning

At a time when many democracies are under strain around the world, Until We Have Won Our Liberty shines new light on the signal achievements of one of the contemporary era's most closely watched transitions away from minority rule. South Africa's democratic development has been messy, fiercely contested, and sometimes violent. But as Evan Lieberman argues, it has also offered a voice to the voiceless, unprecedented levels of government accountability, and tangible improvements in quality of life.

Lieberman opens with a first-hand account of the hard-fought 2019 national election, and how it played out in Mogale City. From this launching point, he examines the complexities of South Africa's multiracial society and the unprecedented democratic experiment that began with the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994. While acknowledging the enormous challenges many South Africans continue to face—including unemployment, inequality, and discrimination—Lieberman draws on the country's history and the experience of comparable countries to demonstrate that elected Black-led governments have, without resorting to political extremism, improved the lives of millions.

Countering much of the conventional wisdom about contemporary South Africa, Until We Have Won Our Liberty offers hope for the enduring impact of democratic ideals.

©2022 Princeton University Press (P)2022 Tantor

An Honest Effort

In short South Africa is in rough shape as a country, but it could be worse. We should be optimistic because of this. The author goes on to detail how it could be worse, who's fault it is, and really because it is not worse that is a win for society. He waits until the last chapter to parlay how Trump is vicariously partly to blame. Save your money.