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Rainbow books!

Calling all South African readers and riters! We are the rainbow, friends, and we have stories to tell. Share your thoughts with us!

Symbols of SA: Natural

Symbols of SA: Coins

Symbols of SA: Badges

Classic South African Reads I

The World That Made Mandela

By Luli Callinicos

Bringing history and geography together, this is a large coffee-table-sized book filled with archival and contemporary images, telling the story of Nelson Mandela and his struggle for SA's freedom through the many places associated with his life. From his birthplace in Qunu to the Old Fort in Johannesburg, where he was held prisoner (and which is now the site of the Constitutional Court), from Soweto to Mpumalanga, the images provide a wonderful historical context for SA today, combining to form a unique "heritage trail".

Long Walk to Freedom

By Nelson Mandela

The towering figure of South Africa's liberation struggle began this autobiography in prison, having pages in tiny writing smuggled out by comrades. When he came out of jail in 1990, and went on to become SA's first black president in 1994, he continued the work, and it is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Mandela, the times he has lived through and the war he waged for freedom. He also authorised a biography by Anthony Sampson (see box right), which provides much useful extra information and differing perspectives.

Tomorrow Is Another Country

By Allister Sparks

Sparks is a veteran South African journalist and author of The Mind of South Africa. His account of the transition from apartheid to democracy is one of several, but undoubtedly the best. It describes, from behind the scenes, the process that began with tentative contact between the sworn enemies, moving through the unbanning of the liberation movements and the complex negotiations that led to SA's first fully democratic election in 1994.

A History of South Africa

By Frank Welsh

The revised and updated edition of this comprehensive one-volume history of South Africa goes beyond the achievement of democracy to look at the problems facing the new society in the period since Nelson Mandela ended his term as SA's first black president. The book also goes back into SA history, and explains the country's ethnic mix - though it has also been criticised for pro-Afrikaner attitudes. Judge for yourself.

The Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902

By Fransjohan Pretorius

By the end of the 19th century, South Africa was partly a British colony and partly a pair of independent Afrikaner republics. British imperialism and capitalist expansionism meant that the independence of the republic (particularly the gold-rich Transvaal) would come under threat. In 1899, the second Ango-Boer War, which made the earlier conflict seem negligible, broke out. In some ways, it was the first modern war, one that saw the invention of trench warfare, concentration camps and guerrilla fighting, as the highly organised British army squared up against the motley band of farmer-hunter-soldiers that made up the loose-knit Boer army. It was also a conflict that defined the political future of a united South Africa. Pretorius gives the best outline of the war, focusing on aspects (such as the participation of large numbers of black people) that were hitherto ignored.

Taken from the article '25 Classic South African Reads' posted by SouthAfrica.info

Rainbow Reader & Riters will post more classic reads in the next few days.

Those coffee table images

The natural beauty of SA

Cathedral Peak, Drakensberg

Table Mountain, Cape Town

Hole-in-the-wall, Transkei

Blyde River Canyon

Augrabies Falls

Tsitsikamma Forest

Kalahari Desert

Cango Caves

Storms River Gorge

Coffee table books

A term I don't really agree with, the 'coffee table book', because EVERY book is the hard work and creativity of the authors (and artists/photographers) involved. A big book filled with images and type deserves respect and is more than a decorative piece on a coffee table. Having said that, there are some awesome coffee table books available about South Africa! Our history, our natural beauty, our varied wildlife and more.

Do you have a favourite? Would you like to showcase yours? Talk to Rainbow about it!

Kick-start

Hello to all readers and writers! While we're busy with the emails and awaiting the replies that will fill this space with insights into the publishing industry and showcase new talents, we welcome all submissions from South Africans on the subject of words. Do you have a poem you would like to submit? Do so. Have you been interviewed in our local presses? Send the info and the links. Have you self-published? Send us a blurb, cover and links. Read a good SA author recently? Share your review here. Would like to see more on a certain subject, such as cover designs, formatting, advice about international publishing? Ask away.

Drop us a word in 'comments' and Rainbow will get back to you! Would love to hear your voices! Let's kick-start this blog meanwhile!

A little bit of SA...

...while this blog is built:

Rainbow nation (image)

For our international visitors!

SA Poets (Wiki)

And here's the list of famous SA poets, according to Wikipedia. Are you a poet, reader? Would love to showcase your work here!

SA Authors (Wikipedia)

Just a few famous SA authors, according to Wikipedia. Periodically we shall discuss those who have set foot to the publishing path from these shores, but the aim is to focus on unheard voices. You, you and YOU reading right now!

WELCOME TO THE RAINBOW NATION

I am a reader and writer. In my experience South African voices are not properly heard abroad. I would like to change that! Welcome therefore to this little space where I hope to showcase new SA talent, highlight published works and display reader insights.

More on how it will work to follow.