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Throughout the 100 year history of the ANC the party has faced numerous battles – overcoming apartheid, rising to power, transitioning the country to a new democracy, uplifting the previously disadvantaged and overcoming the scourge of racism, to name just a few. And in the 18 years since South Africa’s return to democracy many new challenges have come to the fore, many of which will take centre stage at Mangaung in December this year.
From the 16th to the 20th of December 2012 this municipality in the Free State, where the ANC was formed 100 years ago, will become the socio-political centre of South Africa as the ANC hosts its National Elective Conference.
However, the road to Mangaung is about more than just the ANC. This elective conference is arguably one of the most important political events since the start of democracy in South Africa. The lead up to and the outcome of the conference will have far reaching implications for all South Africans, from the economy and job creation to stimulating direct foreign investment and rekindling South Africa’s role as the driver of African prosperity.
With so many layers of complexity and the ANC’s centenary as the backdrop, the eyes of South Africa will be cast on the conference as party members head to Mangaung to reflect on the past and look to the future in an attempt to shape the party’s and the country’s direction. With the multitude of intricate plots and sub-plots at play it is easy for the layman to get lost in the rhetoric amidst the barrage of information that surrounds this important event.
To help the average South African better understand South Africa’s ‘Road To Mangaung’, a journey that spans 100 years, Exclusive Books has created an anthology of relevant, thought provoking literature. Part of the “Road to Mangaung” collection, the books document key happenings in the history of the country and the ANC, as well as other important event in recent years, to ensure South Africans are armed with the knowledge they need to make sense of it all.
Every month, until December, Exclusive Books will present readers with the most relevant titles to help them keep track of the who’s who and what’s what of Mangaung. For instance, author André Odendaal brings readers The Founders: The Origins of the African National Congress and the Struggle for Democracy, a book that reflects on the rich history of the party, while Heather Hughes tells the story of The First President: The life of John Dube. Saul Dubow also recounts the struggle at the heart of the ANC’s mission in South Africa’s Struggle For Human Rights.
Award winning author William Gumede strikes at the heart of matters facing the country with his book Restless Nation: Making Sense of Troubled Times, while Martin Plaut and Paul Holden pull no punches with their book Who Rules South Africa? Pulling the Strings in the Battle for Power. Frank Chikane’s book Eight Days in September: The Removal of Thabo Mbeki delves into one of the most contentious issues to plague the ANC of late.
The Understanding the ANC Today series by Ben Turok, intended to provide ANC members, supporters and the wider public with in-depth assessments of the ANC’s thinking on policy and politics, hopes to stimulate wider debate and discussion on the leading issues of the day.
Additional books in the collection include Govan Mbeki by Colin Bundy, Songs & Secrets: South Africa from Liberation to Governance by Barry Gilder, Why Africa is Poor by Greg Mills and The ANC Youth League by Clive Glaser.
With such a comprehensive list of relevant material South Africans have the opportunity to better understand the events that have taken place along the Road to Mangaung, which is quite possibly the most significant happening in South African politics since the expulsion of Julius Malema. So get informed and join the debate by visiting your nearest Exclusive Books store or order online via www.exclus1ves.co.za.
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