
1986
William Dicey(Author)
Umuzi (Publisher)
Published on 1. September 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-4152-1052-9 (ISBN)
Description
1986 was a pivotal year in South African history. It was the year of the vigilante, the year of the necklace - but also the year the talking began.
Drawing on newspaper articles, memoirs, and little-known histories, William Dicey presents a compelling diary of a very bad year.
He focuses on ordinary people, showing what life was actually like under an authoritarian regime - from the six hours a day that black workers in KwaNdebele spent on buses to the rebel sporting tours that provided a distraction for white South Africans.
Some stories foreshadow the miracle of 1990 - for instance, the deputy commander of Pollsmoor Prison takes Nelson Mandela on a scenic drive around Cape Town, years before his eventual release. Other stories shine a light on our current conflicts.
Written in crisp prose, 1986 is a model of historical excavation, deftly evoking the spirit of the times.
Drawing on newspaper articles, memoirs, and little-known histories, William Dicey presents a compelling diary of a very bad year.
He focuses on ordinary people, showing what life was actually like under an authoritarian regime - from the six hours a day that black workers in KwaNdebele spent on buses to the rebel sporting tours that provided a distraction for white South Africans.
Some stories foreshadow the miracle of 1990 - for instance, the deputy commander of Pollsmoor Prison takes Nelson Mandela on a scenic drive around Cape Town, years before his eventual release. Other stories shine a light on our current conflicts.
Written in crisp prose, 1986 is a model of historical excavation, deftly evoking the spirit of the times.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
South Africa
Publishing group
Penguin Random House South Africa
Illustrations
Black and White
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 134 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-4152-1052-9 (9781415210529)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
William Dicey is the author of two critically acclaimed books, Borderline (2004) and Mongrel (2016). He lives in Cape Town.