Local Non-Fiction Bestsellers

Behind the façade of South Africa lies a brutal shadow-world ruled by mafias, cartels, and crime syndicates locked in a ruthless war over South Africa’s riches. There’s the tobacco mafia. The water tanker mafia. The taxi mafia. The hospital mafia. The construction mafia. The kidnapping mafia. Each one feeds off a vast web of patronage and extraction that stretches from street level to the highest echelons of government. Their bloodsucking tentacles reach deep into municipalities, stateowned enterprises, political parties, the police, and even the National Prosecuting Authority. Those who resist them are silenced in cold blood. This is not a criminal underworld lurking in the shadows. It is part of the system itself. Where does organised crime end and the state begin? Are the two so intertwined that it has become near impossible to distinguish the one from the other? Has South Africa become a mafia state? Multi-award-winning investigative journalist Kyle Cowan sets out to answer these and other questions, revealing the dark underbelly of a country where the thin blue line has all but disappeared. Mafia Land is the hair-raising tale of twelve of South Africa’s most dangerous cartels, and how they will stop at nothing in their deadly, devastating plunder of our country.

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Morning CFO, I am just worried that the guys in Tembisa are going to realise we are onto something. Our lives could be in danger On 23 August 2021, Babita Deokaran – a hardworking single mother and chief accountant at the Gauteng Department of Health – was shot down in a hail of bullets outside her home in Mondeor, Johannesburg. She had just dropped off her daughter at school. The izinkabi paid to kill her were caught, but the question remained: Who ordered her murder, and why? Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks set out to find the answer. This quest would profoundly change – even endanger – his life, as he bravely followed the leads Babita had left behind. Leads that the Hawks, who were officially investigating her assassination, had failed to act on. In The Shadow State Wicks uncovers an audacious web of crooked officials, criminal syndicates and ANC politicians, siphoning away billions meant for patients in Gauteng’s public hospitals. An explosive, fast-paced investigation into greed and state capture, this book is also a moving tribute to the courage of one woman who, when confronted by powerful wrongdoers, refused to keep quiet.

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Through compelling stories of iconic African leaders like Nelson Mandela, Wangari Maathai, and contemporary changemakers, Thebe Ikalafeng presents his groundbreaking '7-Ps' system (People, Pause, Purpose, Proof, Presentation, Presence, and Protection) that helpsreaders align their professional success with their cultural identity. Rather than asking Africans to assimilate or hide their heritage, Rooted and Rising boldly declares that authentic African identity is not just an asset—it's a competitive advantage. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to build a meaningful legacy while staying true to their roots in an increasingly connected but often homogenised world. The book serves as both cultural reclamation and career strategy, providing readers with a revolutionary framework for building authentic personal brands that honour ancestral wisdom while competing on the global stage.

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Should Paul Mashatile be South Africa’s next president?  Surviving scandal, controversy and the Zuma years, Paul Mashatile has risen through the ranks to the doorstep of the presidency.  Over his political career spanning 30 years, he has successfully navigated the corruption and factionalism that the ANC has become known for.  Now, he wants to take charge of the party – and the Union Buildings. The question is: Should he? Is this man suitable for the highest office?  He has been associated with the ‘Alex Mafia’ for more than 30 years. What influence do they have over Mashatile? He leads a lavish lifestyle, living in luxury homes in Johannesburg and Cape Town. How were they acquired? He has been outspoken about the economy, Black Economic Empowerment, and South Africa’s foreign relations. But does he have firm principles? And how has his string of lovers affected his professional life?  This meticulously researched account by bestselling author Pieter du Toit answers these vital questions and reveals the dark truth about the ANC’s crown prince.

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Malema Money. Power. Patronage. This book tells the story of how Julius Malema used his growing political clout to bankroll his party and amass a personal fortune. It reveals astounding new details about Malema’s old, seemingly forgotten scandals in Limpopo and how loot from the VBS Bank found its way to Malema and Shivambu. It shows the insidious ways in which money courses through South African politics and how some leaders exploit valid grievances about inequality to steal from the very people they claim to fight for. 

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The results of the 29 May 2024 elections caused a seismic shift in South Africa’s political landscape. For the first time in three decades of democracy, the ruling ANC did not emerge with a majority. With a constitutional deadline of just fourteen days to elect a president, the nation held its breath. Would the ANC forge a so-called doomsday coalition with the EFF and Patriotic Alliance, or a centrist partnership with its nemesis, the DA? What role would smaller parties play, and how would Jacob Zuma’s disruptive MK party impact on the negotiations? The Deal takes you behind the scenes of the negotiations that redefined a nation, providing exclusive interviews with party leaders, unique insights and stories, thoughtful analysis and vital context. From the exclusive Inanda Club to clandestine hotel basements and affluent private houses on Johannesburg’s Westcliff Ridge, negotiating teams met under immense pressure. Amidst volatile markets, a skittish currency and intense social media scrutiny, every decision was critical.  Witness the nail-biting moments as talks through bilaterals and back channels teetered on the brink of collapse, and discover the personality clashes, factionalism and deft political manoeuvring that ultimately led to the establishment of the Government of National Unity. The Deal is a compelling record of history.

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Discover the ground-breaking, must-read history of Africa, the Sunday Times bestseller charting the epic story of the oldest inhabited continent in the world from the perspectives of Africans themselves. Shortlisted for the Nero Book AwardsPicked as a best paperback by the Sunday Times, Guardian and I paperRadio 4 Book of the WeekAs recommended on The Rest is PoliticsEveryone is originally from Africa, and this book is therefore for everyone. For too long, Africa’s history has been dominated by western narratives of slavery and colonialism or simply ignored. Now, award-winning journalist and broadcaster Zeinab Badawi sets the record straight. In this fascinating book, Badawi guides us through Africa’s spectacular history – from the origins of humanity, through ancient civilisations and medieval empires, to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence.Visiting more than thirty African countries to interview countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and local storytellers, Badawi weaves together a gripping new history of the oldest inhabited continent on the planet, told through the voices of Africans themselves.

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Meet the inspiring kasipreneurs of the informal economy, from bakers to backroom rental barons, coffee innovators to goat breeders, kasi delivery people to spaza innovators, mattress makers, backroom builders, vetkoek fryers and chicken dust queens, kota franchises and backyard auto mechanics. These kasipreneurs not only sustain their communities but also drive considerable economic growth and social improvement. Each one has a unique story, yet they share a common thread of perseverance, innovative spirit, resilience and ingenuity. While formal statisticspaint a bleak picture of widespread unemployment, this book tells a different story – one of ingenuity, resilience and drive. These are the men and women who are creating their own opportunities, building livelihoods, and contributing to the economy in ways that often gounrecognised. Their stories challenge the narrative and shine a light on a vibrant, entrepreneurial spirit thriving in the heart of the informal economy. KasiNomics Unleashed is also the story of the corporate pioneers; the executives who thrive doing business in these informal spaces – the listed property companies, township butchery chains, grocery delivery founders, furniture suppliers, financial services entrepreneurs and township property developers. As you delve into the tales of theseenterprising executives, you will discover insights and lessons that transcend the boundaries of conventional business wisdom. This is, on one hand, a book from GG Alcock about the business opportunities, pitfalls and key success factors for business in these rural and township spaces. But mostly it’s a deeply human story of the inspiring, tenacious entrepreneurs of our informal economy who are otherwise invisible – they are the future … a KasiNomic power unleashed.

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About 50km outside of Cape Town lies the beautiful town of Stellenbosch, nestled against vineyards and blue mountains that stretch to the sky. Here reside some of South Africa’s wealthiest individuals: all male, all Afrikaans – and all stinking rich. Johann Rupert, Jannie Mouton, Markus Jooste and Christo Weise, to name a few. Julius Malema refers to them scathingly as ‘The Stellenbosch Mafia’, the very worst example of white monopoly capital. But who really are these mega-wealthy individuals, and what influence do they exert not only on Stellenbosch but more broadly on South African society? Author Pieter du Toit begins by exploring the roots of Stellenbosch, one of the wealthiest towns in South Africa and arguably the cradle of Afrikanerdom. This is the birthplace of apartheid leaders, intellectuals, newspaper empires and more. He then closely examines this ‘club’ of billionaires. Who are they and, crucially, how are they connected? What network of boardroom membership, alliances and family connections exist? Who are the ‘old guard’ and who are the ‘inkommers’, and what about the youngsters desperate to make their mark? He looks at the collapse of Steinhoff: what went wrong, and whether there are other companies at risk of a similar fate. He examines the control these men have over cultural life, including pulling the strings in South Africa rugby.

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Sikhakhane masterfully unveils a prism through which the social injustices shaping South Africa today are starkly revealed. Drawing from his remarkable career as a Black man navigating the complexities of life in South Africa, he explores the unresolved historical injustices and conflicting interests that have led the nation to its precarious state. He delves into the paradox of liberation, where the pursuit of change is consistently undermined by an entrenched desire to preserve the status quo. Sikhakhane argues that this approach prioritizes safeguarding White privilege and the interests of White capital, often at the expense of true progress. With fervor, he critiques the pervasive hold of White power, the fractured promise of liberation, and the insidious narratives that vilify the oppressed while absolving the real perpetrators of systemic injustice. Rooted in activism and philosophical insight, this thought-provoking and inspirational book offers a captivating exploration of South Africa’s socio-political landscape. Sikhakhane’s journey is as enlightening as it is motivational, providing invaluable lessons for anyone who loves South Africa or seeks a deeper understanding of the intricate power dynamics shaping modern Africa.

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