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By Yasmeen Sewnarain

Digital Journalist


Book review: The Rise & Demise of the Afrikaners

Topics range from 'Bantu education' to Nelson Mandela’s relationship with the last Afrikaner leaders.


The Rise & Demise of the Afrikaners

Author: Hermann Giliomee
Price: R350
Pages: 376
ISBN: 97806 24086 727

Crossing the Rubicon

Acclaimed historian Hermann Giliomee explains the dramatic ascent – and possible demise – of a small minority group that dominated 20th century South Africa.

Afrikaners are unique in the world in that they mobilised ethnic entrepreneurship without state assistance, controlled government for almost 50 years and yielded power without military defeat.

Topics range from parties use of the “coloured vote”, “Bantu education”, and the Rubicon speech to Nelson Mandela’s relationship with the last Afrikaner leaders.

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