Redi Tlhabi’s book launch packs Hyde Park

Wednesday night in Johannesburg saw people turn up in droves at the Hyde Park shopping centre to attend the book launch of Redi Tlhabi’s latest book, Khwezi.

The book tells the story of the late Fezekile Kuzwayo, the woman who in 2005 famously accused Jacob Zuma of raping her, but who, it turns out, had a remarkable life story in her own right. She passed on last year after living with HIV for many years.

Tlhabi’s Twitter account was hacked over the weekend, something she said could possibly have political intent as her book has been used as a political talking point, dividing opinion. Tlhabi has said she mostly compiled information that was always available to journalists so had not been expecting the book to be used as ammunition in the current succession battle in the ANC.

Tlhabi said on Saturday she found the hacking “highly disturbing that something like this would happen in a week where I have received reports that people are trying to use my book to influence the ANC’s elective conference”.

She continued: “I find it very strange. I am anxious about it [the book]. I didn’t anticipate that it would be getting a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons.”

Last year after the local government elections, a group of women interrupted President Zuma while he was giving a speech in Pretoria. They held up placards saying “Remember Khwezi”.

That appears to have happened tonight, and in a big way. It’s unusual for hundreds of people to turn up to any book launch. Rami Chuene tweeted that people were buying books as though they were being given away for free.

Fellow talk show personality and author Eusebius McKaiser interviewed Tlhabi outside Exclusive Books. There were far too many people for all of them to fit into the bookstore itself.

Isn't Redi Tlhabi looking gorgeous ?! #Khwezi launches in 20 minutes….. Here at Hyde Park. pic.twitter.com/0Ovwl0U5ax

— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) September 27, 2017

Hyde Park is shook! Too packed for words, books are flying off the tables like they're being given for free. Wow! 🙌🏾🇿🇦✊🏾#RediTlhabi #Khwezi pic.twitter.com/jaWqvrbKNV

— Rami Chuene (@ramichuene) September 27, 2017

Redi Tlhabi never disappoint ,I'm sure this book is hella interesting pic.twitter.com/CeaRBvJcCz

— Pages (@Ta_Pages) September 27, 2017

Tonight's book launch of #Khwezi was phenomenal. Commend @RediTlhabi for such quality work.

— Zuri Book Club (@Zuri_BookClub) September 27, 2017

Tonight's book launch of #Khwezi was phenomenal. Commend @RediTlhabi for such quality work.

— Zuri Book Club (@Zuri_BookClub) September 27, 2017

#Khwezi @RediTlhabi #RediThlabi new book. Packed crowd. Eclectic. Wonderful to see hope in action. @Eusebius pic.twitter.com/6wiZS0F6wI

— Chet Diepraam (@ChettyD) September 27, 2017

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