Promise and despair

The first struggle for a non-racial South Africa

Martin Plaut author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd

Published:16th Sep '16

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Promise and despair cover

Most people believe that black South Africans obtained the vote for the first time in 1994. In fact, for almost a century suitably qualified black people had enjoyed the vote in the Cape and Natal, and in certain constituencies had decided the outcome of parliamentary elections. Little wonder, then, that when the first South Africa came about in 1910, black people were keen to see the principle of non-racialism entrenched in the constitution that was drawn up for the new Union. This is the story of that struggle. Its centrepiece is a lively account of the delegation that travelled to London in mid-1909 to lobby for a non-racial constitution.

'This is a very well-written, lively and interesting account, with vivid descriptions and fascinating information about individuals. It is a great story, one that has been told in outline before, but this tells it from a number of new angles, is now the most comprehensive account, one that is well-researched, and draws on a host of recent relevant secondary works along with primary research.' - Professor Christopher Saunders, University of Cape Town

ISBN: 9781431423750

Dimensions: 235mm x 155mm x 15mm

Weight: 500g

288 pages