Gareth Langdon has reviewed Sean Christie’s excellent account of stowaways living on the margins of a quickly gentrifying Cape Town for Aerodrome.

In the excellent Under Nelson Mandela Boulevard: Life Among the Stowaways, Christie ventures deep into the underground world of African stowaways who call Cape Town’s and other coastal city’s bridges, highways, and forests their home. The foreshores and harbours of these places offer the perfect viewing point for those whose lives are dictated by the tides of ships coming in and out, offering escape routes and temporary shelter. Befriending one stowaway in particular, Adam, Christie infiltrates the exclusive culture of the stowaways who call themselves the Beachboys, and examines in personal detail some of the most destitute of Cape Town like few others have before.

For the full review, click on the link above.

Categories South Africa

Tags Jonathan Ball Publishers Reviews Sean Christie Under Nelson Mandela Boulevard