Quintus Potgieter has reviewed The A to Z of South African Politics: People, Parties and Players on his digital talk show – The Quintessential Show.

The A to Z of South African Politics was compiled and written by newspaper editor and former investigative journalist Kashiefa Ajam, former editor of three newspapers and award-winning journalist Kevin Ritchie, former newspaper editor and award-winning journalist Lebogang Seale, former newspaper editor and award-winning author Janet Smith and top news editor and award-winning journalist Thabiso Thakali.

The book contains all the information you need to navigate your way through our complex political scene.

With more than 300 entries covering important terms, events, policies, groups and individuals, it’s an excellent source of current and historical data.

Potgieter kicks off his in-depth review with a quote from Thuli Madonsela’s Forward to The A to Z of South African Politics:

Books can inspire us to love or hate. Books can influence who and what we admire or despise. Our perspective on what’s important and what isn’t is also greatly influenced by what we read. Books are generally an important socialising agent which impacts on our values of what is normal and aberrant.

Potgieter dives into and interrogates different aspects of the book, commending its relevance and accessibility.

‘I think the most useful thing that this book does is identify who are change agents,’ he says. ‘As a citizen you should probably read it, and when you read it you figure out that there are a lot of things you don’t know – and that means there’s a lot to figure out about this country and how it works, so it’s particularly useful.’

Watch the review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1HEl4pqZgA&feature=youtu.be

Categories Non-fiction South Africa South African Current Affairs

Tags Book Reviews Janet Smith Kashiefa Ajam Kevin Ritchie Lebogang Seale Parties and Players Thabiso Thakali The A to Z of South African Politics The A to Z of South African Politics: People The Quintessential Show