In this captivating discussion, Pagecast host Maryam Adams engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Jonathan Ancer, an award-winning journalist known for his diverse career as a reporter, features writer, and crossword columnist. Jonathan is the author of notable biographies on Craig Williamson and Pravin Gordhan. His latest book, Bullsh*t: 50 Fibs That Made South Africa, delves into the intriguing and often surprising fabrications that have shaped the nation's history.

Join us as we explore Jonathan's literary journey and uncover some of the most fascinating fibs from his latest book. Jonathan shares his insights on the importance of literary festivals like Kingsmead and their impact on the local literary community. We also discuss his favorite fibs, some that didn't make it into the book, and what he plans to cover next.

Don't miss this enlightening episode as we delve into the stories and fabrications that have shaped South Africa.

Enjoy!

In this episode, Pagecast host Maryam Adams engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Sven Axelrad, who burst onto the literary scene in 2023 with his magical and quirky debut, Buried Treasure. An accountant by profession, Sven is an avid reader (devouring 65 books a year), a tattoo enthusiast, guitar player, and dog lover. His second novel, God’s Pocket, has just been released.

Join us as we explore Sven's remarkable transition from the world of accounting to the literary world. Sven shares his journey, discusses his literary muses, and gives us an inside look into his latest book, God’s Pocket, including the inspiration behind it. We also get a sneak peek into his plans for book number three.

Don't miss this enlightening episode as we delve into the creative mind of Sven Axelrad and his captivating storytelling.

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In this discussion, Pagecast host Michael Ward engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Lloyd Burnard, the sports editor of News24.com and the author of Miracle Men and Insights into the Rugby World Cup. Lloyd's 2024 book, Twice the Glory: The Making of the Greatest Bok Team in History, delves into the fascinating story behind South Africa's most successful rugby team.

Join us as we explore the current state of sports in our nation and the unique power of sports to unite South Africans. Lloyd shares insights from his latest book, Twice the Glory, offering a detailed look at what makes this Bok team truly the greatest in history.

Don't miss this enlightening episode as we discuss the unifying spirit of sports and the compelling narratives behind South Africa's rugby success.

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In this discussion, Pagecast host Kelly Ansara engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Barbara Boswell, a distinguished writer and scholar from Cape Town. Barbara draws much of her inspiration from her vibrant hometown. As an Associate Professor of English Literary Studies at the University of Cape Town, she has authored notable works including Grace: A Novel, which won the UJ Prize for Debut Creative Writing, And Wrote My Story Anyway: Black South African Women’s Novels as Feminism, and Lauretta Ngcobo: Writing as the Practice of Freedom.

Join us as we delve into Barbara's latest book, The Comrade's Wife. Barbara shares her inspirations and the compelling narrative behind this new release. We also explore the significance of literary festivals like Kingsmead for authors and the local literary community.

Don't miss this enlightening episode as Barbara discusses her participation in a panel on life and death, alongside Sewela Langeni and Barry Gilder, where they will explore the trials of the liberation struggle.

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In this thrilling discussion, Pagecast host Nompumelelo Mgidlana engages in a thought-provoking conversation with the phenomenal Nozibele Mayaba! Nozibele is a renowned HIV activist, internationally recognized podcaster, speaker, and TV host. She recently partnered with Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio to launch a youth podcast, Don’t Hold Back, Say It Loud. Her TV show, #YesIHaveHIV on HONEY, DStv channel 173, has empowered many to disclose their HIV statuses to their loved ones. The show is now in its second season.

Join us as we explore Nozibele's latest brave account of living with HIV, Positively Me. Nozibele shares the inspiration behind her new book and discusses the gut-wrenching honesty with which she narrates her journey of living and loving beyond HIV.

Don't miss this enlightening episode as Nozibele speaks about her participation in the panel on The Mother Wound, where she will discuss parent-related pain alongside Colleen Higgs, Moshitadi Lehlomela, and Lisa Lazarus.

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In this captivating discussion, Pagecast host Maryam Adams engages in a thought-provoking conversation with the remarkable Ryan Blumenthal. Ryan is a seasoned forensic pathologist with over twenty years of experience in the field, based in South Africa. His book, Autopsy: Life in the Trenches with a Forensic Pathologist in Africa, published by Jonathan Ball Publishers in August 2020, became a non-fiction bestseller in South Africa. Ryan also gained widespread recognition through his eight-part documentary, Lightning Pathologist, which aired on People’s Weather (Channel 180) on DStv, attracting over 2.2 million viewers.

Join us as we explore Ryan's latest book, Risking Life for Death, which delves into Locard’s Exchange Principle and the daily dangers faced by forensic pathologists. Ryan shares his experiences and insights from his fascinating career.

Don't miss this enlightening episode as Ryan discusses his participation in the panel, When the Dead Speak, with Sunday Times Books online editor Mila De Villiers and fellow forensic expert Hestelle van Staden. They provide a unique glimpse into the world of forensic pathology and what it’s like to see dead people.

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In this captivating discussion, Pagecast host Bradley Lutz engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Hendrik Hancke. Hendrik is a journalist at the Sunday Times in Johannesburg, with a rich background as a performing poet, playwright, and artist manager. During his time at Rapport, Hendrik won two Legend24 awards in 2017 for Investigative Journalist of the Year and Feature Writer of the Year. He also developed a passion for sports writing, particularly rugby.

Join us as we explore Hendrik's latest book, ONKANT, a rugby love story that captures his deep appreciation for the sport. Hendrik shares insights into his writing journey and discusses the themes and inspirations behind his new book.

Don't miss this enlightening episode as Hendrik talks about his participation in the panel, The Winning Kant, where he joins Dylan Rogers, Lloyd Burnard, and David O’Sullivan to celebrate the glory of rugby and discuss defending the Rugby World Cup.

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In this captivating discussion, Pagecast host Maryam Adams engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Wisani Mushwana. Wisani is a talented writer and researcher who holds an MA in Creative Writing (with distinction) from the University of Cape Town and is currently completing his PhD in English Studies at the same university. His debut novel, A Soft Landing, has already made waves in the literary community.

Join us as we explore Wisani's journey in writing his first novel, A Soft Landing. Wisani shares the creative process behind the book and gives us an inside look into its themes and inspirations. We also discuss his experience at the Kingsmead Book Festival and what it means to him as an emerging author.

Don't miss this enlightening episode as we delve into the world of literature and what’s next for Wisani Mushwana.

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In this captivating discussion, Pagecast host Maryam Adams engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Farai Mudzingwa, a talented freelance writer. Farai's short fiction has been published by Weaver Press, Kwani?, and Enkare Review II, while his longform articles and reporting have appeared in Chimurenga Chronic, The Mail & Guardian, The Johannesburg Review of Books, Africa Is A Country, This Is Africa, The Africa Report, and New Humanitarian. He has been recognized with several prestigious nominations and awards, including the Miles Morland Writing Scholarship shortlist (2019) and the Short Story Day Africa competition shortlist (2019).

Join us as we explore Farai's latest book, Avenues by Train. Farai shares insights into the themes and inspirations behind his work and discusses the significance of literary festivals like Kingsmead for authors and the local literary community.

Don't miss this enlightening episode as we delve into Farai's creative process and what’s next for him in his literary journey.

Enjoy!

Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. 

Today’s episode features the the remarkable Beverley Roos-Muller - speaking about her latest book Hunting the Seven.

Never have seven people been so hunted. By assassins. By journalists, lawyers and activists in search of the truth and TRC investigators wanting justice for the victims’ families.

In 1986, seven young men were shot and killed by police in Gugulethu in Cape Town. The nation was told they were a ‘terrorist’ MK cell, which was plotting an attack on a police unit. An inquest followed, then a dramatic trial in 1987 and another inquest in 1989. Finally, the fact that Eugene de Kock’s Vlakplaas unit plotted and drove the operation was revealed at the Truth and Reconciliation ten years after the murders, but Vlakplaas’s real agenda remained shrouded in mystery.

In *Hunting the Seven*, Beverley Roos-Muller tells the story of the Gugulethu Seven and the hunt for the truth of their deaths. She reveals that it was Vlakplaas’s only operation in the Western Cape and was an elaborate, deadly scheme designed to keep the money rolling into the death squad’s slush fund.

In this epsiode of Pagecast, Beverley is in conversation with Award-winning journalist, Beauregard Tromp, the Africa editor of the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.

Enjoy!