On this episode of TGE’s Current Read, we sit down with Mpho Boshego — author, communications strategist and former South African diplomat — to unpack her bold and compelling debut novel, Diplomatic Ties.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in diplomacy, stakeholder relations and corporate communications – including her time as a South African diplomat in Belgium – Boshego lifts the veil on the rarely spoken-about underbelly of international diplomacy. 

Through the eyes of Mbali, an ambitious young graduate from Mamelodi, Diplomatic Ties explores what happens when personal history collides with political influence.

In this episode, we delve into:

– The author's real-life diplomatic experience and how it shaped the novel

– Writing sex, power, and corruption without flinching

– The contrast between township life and diplomatic opulence

– Feminism, integrity and feeling tainted as a woman

– Why fiction offers freedom in writing

– What it means to be South African on a global stage

We also talk about Mpho’s creative writing journey, the discipline behind finishing a debut novel, and unforgettable passages from the book. Naturally, we chat about the potential for a second novel on the horizon and get a reading from the author herself.

If you’re interested in African literature, political fiction, women’s stories, or power dynamics behind closed doors, DO NOT sleep on this conversation.

🎧 Welcome to TGE’s Current Read — where books meet bold conversation.

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