Episode 38 - THESE ARE NOT GENTLE PEOPLE

Award-winning author and veteran BBC broadcaster Andrew Harding was my guest a few months ago on a YouTube show, Cover to Cover, which I co-hosted with fellow journalist Joanne Joseph. I interviewed him about his brilliant second book, These Are Not Gentle People, which has just won the most prestigious non-fiction award in South Africa, the Sunday Times/CNA Literary Award for non-fiction. Just outside Parys, in January 2016, events occurred that led to a community in turmoil: two black farm workers ended up dead and several white farmers stood accused of murder. Andrew spoke to me in gripping detail about the subsequent tensions and drama of the court case, which put on display South African life in a multiplicity of ways, beyond our racial fissures.This book is undoubtedly, to my mind, one of the best works of non-fiction in the last few years, illuminating contemporary South Africa in visceral ways without judging any of the characters portrayed. It feels like a brilliant crime thriller, a work of great fiction. Yet, sadly, it is all too real. This is the kind of work that no one could dispute as a worthy winner of many book awards.  That is why I simply had to transpose the YouTube video into an audio episode of In The Ring With Eusebius McKaiser Enjoy the conversation, and then go buy and read Andrew Harding's brilliant book, These Are Not Gentle People 

Om Podcasten

On In The Ring With Eusebius McKaiser I tackle all the uncomfortable topics that dominate public debate. With my reputation for fearless debate as a former World Masters Debate Champ, and a background in law and philosophy, you can expect debates on everything from whether or not it is racist for a non-black person to quote the N-word, to questions of how to tackle inequality, whether people are responsible for unconscious biases, the ethics of refusing to be vaccinated, the status of animals, debating books, and much more! The crucial differentiator of this podcast series compared to others is that it is fearless in its debate orientation, and no topic is off bounds! However, my motto is: "You are entitled to be treated with dignity .... but NOT to have your worldview affirmed!" So come with well-considered reasons for your viewpoints when you get YOUR chance to come on the platform to In The Ring With Eusebius McKaiser