This publication is a reader and a catalogue. It is companion to the Exhibition Democracy X: Marking the Present and Re-presenting the Past. A written and visual record of the exhibition, it also explores a range of historical, cultural and political matters related to the exhibition, but not confined to it. It is thus an archive and a resource text pertinent to South African studies.

Like the exhibition, the reader intends to create awareness and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in South Africa and the contributions of each to the make-up of this society. The purpose is to disseminate cultural knowledge and to stimulate debate among late high school and early university students as well as the broader public.

The publication consists of an exhibition essay and a full-colour catalogue of the objects, images and installations from the exhibition. In addition, some 40 essays, written by eminent authors in an accessible style, trace the course of South Africa’s intricate path to democracy. These essays, like the exhibition, deal with South African culture, history and politics from the earliest traces of humanity to the present.

Planned to coincide with the commemoration of South Africa’s first decade of democracy, it goes beyond this moment. It examines the diversity of cultures in South Africa historically and from present perspectives attentive to how South African society moves into the future on its still fragile democratic foundations.

Stunningly illustrated and provocatively written, this publication, is essential for everyone eager to know more about South Africa’s diverse cultures and complex history.

Contributors are:
 

Andries Oliphant Peter Delius Lalou Meltzer Rayda Becker Patricia Davison Simon Hall Duncan Miller Michael Weeder Irene Mafune Mavis Smallberg Helen Bradford Bill Nasson Christopher Saunders

Pallo Jordan Jeremy Cronin Lawrence Schlemmer Herman Giliomee Xolele Mangcu Maande Maludze Jeremy Seekings Colin Smuts Keorapetse Kgositsile Yvette Abrahams Fiona Rankin-Smith Jonathan Jansen

Leonard Gentle Frank Meintjies Edward Lahiff Sipho Mdanda Mike Dearham Guy Berger Muff Andersson Lynne Maree Andre Odendaal Archie Henderson Rodney Reiners Jonathan Shapiro

The publication will be launched later in the year. For more information, contact Lalou Meltzer: 021 464 1263, lmeltzer@iziko.org.za