Why read Poli Poli?

Book cover of Poli Poli

Book description

Poli Poli is a remarkable history that speaks to African identity, close family bonds, belonging, struggle and sacrifice, women's rights, and femininity, and is written with the lyricism and transporting detail of one of the country's greatest wordsmiths.

Barbara Masekela powerfully conveys the realities of life under apartheid and illustrates…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Poli Poli as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Manu Herbstein

Author

I met author Barbara Masekela in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1967. We met again briefly in Cape Town in 1992. This remarkable memoir tells the story of the first 21½ years of her life, all of it new to me.

It is the story of a young black girl of mixed family heritage growing up in apartheid South Africa when I was growing up as a young white boy in the same country. I can’t wait to read the volumes that must surely follow Poli Poli.

From Manu's 3 favorite reads in 2023.