Mandela and the General

Carlin, John. Mandela and the General. 2018. 112p. ISBN 9780874868203. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

General Constand Viljoen joined the South African army as a soldier in the 1960s, fighting against Communists and Black activists. As a member of the ruling white Afrikaan minority, Viljoen cheered when Nelson Mandela, a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC), was arrested for sabotage and sentenced to life in prison. Viljoen raised through the ranks, becoming Commander in Chief of South Adfrica's armed forces. At the same time, hoever, the political regime known as apartheid, which represented White rule and which had been instaured following the Second World War, had begun to crumble under international pressure and internal activism.

As the world changed in 1990, with the Soviet Union's collapse, the reunification of Germany, and the rollback of the Iron Curtain, South Africa was not immune. The apartheid regime released Mandela after 27 years in captivity. Mandela took the reins of the ANC and negotiated with the South African president to put an end of the apartheid regime. Free elections were called in 1994. 

With the electoral campaign heating up and the most likely election of a Black government for the first time, General Viljoen was approached by radical members of nationalist militias, who offered their services to protect White power. Ready to lead a coup against a new government, Viljoen meets Mandela for the first time, and the two of them talk of their lives. Viljoen realizes that a coup attempt will lead to bloodshed and generational destruction, and though the White minority possess most of the weapons, they do not have the numbers needed to successfully win and occupy the country. Mandela, for this part, knows that a coup will lead to vengeance requests from his people, which would destroy their society. 

The two of them begin to negotiate a transition in secret, where no coup will take place, and where the rights of the White minority will be protected by the new government. Against all odds, in 1994 a peaceful transition of power takes place, and the predicted violence does not occur. General Viljoen refuses to lead the conspirators, and Mandela becomes the first Black president of South Africa. Bitter enemies became friends and gave their society a chance to thrive.

The illustrations of this graphic novel are crisp and the coloring reflect the tones of South Africa. Fans of history will learn how a coup almost took place against Mandela's ANC government, and how the Nobel Peace winner was able to diffuse the situation by turning an enemy into a friend.

Paraguay

 Jermyn, Leslie. Paraguay. Part of the Cultures of the World series. 2000. 128p. ISBN 9780761409793. Available at 989.2 JER on the Library Shelves.

Paraguay is a study in contrasts. Lacking in mineral wealth, isolated from the rest of the world and without access to the ocean, Paraguay was inhabited by two large groups, the Guaraní, who were farmers and who  lived in the eastern parts of Paraguay, and the Guaycuruan, nomads who lived in the desertic western part of Paraguay. Unlike other South American countries, Spanish colonists never flocked to Paraguay in large numbers, and its native population continued to thrive. To this day, Guaraní is one of the two official languages, the only South American country to retain one of its native language, which is spoken by a majority of the population.

Falling under Spanish domination in the 1500s, Paraguay became independent in 1811, and a dictator assumed power. Paraguay has been plagued with mismanagement and dictatorial governments for much of its history, leaving its people in relative poverty. Ill-advised wars in the 1800s and 1900s cost the country territories and devastated its population. The country continues to suffer from these decisions, but in the 21st century it has been relatively stable.

Culturally, Paraguay remains fairly insular, with traditions adapted from this mixed heritage of Spanish and Guaraní. People in the countryside are poorer than their urban counterparts, and educating its population continues to be a challenge. Despite these problems, Paraguayans are proud and love their country, and tourists find themselves welcome and appreciated.

This Book Betrays My Brother

 Molope, Kagiso Lesego. This Book Betrays My Brother.  2012. 208p. ISBN 9780199059225. 

South Africa remains a land of contrasts, with a majority Black population still suffering from decades of White domination. Naledi was born in a family of girls. There hasn't been a male in her family until the birth of her brother, who is three years older. Basi, Naledi's brother, was destined for great things, or so everyone said. Her parents had risen in social class thanks to an enterprising spirit, and their ownership of a grocery store allowed them to move out of the center of town and to the outskirts, where walls are tall to protect one's privacy. 

Naledi has always been impressed with her brother, and sought to spend as much time together as they could. Free to roam the neighborhood, Basi would regal her with tales of the boys' adventures, including the day they found a dead body. Basi and Naledi shared a common bond against their overly strict parents, and they worked together to ensure they had as much freedom as possible.

Now 13, Naledi is growing up. She's always been interested in boys, but now she's even more interested. When Kitsano invites her to a school dance, Basi allies with her and forces their parents' hand, allowing Naledi to attend. Preparing for the dance and thinking about what may come next has Naledi all excited.

But then she stumbles upon her brother raping his girlfriend at a party. Suddenly, everything she thought she knew about him crumbles into ashes. Her brother the protector, the defender of innocence, has betrayed everything that he stands for. Faced with this secret, Naledi must decide whether loyalty to a friend or loyalty to family is more important in the name of justice...