A book for very pleasant reading and a
worthy place on your coffee table. (Review by Lesley-May Gibson)
In the introduction of his updated 4th
edition, This is South Africa, Peter
Borchert introduces the reader to the land, its people, the regions, the path
of history and its new era with photography by Roger De LA Harpe and Jean du
Plessis.
Borchert is an independent commentator,
publisher, conservationist and lifetime protagonist for the value of Africa's
wild places and cultural heritage. His media and publishing career spans some
45 years. As the founder and publisher of Africa Geographic magazine, he won
high regard for his vision, probing editorials and as a commentator on and
about Africa. Over the past six years, he has also pioneered the scripting and
presentation of digital content.
Through this lavishly colourful edition
which has 160 pages, Borchert takes the reader on a magical journey of South
Africa from the North to the South. It begins in the Highveld with Johannesburg
at the epicentre – a mining town turned metropolis, thanks to the vast reserves
of gold. Then it continues from the Highveld to the Lowveld with its world
famous private and state-owned game reserves and the original mining towns
bearing quaint names, such as Pilgrim’s Rest, God’s Window and Barberton. This
is an area sometimes known as ‘Jock of the Bushveld’ country after Sir Percy
Fitzpatrick.
The landscape changes and the journey takes
the reader through the verdant hills of KwaZulu-Natal with the majestic
Drakensberg mountain range forming its western border. Here, too, are some of
the country’s highest peaks.
Borchert then leads us through the Transkei
and Eastern Cape offering glimpses into the vast semi-desert regions of the
Karoo, and finally into Cape Town with its wine-growing countryside rivalling
those of France and Germany.
Through magnificent high-quality
photographs, the diversity of the land, its multi-cultural people, and the
flora and fauna of this unique land, are richly portrayed. The informative text
accompanying the photographs, takes the reader further into the fascinating and
beautiful land called South Africa. The stark contrast between traditional
African lifestyle and the rich European influence, makes this a book for very
pleasant reading and a worthy place on your coffee table.
This
is South Africa is published in soft cover by Struik
Travel and Heritage in 2018, ISBN, 9781775845157. - Lesley-May Gibson
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