In 2011 while riding his motorbike through Mali, on his way home from London to Johannesburg, Stephen McGown was taken captive in Timbuktu by Al Qaeda. He was held captive for almost six years giving him the unenviable record of Al Qaeda’s longest held prisoner.

Together with writer Tudor Caradoc-Davies, he wrote his book Six Years With Al Qaeda: The Stephen McGown Story. In this inspirational biography Steve uncovers the extraordinary lengths he went through to survive; from learning French and Arabic, converting to Islam and accepting a name given to him by his captors. His aim was to raise his status among Al Qaeda, keep himself alive and hopefully make his way back home.

Thousands of kilometres away in Johannesburg, the shock of his kidnapping hit his wife Cath and the rest of the McGown family. Working every option they could find, from established diplomatic protocols to the murky back channels of the kidnap game, they set to work on trying to free Steve.

Months turned to years and while the captive-captor dynamic was ever-present, Steve witnessed first hand what no westerner has ever seen before, giving him a nuanced perspective on one of the worlds most feared terrorist organisations.

The Zondo Commission of Inquiry was one of the most important political developments in modern South African history. The commission sat for years, hearing the evidence of 300 witnesses and gathering a vast quantity of documents.

The result is a damning and sometimes searing account of the state take over: how the Gupta family found willing acolytes in the state, and set about systematically looting the country and destroying institutions of democracy. There is little doubt that understanding South Africa’s political history, its current malaise and its political future requires an understanding of the commission’s work. The commission’s final findings, however, run to over 5 000 pages. Reading all of this material is a daunting and overwhelming task for even the most dedicated citizen.

Zondo at your Fingertips solves this problem. In straightforward and accessible language, author Paul Holden sets out the work of the commission, its findings and recommendations. Holden is well placed to do so: he gave evidence before the Zondo Commission over multiple days, tracing the ways in which the Gupta family captured and looted.

Zondo at your Fingertips summarises concisely each volume of the commission’s final findings, and communicates the commission’s sometimes complex legal discussions clearly and candidly.

But Holden does not just summarise: he also evaluates the commission’s findings, highlighting the good, the bad and the ugly of it’s work. In so doing, he points to stones left unturned, leads that must be followed and warnings to heed.

From South Africa to Zanzibar, from Kenya to Britain, activists are battling to save lion prides, today more threatened by extinction than rhinos and elephants, as a result of illegal wildlife trading. Having thwarted murderous poachers in The Elephant Conspiracy, the Veteran, Thandi and Mkhize are back battling to save lion prides from being killed for their claws, teeth and bones. As the demand for lion parts soars, impoverished local communities are being incentivised to poach, and the fight against this illegal plunder becomes ever more vicious.

Struggling to defeat the international criminal syndicate responsible for poaching, the team find themselves embroiled in mafia-style smuggling, illicit night flights, tense shoot-outs, and an encounter with a protégé of Vladimir Putin.

Niki Daly's spunky little heroine was first introduced in Jamela's Dress in 1999 and has been a firm favourite ever since; delighting young and old alike. Who can forget Gogo and Mama's little chicken from Yebo, Jamela!, destined for the cooking pot but adopted as Jamela's pet?  A girl like many others, Jamela dreams of  pretty dresses and shoes and is worried and scared when Mama announces they are moving house. Jamela is unforgettable!   

’n Groep vriende kom die eerste keer in vyf-en-twintig jaar bymekaar om Adriaan se sewentigste verjaarsdag te vier.

Een vir een maak die gaste hul opwagting by Adriaan en Yvette se strandhuis in die Weskus. Sommige bring hul kinders en die uitbundige gelag van kleinkinders saam. Sedert hulle mekaar laas gesien het, moes party lewensmaats en drome vaarwel groet; ander het nuwe liefde en betekenis gevind. En dan is daar Yvette wat haarself nie sover kan kry om vir almal van háár reis te vertel nie.

Laaste kans is ’n hoogs leesbare roman oor vriendskap wat die tyd deurstaan het. Marita van der Vyver skryf met haar kenmerkende insig en humor oor ontheemde mense, die komplekse verhouding tussen ouer en kind, en die eise wat die tyd aan menswees stel.

Azille Coetzee gaan studeer in Nederland, kry ’n Nederlandse lover en besluit om in Europa aan te bly. Maar iets voel nie reg nie … Daar is tog altyd die vraag: Watter herkoms hou die styfste vas, Afrika of Europa? Dié is ’n uiters leesbare verhaal van identiteit, reis en liefde: intiem, eerlik en slim.

Dat die dokter wat mynbaas Hans-Peter Kranz aangestel het al die tyd ’n vrou is, het die dorpenaars op Kolmanskop vroeg in die twintigste eeu heeltemal oorhoops. Dokter Alexandra Stackelberg kom om die x-straalmasjien by die diamantmyn te bedryf – nie bloot om mediese redes nie, maar ook om diamantdiewe vas te trek. Haar werk raak ’n morele dilemma en twee mans ding mee om haar aandag, terwyl oorlogswolke op die horison saampak...

Soos Kolmanskop se mense deur die sand sif na diamante, so sif een van hulle later jare deur herinneringe, op soek na sekerheid en die waarheid agter een van hulle se dood.

Hemel en aarde en ons is ’n whodunit met ’n konsepsuele kinkel, ’n verkenning van identiteit, bewussyn, verwording en vergetelheid.

Reuben Riffel shares his secrets on how to get to flavour quicker... without the fuss.

I think every chef has a dream of how they’d cook for people in an ideal world… for me my dream scenario is definitely cooking with fire. There's a happiness that goes with cooking on a fire, a freedom and festive feel to it, that is what I love about it.

This book is about flavours first, the simplicity of cooking over fire. It’s not about how to braai, the technical stuff… rather just to share my enjoyment of cooking, and to encourage you to play and experiment with cooking over fire. You don’t have to be an expert braaimaster and slave over hot coals for hours. I like to see a fire as an extension of the kitchen, using the same spices and flavourings that I enjoy cooking with inside, but cooking over a fire for the extra flavour and a touch of smoke.

The recipes in this book are the tried and tested ones that got the thumbs up from friends and family, and range from incredibly simple to more creative. You’ll find different meats and seafoods, loads of vegetables and salads… and a good helping of quick and easy snacks to keep everyone happy kuiering by the fire while you cook the main event.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, Nelson Mandela’s preferred successor, faces new problems and new choices since he won his own electoral mandate in May 2019.

In the next five years, South Africa will be changed radically by the climate crisis, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, economic stagnation and political unrest among some of its southern African neighbours, and the rising African influence of Russia and China while the West is distracted by the insurgent populism of US President Donald Trump and Brexit.

Oorlog verswelg die Boererepubliek. Huise word verwoes, landery word verbrand, en vroue en kinders in konsentrasiekampe aangehou.

Pieter Nel lei ’n kommando bittereinders in ’n desperate opstand teen die Britse ryk. Hulle offer alles op vir ’n vrede wat dalk nooit gaan kom nie, vir ’n huis wat hulle dalk nooit weer gaan sien nie.

Intussen moet Katrina Nel baklei om haarself en hul kinders aan die lewe te hou namate die toestande in die konsentrasiekampe al hoe hagliker word. Hier word haar lewe onlosmaaklik vervleg met dié van die ander vroue, die hanskakies wat die vyand help om die kampe te bestuur, en die Engelse offisier wat haar hart wil wen.

Wag daar lewe of liefde anderkant die oorlog?

Carli Kirstein is 17 en so toegewyd aan wildbewaring dat sy soms van gevaar vergeet. Met twee veeartse as ouers was dit eintlik onvermydelik, maar haar passie maak haar nie juis deel van die gewilde groep nie.

Die drie ouens in haar lewe maak ook dinge moeiliker. Wouter, toekomstige hoofseun en sterkrieketspeler; Stef, die sjarmante ouer buurseun; en Xander, ’n hardwerkende dromer en doring in haar vlees.

Paaie kruis en die gevaar styg wanneer Carli uitvind dat wildstropers die naburige rehabilitasiesentrum vir leeus en ander groot katte teiken. Carli, haar vriende en haar jonger boetie, Julian, besluit om ’n paar aande te help waghou sonder dat hulle ouers weet. Toe dinge skeefloop is almal in gevaar, en dis Carli se skuld. Is daar vir hulle uitkoms?

Maart 1981. Ludo Labuschagne gaan saam met sy ma, haar vriend, oom Dippie, en ’n paar ander na ’n private eilandjie tussen Durban en Madagaskar. Die wegbreek word geborg deur Una Steenkamp, ’n ryk weduwee. Nog voor hulle op die eiland kom, word haar seun Ederik oënskynlik in Durban vermoor. Almal wat hom ken, glo egter Ederik is bloot nog kwaad oor ’n onlangse stryery en dat hy wel daar aangesit sal kom.

Intussen sit Ludo vas op die eiland saam met:
Attie Steenkamp, ’n predikant en Una se swaer
Christoline, die predikant se swaarmoedige vrou
Janneman, hulle seun wat sy been op die grens verloor het
Annetjie, hulle polities bewuste dogter
Toon van der Lugt, ’n selfingenome akteur
Suné Louw, ’n jong meisie wat deur Toon onderhou word
Cor Mocke, ’n ruwe weermagvriend van Ederik
Miguel Pedrito, Una se handyman
Inez, sy vrou en die kok-huishoudster

Dié spul, dertien in totaal, is nie lank op die eiland nie voor iemand sterf. Almal glo egter dit was selfdood – behalwe Ludo. Twee sulke vreemde gebeure kan nie toeval wees nie. Wanneer daar skielik nie meer petrol vir die motorboot is nie én die man wat elke dag van die vasteland af moet kom nie opdaag nie, is dinge vir Ludo duidelik: Hulle is saam met ’n moordenaar op die eiland vasgekeer en daar gaan binnekort nog koppe rol.

The thrilling story of the conservationist who pioneered the use of dogs in combating poachers in South Africa’s game reserves.

One of Conraad’s first brushes with the reality of life at the frontline of conservation was when he shot the leader of a poaching gang in Windy Ridge game reserve in his teens. Much of Con’s work involving dogs is a continuous struggle against industrial-scale bushmeat poachers, an even greater threat to wildlife than rhino horn poachers as the overburdened courts seem interested only in endangered species. He also works to catch poachers of critically endangered pangolins, the most trafficked animal in the world. Con decided to use his almost telepathic rapport with dogs to tackle the poaching crisis sweeping South Africa.

His first anti-poaching dog, a Weimaraner named Zingela, became an inseparable companion. Zingela saved Conraad’s life on numerous occasions – once when Conraad was about to be assassinated by two fellow rangers hired by poachers.

Con’s story is an epic of modern-day African wildlife conservation, spiced with adventure, courage and romance.

The Kitchen is a focal point for creativity where people from all walks of life come to feed their appetites as well as their ingenuity. Every day sees an array of mouth-watering dishes prepared by a team of remarkable and dedicated chefs whose personalised approach and pride in their artistry ensures that every visit or event catered for will be a memorable one. Here is the opportunity to bring Karen's Kitchen to yours!

This gorgeous book gives everyone a glimpse into one week of The Kitchen, where menus change daily and South African twists on Mediterranean and Oriental tastes promise clean, natural flavours undisguised by rich sauces.

Step on in to Karen's Kitchen, and find out what it is that has publications such as The New York Times and personalities like Michelle Obama relishing their experience.

The original Zackie Mostert series has thousands of young fans - and now there's also a reading series, perfect for beginner readers. Each book in the series features bright full colour illustrations and simple, easy-to-read text that will make these fun-filled stories accessible to young readers.

Zackie and his class are off to visit the zoo! But Anton the bully is also going on the trip. Will he ruin everyone's day?

Make your Brain POP is a practical, easy-to-read guide for parents focused on developing a growth mindset in children through mindful communication and purposeful parenting.

This book draws from personal experience and research-backed concepts, particularly Carol Dweck’s work on mindset psychology, to help set our children up for mental success.

This is a story about a woman; a story about her struggle. As the survivor of great tragedy; this is a story about triumph.

Despite only being 33 years old, Zoleka Mandela has endured enough to fill several lifetimes. While she may be a member of South Africa's own royal family, Zoleka has not led a sheltered life. She has travelled down paths which most would not dare; from the horror of losing two children within two years, to the shadowy journey through cocaine addiction and rehab, and being diagnosed with cancer. Though she was robbed of her children, stripped of her sobriety, and subject to a disease that necessitated a double mastectomy, Zoleka Mandela is not a victim. She is a survivor, and her story serves as testimony to the strength of the human spirit in fighting against life's challenges. Zoleka is a living example of success in spite of overwhelming challenges.

Zoleka is now clean and cancer-free. Zoleka Mandela had her last session of chemotherapy in April this year, and has been sober for 36 months. Through her story, it is impossible not to have faith in the good things in life, and possible to believe that anything is achievable. Zoleka's book is an ideal read for those exposed to life's challenges and traumas - from a mother who has had to deal with the loss of a child, or families who have had to endure the pains of cancer, or those who have dealt with the stress of addiction - it is a universal read exhibiting the power of healing.

In 1994, Nelson Mandela powered the ANC to victory in South Africa’s first democratic election. Thirty years later, the ANC is fighting to escape political liquidation.

How did we get here and who will rule South Africa next?

In this gripping and fast-paced account of the state of the nation, 30 years after South Africa became a democracy, award-winning journalists Adriaan Basson and Qaanitah Hunter forensically track the demise of the ANC, from Mandela to Ramaphosa, and the rise of a new political class that will determine the next phase of South Africa’s democracy.

Drawing on years of reporting from the front line, Basson and Hunter highlight how corruption and greed subsumed a liberation movement by turning a party of freedom fighters into one of villains. They track the ANC’s involvement in corruption and underhand dealings, from the arms deal to state capture to the dollars-in-the-sofa Phala Phala scandal.

A close examination of Cyril Ramaphosa’s first term in office shows how his bold promises to turn around the ANC’s fortunes amounted to little. The book reveals previously unpublished material detailing Ramaphosa’s failures of governance and inability to address the party’s decline.

Basson and Hunter map out the likely scenarios for a coalition government after the 2024 election and what it will mean for the country if politicians such as John Steenhuisen, Julius Malema or Herman Mashaba gain access to the Union Buildings.

​Who Will Rule South Africa? is a must-read for everyone who cares about the country’s future.

'n Student se dood in die berg by Stellenbosch lyk verdag. 'n Oud-recce vermoor as 'n boodskap. Aan iemand: Hou julle bekke. 'n Korrupte politikus se lyk in die sandkuil van Arabella se sestiende putjie. Met 'n onontsyferbare kode daarby. 'n Mooi veldgids, gewerf as 'n heuningwip vir die grootste dollar-rooftog in die land se geskiedenis. En staatskapers wat elkeen van die ondersoeke saboteer.

Jy't 'n koel kop nodig om dit alles te ontrafel, om die enorme druk te kan hanteer. Jy moet kalm en gefokus en nugter wees. Maar Bennie Griessel se kop is nie koel nie. Hy's bedruk. Bekommerd. Bevrees. Want op 12 Junie moet hy trou, 'n datum wat op hom afkom soos 'n sneltrein. En hy's glad nie reg vir dié ding nie. Dis 'n resep vir 'n ramp.

Griessel en Cupido is terug. Hier kom moeilikheid, GROOT moeilikheid.

Die beste manier om jouself uit te daag en pret te hê is deur hierdie boek te koop; jou brein is gewaarborg om bollemakiesie te slaan!

In hierdie prettige aktiwiteitsboek is daar blokraaispeletjies, syferspeletjies en ander raaisels wat perfek is vir ouer kinders in die laerskool!

Mila se nuwe maat moet skool toe gaan. Maar sal sy weet hoe om haar soos ’n regte dogtertjie te gedra?

Juffrou Kadawer jaag Annabel sommer dadelik uit die klas oor haar vreemde kat-maniere. Maar waar kom hierdie nuwe juffrou vandaan, en hoekom is sy op Rottes se spoor?

Die toorpolisie keer die maats vas, en dan laat val Jannus ’n vuurhoutjie op die verkeerde plek ...

Die bure het ’n nuwe dogter. Waar kom sy vandaan, en hoekom lyk sy so baie na Annabel, die kat wat weggeraak het? Boonop is hierdie buurmeisie se naam óók Annabel ...

Mila besluit om ondersoek in te stel. Maar haar boetie Jannus spring haar voor en steel Annabel se mens-word-middel. Hy voer dit vir sy aaklige troeteldier, Rottes, net om te kyk wat gebeur.

Katastrofe!

Afrikaanse kinders word al geslagte lank vermaak deur die skelmstreke van Jakkals en Wolf. Jakkals probeer Wolf om elke hoek en draai ’n streep trek, tog is hulle beste maats.

Beleef die opwindende avonture van hierdie twee geliefde skarminkels opnuut en lag saam oor dié twee se skreeusnaakse avonture.

Hierdie bundel sluit ses pragtig geillustreerde stories in:

• Jakkals en Wolf steel botter
• Jakkals en Wolf pas Tier se kinders op
• Jakkals en Wolf vang vis
• Jakkals en Wolf kerjakker in Boer se kraal
• Jakkals en Wolf en die rondekop dier
• Wolf kry lus om skaapsklere te dra

"So here I am, at a psychiatric hospital, looking for myself in a building I’ve never been in before. A few nights ago, I was ready to rid myself of myself. I still am, only, in a different way. This time, I want to do away with what I hope will soon be my former self. I don’t know what is wrong with me, I never have. All I know is that my head is clouded with loud voices screaming in different frequencies; none of them making sense. With only a stony face to hide it all behind, and a pained smile to offer my friends and colleagues."

Patient 12A is Lesedi Molefi’s absorbing memoir, reflecting on his time spent in a psychiatric clinic in 2016. With vulnerability and candour, Lesedi reflects on the moments, large and small, that led him here. It is at once a personal history, an observation of how childhood experiences can have a profound effect on the adults we become, and a commentary on how mental illness remains a difficult conversation in black families.

But more than anything, Patient 12A is Lesedi’s attempt to filter out the noise in his head to find the truth, however uncomfortable that may be.

In April 2017, Pravin Gordan addressed a packed audience in St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. It was a week after President Jacob Zuma had fired him as Finance Minister, a move that signalled South Africa had been well and truly captured. Gordhan urged the crowd not to give up hope and to ‘join the dots’ in understanding what was taking place. At this moment he became a moral authority to many, someone who could fight the corruption.

Seasoned journalists Jonathan Ancer and Chris Whitfield take a magnifying glass to someone at the centre of South Africa’s most tumultuous period and try to understand the man behind the public image. They go back to Durban in 1949 when Gordhan was born, tracing the significant events and influences that shaped his life and prompted him to become involved in politics as a pharmacy student at the University of Durban-Westville. Ancer and Whitfield have interviewed close former activists to build a picture of his time in the underground and the role he played in the struggle including his detention and torture. It was during this time he worked closely with Zuma, the man who would, on the back of a bogus intelligence report, fire him as finance minister.

The book will examine why Gordhan has been dragged into major controversies like the rogue unit saga, the intelligence report and other smears against him. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s right-hand man has made many enemies: public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, Julius Malema and Ace Magashule to name a few.

Joining the Dots is an in-depth and satisfying read about a man who has been at the centre of South African public life.