About the book

Who or what is a public intellectual and how are they created? What is the role of the public intellectual in social, cultural, political and academic contexts? What are the kinds of questions they raise? What compels intellectuals to put forward their ideas?

The Fabric of Dissent: Public Intellectuals in South Africa is a pioneering volume, representing a rich tapestry of South Africans who were able to rise beyond narrow formulations of identity into a larger sense of what it means to be human. Each brief portrait provides readers with an opportunity to consider the context, influences and unique tensions that shaped the people assembled here. In its entirety, the book showcases an astonishing array of achievements and bears testimony to the deep imprint of these public intellectuals. As South Africans continue to grapple with their past, present and future, it is clear that the insights of these remarkable people into reimagining an inclusive society continue to be relevant today.

About the authors

Narnia Bohler-Muller is the Executive Director of the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State research programme at the Human

Sciences Research Council. She is also adjunct Professor of the Nelson R Mandela School of Law at the University of Fort Hare and a Research Fellow with the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of Free State.

Gregory Houston is a Chief Research Specialist in the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State research programme at the Human Sciences Research Council and a Research Fellow in the History Department at the University of Free State.

Vasu Reddy is Professor of Sociology, and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria.

Maxi Schoeman is Emeritus Professor of Political Sciences, a former HOD Political Sciences (2000 – 2016) and Deputy Dean, Postgraduate Studies and Ethics (2016 – 2019) in the Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria.

Heather Thuynsma is a lecturer in Political Sciences and Communications Manager in the Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria.

Endorsements

‘The Fabric of Dissent is the first major collection that brings together

in one place some of the most consequential thinkers in South Africa’s

social history. Meticulously researched and beautifully narrated, there are

hidden gems here…’ ~Jonathan Jansen,

Distinguished Professor of Education, Stellenbosch University

 ‘This is a valuable text on how ideas change society, and an indispensable historical record about the richness of South Africa’s intellectual inheritance.’ ~Mcebisi Ndletyana, Associate Professor of Political Studies, University of Johannesburg

Contents

Introduction: Intellectual Liberation: Public Intellectuals in South Africa Vasudhevan Reddy, Maxi Schoeman, Heather Thuynsma, Narnia Bohler-Muller and Gregory Houston

Section A: Political Public Intellectuals

Introduction Vasudhevan Reddy, Maxi Schoeman, Heather Thuynsma, Narnia Bohler-Muller and Gregory Houston

Charlotte Maxeke Narnia Bohler-Muller

Pixley ka Isaka Seme Gregory Houston

Albert Luthuli Ngqapheli Mchunu

Dora Tamana Gregory Houston

Bram Fischer Joleen Steyn-Kotze

Govan Mbeki Gregory Houston

Walter Sisulu Gregory Houston

OR Tambo Gregory Houston

Ruth First Gavaza Maluleke

Nelson Mandela Narnia Bohler-Muller

Joe Slovo Gregory Houston

George Bizos Gary Pienaar

Ben Turok Narnia Bohler-Muller

Phyllis Naidoo Gregory Houston

Ahmed Kathrada Gregory Houston

Arthur Chaskalson Narnia Bohler-Muller

Albie Sachs Narnia Bohler-Muller

AP Mda Gregory Houston

Robert Sobukwe Gregory Houston

Cissie Gool Gregory Houston

Monty Naicker Gregory Houston

Bishop Trevor Huddleston Gary Pienaar

Beyers Naudé Gregory Houston

Helen Suzman Gary Pienaar

Section B: Cultural Public Intellectuals

Introduction Vasu Reddy, Narnia Bohler-Muller, Gregory Houston, Maxi Schoeman and Heather Thuynsma

Olive Schreiner Michael Cosser

Alan Paton Gary Pienaar

Eskia Mphahlele Gavaza Maluleke

Nadine Gordimer Joleen Steyn-Kotze

André Brink Hester du Plessis

Eugene Marais Hester du Plessis

NP Van Wyk Louw Marie Wentzel

James Matthews Gregory Houston

Mazisi Kunene Gregory Houston

Ingrid Jonker Hester du Plessis

Professor Willie Kgositsile Gregory Houston

Athol Fugard Michael Cosser

Bonisile John Kani Gerard Hagg

Breyten Breytenbach Hester du Plessis

Miriam Makeba Samela Mtyingizane

Hugh Masekela Namhla Ngqwala

Lady Skollie Chris Broodryk

Pieter-Dirk Uys Marié-Heleen Coetzee

Deep fried man Marié-Heleen Coetzee

Loyiso Gola Chris Broodryk

Trevor Noah Samela Mtyingizane

Section C: Academic Public Intellectuals

Introduction Vasu Reddy, Narnia Bohler-Muller, Gregory Houston, Maxi Schoeman and Heather Thuynsma

Bernard Magubane Gregory Houston

Archie Mafeje Gregory Houston

David Webster Gregory Houston

Raymond Suttner Gregory Houston

Johan Degenaar Gerard Hagg

Phillip Tobias Francois Gilles de Pelichey

Fatima Meer Gregory Houston

Rick Turner Gregory Houston

Eddie Webster Gregory Houston

Harold Wolpe Gregory Houston

Jakes Gerwel Gregory Houston

Njabulo Ndebele Thabani Mdlongwa

Olive Shisana Narnia Bohler-Muller

Malegupugu Makgoba Francois Gilles de Pelichey

Naledi Pandor Thobekile Zikhali

Section D: Organic Public Intellectuals

Introduction Vasu Reddy, Narnia Bohler-Muller, Gregory Houston, Maxi Schoeman and Heather Thuynsma

Sol T Plaatje Gavaza Maluleke

Benjamin Pogrund Gregory Houston

Nat Nakasa Gavaza Maluleke

Percy Qoboza Austin Pinkerton

Zapiro Joleen Steyn-Kotze

Johan Heyns Gerard Hagg

Richard Goldstone Michael Cosser

Yvonne Mokgoro Narnia Bohler-Muller

Sandile Ngcobo Michael Cosser

Neville Alexander Gregory Houston

Pallo Jordan Gregory Houston

Jeremy Cronin Gregory Houston

Jabulani “Mzala” Nxumalo Gregory Houston

Joel Netshitenzhe Ngqapheli Mchunu

Elinor Sisulu Thobekile Zikhali

Zackie Achmat Gregory Houston

Kumi Naidoo Gregory Houston

Endnotes

Bibliography

Contributors

Index