Marianne Thamm

Mark Minnie

Christoffel Bernadus Steyn

It is the late 1980s. Allegations surface against three prominent National Party cabinet ministers: they are, it is said, abusing young boys on an island off the coast of Port Elizabeth. Mark Minnie, a cop, and Chris Steyn, a journalist, uncover evidence of this dark secret, but the case gets buried. Thirty years later, the two finally expose this shocking story of cover-ups and official complicity in the rape and possible murder of children.

A Shocking Exposé from Within the Heart of the NP Government

The Lost Boys of Bird Island

Alison

In this inspiring tale, Alison, the victim of a brutal rape and attempted murder, shares the courage and philosophy that allowed her to turn her tragic experiences into something life-affirming and strong. With bravery and a keen sense of self-awareness, Alison recounts how she was car-jacked at knifepoint, raped, stabbed so many times that the doctors could not count her wounds, and left for dead miles away from her home. As she denied death that night she later denied her assailants the satisfaction of destroying her life by giving voice to her experiences and refusing to be victimized. In terrifying detail Alison describes her thoughts and feelings throughout the attack and shows how attitude, belief, and choice helped her to survive. Contributions from Alison’s family, friends, and the man who saved her from the side of the road add depth to Alison’s harrowing story.

Raped, Stabbed and Left for Dead : Alison's Inspiring Story of Survival

I Have Life

A Hostage Story

Shooting the Moon

'Als een spookverschijning, opgedoken uit het donker, stak een magere jongeman zijn hoofd door het autoraampje. Ik zag het mes onmiddelijk. Het was een lang, smal wapen met een puntig toelopend lemmet. Het voelde koud en scherp aan toen hij het tegen mijn hals drukte. 'Schuif op, of ik vermoord je', fluisterde hij.' Zo begint Alisons nachtmerrie. Ze wordt door twee mannen verkracht en zo vaak gestoken met een mes dat de artsen later de wonden niet meer kunnen tellen. Haar keel wordt doorgesneden en Alison wordt voor dood achtergelaten op een smerige open plek, kilometers verwijderd van de stad Port Elisabeth in Zuid-Afrika, waar ze woont. Maar Alison weigert te sterven. Ze wil haar aanvallers niet de voldoening geven haar leven te vernietigen. 'Ik zal leven' is het inspirerende en moedige verhaal van een vrouw die geen slachtoffer wil zijn. Door haar vastberaden dapperheid is zij erin geslaagd haar levensbedreigende lichamelijke en geestelijke trauma te overwinnen en kracht te putten uit haar verschrikkelijke ervaringen. Alison reisde de hele wereld over om troost en steun te bieden aan lotgenoten. Haar boek stond maandenlang nummer 1 op de bestsellerlijsten in Zuid-Afrika en bereikte internationaal een miljoenenpubliek.

Ik zal leven

"Marianne Thamm delves into her own unconventional life story. Her German father fought for Hitler and made munitions for Verwoerd. He married her largely illiterate Portuguese mother who worked as a cleaner in England. Today Marianne is the proud mother of two (black) teenagers ... Hers is the story of the last century, of the defeat of bigotry and a new era ushered in by Mandela. Sad at times, deeply moving and, like Marianne, hugely entertaining"--Publisher's webpage

A Memoir of Sorts

Hitler, Verwoerd, Mandela and Me

Nigel Fairhead

Overcoming adversity, learning to accept, and finding beauty in the world around are some of the elements that make this story a different experience. The author lost his wife and daughter when they were abducted, raped and murdered by three men while fishing in Natures Valley on the Eastern Cape coast.

When All Else Falls Away

This title provides a candid look at the cast of characters who make up the South African population and investigates some of the more practical aspects of South African life. It will appeal to tourists who will be able to form an instant picture of the South African scene. Locals will recognise themselves, their friends, their families, and their prejudices.

An Irreverent Cultural Guide for Tourists and Confused Locals

The How-to-be a South African Handbook

The triumphant story of a woman who refused to become a victim. Like an apparition, conjured out of the darkness, a young man with light blond hair pushed his face into the car. I immediately spotted the knife. It was a long, thin weapon, almost like a letter opener, with a tapering blade. It felt cold and spiny as he pressed it to my neck. When he spoke his voice, which was quiet and controlled, sounded as though it emanated from a distant planet. But every word thudded into my skull. “Move over or I’ll kill you,” he whispered. And so began Alison’s nightmare journey with the two callous killers who were to rape her, stab her so many times doctors could not count the wounds, slit her throat and leave her for dead in a filthy clearing miles from the city of Port Elizabeth which was her home. But Alison defied death. And more than that, she denied her attackers the satisfaction of destroying her life. I Have Life is the triumphant story of a woman who refused to become a victim. The courage which allowed her to move beyond severe physical and emotional trauma and to turn a devastating experience into something life-affirming and strong, is an inspiration to people everywhere.

I Have Life: Alison's Journey as told to Marianne Thamm

And so began Alison's nightmare journey with the two callous killers who were to rape her, stab her so many times doctors could not count the wounds, slit her throat and leave her for dead in a filthy clearing miles from the city of Port Elizabeth which was her home. But Alison defied death. And more than that, she denied her attackers the satisfaction of destroying her life. I Have Life is the triumphant story of a woman who refused to become a victim. The courage which allowed her to move beyond severe physical and emotional trauma and to turn a devastating experience into something life-affirming and strong, is an inspiration to people everywhere.

Autobiografie van de Zuid-Afrikaanse journaliste.

Marianne Thamm

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