PROMISE AND DESPAIR, the first struggle for a non-racial South Africa

254pp., illus., paperback, Johannesburg, 2016

Martin Plaut's account of the 1909 South African Native and Coloured People's Delegation, made up of South Africans of all races and led by W.P Schreiner, that travelled to London to lobby the British government for a non-racial constitution for the Union of South Africa. The members of the delegation were Matt Fredericks, Dr A. Abdurahman, Walter Rubusana, Tengo Jabavu, Thomas Mapikela, Joseph Gerrans, Damiel Swanya and D.J. Lenders.

"This is a very well-written, lively and interesting account, with vivid descriptions and fascinating information...It is a great story" Professor Christopher Saunders, Emeritus Professor, University of Cape Town

Martin Plaut is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies in London. He is also the co-author (with Paul Holden) of "Who Rules South Africa?"