The term “farm killings” has become divisive to many South Africans to an extent whereby there are those who strongly believe that it is used by others to achieve their own cheap political points.
And it comes as no surprise that Nechama Brodie’s latest book has seen her being attacked by those who have been using the term for their own political ends.
In Farm Killings in South Africa, well-respected violence researcher, Dr Brodie separates the truth from the myths on the issue of the farm murders that have been happening in South Africa for years by providing the facts around the issue.
She excellently presents verified data from different sources to prove that there has been a lot of disinformation and politicking on the issue than what are the true facts.
Now, I need to give credit to scribe for her great work in giving not only South Africans but the entire world an honest picture of the nature of farm murders in this country. Many South Africans, especially white Afrikaners have been and continue to be fed half truths on the issue by those who want to achieve their own end. This is a book that will finally give them and many others the necessary understanding of the issue and relieve them from the fear that has been instilled in their hearts by those who thrive on fear to be relevant.
Perusing through the pages of this book, I appreciated how the author dispelled the myth around white genocide and many sponsored narratives that aims to present a false picture that white South African farmers and white people in general are under attack in the democratic dispensation.
Farm Killings in South Africa provides the true light on the violence and killings in the farms that affect everyone across all race groups and not just directed to one race group.
I think the author’s empathy to those who lost their lives in the farms throughout that should make us all understand and appreciate the situation in the farms and act together to end the violence in the farms.
This is obviously not a book that will be appreciated by right wing groups such as Afriforum and some political parties that thrive on dividing the nation, because it debunks all that they have been falsely pushing for years on the issue of farm killings. However, I would encourage them to first read the book and maybe, and just maybe, they can see how their continued narrative is not only affecting social cohesion in this country but does a disservice to the people they claim to represent their interests.
This is an insightful book that should be read by all South Africans of all race groups, because it distinguishes the truth from the myth on the farm killings in South Africa. I strongly believe the book will make us act as one to end the violence and murders in the farms rather allowing the situation to divide us.
Farm Killings in South Africa is a well-researched book from one of the leading minds on violence research in South Africa. A must-read.