Best of South Africa

WORDS: Michelle Coburn

From Marlene Dumas and Evita Bezuidenhout to soccer fever and comfort food – these books show the best of South Africa.

Marlene Dumas By Dominic van den Boogerd, Barbara Bloom, Mariuccia Casadio and Ilaria Bona¬cossa (Phaidon, R695)

Marlene Dumas’ input can be felt through¬out the pages of this exquisite coffee-table book. It documents the artist’s career in several ways, not only by re¬producing her works, but also by including a career survey by Dutch critic Dominic van den Boogerd, an in-depth interview by artist Barbara Bloom, and by incorporating Dumas’ own writings on themes such as love and politics.

Despite its size and weight, once you pick it up you’re unlikely to be able put it down again.

Soccer Chic – Soccer the South African Way By Mark Gleeson and Craig Fraser (Quivertree Publications, R475)

This one’s not only for the fans. Whether or not the FIFA World Cup influenced your life, you have to at least take a look at this vibrant book that pays tribute to The Beautiful Game in a totally different way.

Combining Craig Fraser’s photos with commentary by journalist Mark Gleeson and interspersed with quotes by a cross-section of fans, Soccer Chic offers a fascinating insight into the culture of football in South Africa.

Futuretainment – Yesterday the World Changed, Now it’s Your Turn By Mike Walsh (Phaidon, R345)

“When consumer behaviour changes, business must follow.” In Futuretainment, digital media expert Mike Walsh analyses the changes the media landscape has undergone since the launch of the Netscape web browser in 1994.

Walsh offers 23 key insights, including the idea that Audience Networks rather than broadcast networks are now the sharers of content.

Vince Frost’s art direction combines gritty photos with graphs and typography in a web-inspired design that will make Futuretainment a memento of the medium whose demise it predicts.

Evita’s Kossie Sikelela By Evita Bezuidenhout (Umuzi, R150)

The golden girl of South African satire, Tannie Evita, gets creative in the kitchen based on her belief that the road to reconciliation runs through our bellies.

In this recipe book she presents some of her favourite meals, many with names as colourful as the guests who have inspired them.

How about Koornhof’s Cape Coloured Surprise or Winnie’s Stompie Ragout taken from the Bad Taste section?

It may not appeal to more serious foodies but admirers of the most famous white woman in South Africa will savour her wit served up with a collection of trusty South African dishes.

Comfort By Tina Bester, Vicki Sleet and Craig Fraser (Quivertree Publications, R150)

The title says it all: this book is all about heart-warming, easy meals perfect for winter.

Tina Bester from legendary Cape coffee shop Queen of Tarts combines some of her own creations with meals from her childhood, including her “favourite dish in the whole world”, Mom’s lamb chops with cornflake crumbs.

Craig Fraser’s beautiful photos will at the very least make you want to eat each dish right off the page but, with this book by your side, the meals you prepare are guaranteed to become family classics.