Bullshit: 50 Fibs That Made South Africa by Jonathan Ancer

Loading player...
Thanks for listening to this episode of Pagecast, brought to you by Jonathan Ball Publishers. 

Today’s podcast features the Jonathan Ancer and his latest book Bullshit: 50 Fibs That Made South Africa.

An outrageous miscellany of lies, myths, untruths, fibs and fabrications that tell the woeful history of South Africa. Aimed at offending and entertaining everyone in equal measure, this will have South Africans sniggering and spluttering into their porridge. It will also pique their curiosity.

The lies come thick and fast, like a burst sewerage pipe. Way, way back the Europeans ‘discovered’ southern Africa and found a land that was largely uninhabited. Um, no. On the other hand, Africa was a paradise before the settlers pulled in. Not quite!

Back in the darkest of ages (the 1970s!), citizens were told that there were Satanic messages if you played The Beatles songs backwards. During the civil war in Angola, there were no South African troops in that country. National icon Hansie Cronje was a paragon of virtue and integrity … until he wasn’t. President Nelson Mandela told us that we, as a nation, were ‘special’. Turns out we aren’t.

Jonathan Ancer has written, after consulting with historians and barflies, a fascinating and witty collection of the lies we’ve been told – and the lies we tell ourselves.

In this episode, Jonathan is in conversation with Rebecca Davis, Senior Journalist at the Daily Maverick and author.

Enjoy!
22 Apr 2024 English South Africa Books · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance by Bronwen Everill

Join Mphuthumi Ntabeni in conversation with historian and author Bronwen Everill, as they discuss her book Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance. This conversation offers essential insights into how we can rethink the African continent’s economic past, present, and future. More about the book: We need to think differently about…
16 Jun 35 min

Pagecast conversations at the KBF 2025: "The Authors Rewriting Childhood in South Africa"

In this special episode of Pagecast, we bring you an inspiring conversation recorded live at the 2025 Kingsmead Book Fair. Hloniphile Mzangwa is in conversation with four South African children’s authors who are transforming childhood through stories that celebrate empathy, inclusion, cultural pride, and representation. Meet the incredible voices behind…
30 May 28 min

Pagecast conversations at the KBF 2025: "Thoughts on Love"

Welcome to a fascinating episode of Pagecast at the Kingsmead Book Fair hosted by Kelly Ansara. What was meant to be a thoughtful discussion on writing the moment quickly turned into a passionate conversation about one of life’s biggest questions: is love fate or choice? Join Kelly as she chats…
1 Jun 26 min