Total Onslaught - Apartheid's Dirty Tricks Exposed (Paperback)


For much of its time in power, the National Party government was bolstered by the direct involvement of its security forces. Ordinary citizens had no idea that their taxes were being used to fund unorthodox and even illegal operations, ranging from international propaganda campaigns to local death squads. It was the government's Total Strategy against the enemy's Total Onslaught. Despite the efforts of a handful of intrepid journalists who began the process of uncovering the truth about apartheid, South Africa's recent history remains fraught with secrets. Now, for the first time, investigative reporter De Wet Potgieter can reveal the truth behind some of the most enigmatic events in South Africa's past, from what happened during PW Botha's final cabinet meeting to the assassination of Olof Palme. These, and many other news stories of the time, are brought to light in this fascinating, informative read.

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Product Description

For much of its time in power, the National Party government was bolstered by the direct involvement of its security forces. Ordinary citizens had no idea that their taxes were being used to fund unorthodox and even illegal operations, ranging from international propaganda campaigns to local death squads. It was the government's Total Strategy against the enemy's Total Onslaught. Despite the efforts of a handful of intrepid journalists who began the process of uncovering the truth about apartheid, South Africa's recent history remains fraught with secrets. Now, for the first time, investigative reporter De Wet Potgieter can reveal the truth behind some of the most enigmatic events in South Africa's past, from what happened during PW Botha's final cabinet meeting to the assassination of Olof Palme. These, and many other news stories of the time, are brought to light in this fascinating, informative read.

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Reviews

I am a fan of De Wet Potgieter’s immaculately researched journalism and straight-telling style of writing and this is why I picked up ‘Total Onslaught’. But it was the story that he told that had me gasping… You see, as South Africans, we know that apartheid was designed and perpetuated throughout our country for nearly 50 years. We also know that terrible things happened in the name of apartheid, that vicious atrocities were committed. And we might even know some of the lesser-known facts or even heard some of the secrets that have slithered out like a seldom seen yet devastatingly poisonous snake. But Potgieter’s is the first book to tackle the whole plan, the apartheid government’s overall strategy against the Total Onslaught of the ANC and its allies. From the assassination of the Swedish Prime Minister in 1986 to South Africa’s own Christine Keele, Lidia van Heerden, and from the employment of mega-thug, Ferdi Barnard, to the dismissal of 23 generals by FW De Klerk, ‘Total Onslaught’ leaves nothing out of this intricate telling of the story of the apartheid government becoming increasingly violent as its desperation mounts. And while all the Eugene de Kocks, Craig Williams’s and Niel Barnards appear, it was rewarding to learn HOW they fitted into the bigger picture and it is this that makes ‘Total Onslaught’ so much more than the usual ‘shock’ memoir of what has become tediously known as the ‘struggle’. Potgieter’s usual attention to detail combines perfectly with his ability to provide a meaningful overview of the key issues, while his direct prose keeps the reader enthralled. And delivered at the pace of a best-selling thriller, “Total Onslaught” makes for a book to be read. Soon.

Product Details

General

Imprint

Zebra Press

Country of origin

South Africa

Release date

July 2007

Availability

Supplier out of stock. If you add this item to your wish list we will let you know when it becomes available.

First published

March 2008

Authors

Dimensions

230 x 151 x 20mm (L x W x T)

Format

Paperback

Pages

314

ISBN-13

978-1-77007-328-9

Barcode

9781770073289

Categories

LSN

1-77007-328-0



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