This autobiography looks at Bantu Holomisa and his journey into politics. As a son of a chief nothing less was expected of him than to go to school and get a university education. However he thought taking a gap year and starting a job in the post office would be great experience and make some money before going to university.

The book takes us through some life defining moments which lead to him joining the Defense Force, climbing up the ranks to being a respected Commander of the TDF. Alongside that we learn about the man who is generous and is known for helping his family, finding the love of his life and the family politics of being born to a royal family. Holomisa was a man who led with integrity and that is what carries him to being the Transkei leader. He has always had his own ways and not particularly leaning towards a political party or politics and that is what also leads to him being expelled from the ANC.

His expulsion stems from him wanting to always speak the truth and not letting others influence him otherwise. Due to numerous structures wanting him to still speak on their behalf he goes on to form the United Democratic Movement (UDM), which successfully gets elected into parliament a mere three years after his expulsion. He continues to be a thorn on the ANC’s side as an opposition in parliament.

This biography, written in collaboration with Holomisa, presents an engaging and revealing account of a man who has made his mark as a game changer in South African politics.

About the author

Eric Naki was born in Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape to a domestic worker mother, Nontanase Naki, and a mining migrant father, Wilton Woko, on 4 April 1963. He grew up on farms in East London, matriculated at Mzomhle High in Mdantsane and studied Communication Science through UNISA. Naki is a journalist by profession, with more than 30 years’ experience in both broadcast and print media. Presently he works as a senior political reporter for The Citizen newspaper in Johannesburg. This is his first book.

Bantu Holomisa: The Game Changer is published by Pan Macmillan South Africa