Twenty Years in South Africa

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This book narrates the story of a young family that, in the year 1975, made the bold decision to leave the United Kingdom and seek a new life in South Africa. Although intending to stay for just a few years, they only returned some twenty years later. Whilst there, they took the opportunity to visit virtually every town and game park, and five of the neighboring countries. However, this was not just an extended holiday, but an opportunity to study different cultures and customs. Their time there spanned the darkest days of apartheid, through the first signs of change sparked by the Soweto Riots, to the release of Nelson Mandela, the first democratic elections, and beyond. Thus, in addition to this book being partly a travelogue and memoire, it is also an eye-witness commentary on the highs and lows, the good, the bad, the dangers, and the changes that occurred during an eventful time, in that unique country. It should thus appeal not only the general reader who enjoys a yarn about far-away places, but also to those interested in social and cultural history. "In Twenty Years in South Africa, Michael Lowis takes the reader on a fascinating journey through his family's unexpectedly extended sojourn in South Africa. Through a collection of memories, reflections, and other accounts, Lowis provides the reader with a wide-ranging insider's view into this complex culture. An engaging and illuminating book, it is a must-read for anyone interested in South African culture and an invaluable resource for those planning to travel there." --Teresa A. Fisher, Bronx Community College (CUNY) "Lowis captivates the reader with a charming story of his twenty-year stay in South Africa. His humorous reflections on the history, customs, environments, and peoples of South Africa will be a good read for the general public as well as for the student of the cultural history of South Africa. This memoir has a freshness that will endear the author to his readers." --Johan Nieuwoudt, University of South Africa "An immensely readable memoir takes us from Yorkshire to South Africa in pursuit of 'the good life.' From six cardboard boxes of possessions to twenty years in South Africa, this is sure to inspire others to make a sea change." --Ross W. Prior, University of Wolverhampton, UK "Lowis is a born storyteller, and Twenty Years in South Africa combines an engaging account of his time in that fascinating country with a liberal perspective on its ongoing transformation. Whether dealing with music, food, landscape, experience of work, or the country's complex politics, he proves to be an independent-minded guide." --Christopher Ringrose, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia Dr. Michael J. Lowis is a psychologist and theologian, with many academic papers to his credit. Now retired, he is retained in an honorary position with the University of Highlands and Islands, Scotland. For this, his fourth book, he has taken a break from scholastic writing, in order to chronicle an account of the joys and challenges experienced by his family when they decided to emigrate from the UK to South Africa.