risk n 1 the possibility of bringing about misfortune or loss ... to act in spite of the possibility of injury or loss (Collins English Dictionary)

Living with risk is part of living in South Africa now. Violent crime and AIDS pose bodily threats. Dizzying shifts in race and class rock one’s sense of identity. Ethically, one is daily challenged by rampant need in the face of plenty. In fact, society as a whole feels as if it is a giant experiment that could very well go wrong. But it could also succeed.

In each of these twelve non-fiction narratives, something, or someone, is at risk. Written in registers of the unexpected – surprise, shock, bewilderment as well as uncertainty, skepticism and doubt – the pieces form a second wave of South African writing. They cut loose from the grand narratives of apartheid and the themes of confession and redemption born of the fledgling democracy. These personal, intimate accounts blow the lid off our South African age.

Jonny Steinberg *Graeme Reid * Liz McGregor * Sarah Nuttall * Justice Malala * Deborah Posel * Jonathan Hyslop * Achille Mbembe * Makhosazana Xaba * Njabulo S. Ndebele * Lara Allen * Fred Khumalo * Tom Odhiambo


Each of the contributors is closely associated with WISER (Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research). Based in Johannesburg, WISER produces cutting-edge work on contemporary South Africa. It is an interactive space that produces academic work but also hosts journalists, writers and public intellectuals.

LIZ McGREGOR is each closely associated with WISER (Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research). Based in Johannesburg, WISER produces cutting-edge work on contemporary South Africa. It is an interactive space that produces academic work but also hosts journalists, writers and public intellectuals.

SARAH NUTTALL is also associated with WISER (Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research).