Book information
ISBN: 978-1-7764567-2-7
Trim size: 230 x 150 mm
Binding: Paperback
Page count: 183 pages
Cost: R300.00
Genre: Political History, Brazil/Africa Studies
Year of publication: 2025
Description
In The Africa in Brazil, Mavimbela explores and deals with, relations between Africa and Brazil. He intelligently connects global history with dialogues of the present time. With his skill of expression, poetic treatment of words, and mathematical power of synthesis, he navigates the waters of the Atlantic to remind us of the encounters and ruptures that continue to define indelible relations between Brazil and Africa of today.
He also uses the positives in the leadership of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) to illuminate paths that could be followed in reconnecting and integrating the historical, political, cultural and economic synergies between Brazil and the continent of Africa.
The author makes instructive references to relations between South Africa and Brazil to underline historical, colonial and socio-economic vestiges (both parallels and similarities) that continue to define the two countries. He argues that the painful scars left by what he calls ‘Colonialism of a Special Type’, a common and historical feature in the two countries, continue to characterise much of the two societies.
This book is a breathtaking read. Mavimbela’s description of Brazilian Africanness, his treatment of places he visited in the country, the subjects, environments, rhythms, foods, deities and settings, make up a script for a film, with no loose ends.
This is a necessary and timely book for Brazil, Africa and the African Diaspora – it is something that has been missing in the decolonial and South-South literature.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vusi Mavimbela
Vusi Mavimbela was born in Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal, left the country in 1976 and joined the African National Congress (ANC) in exile where he held several senior positions. Whilst in exile he trained and studied in both political and military science in Moscow, Berlin, Havana and Angola. He returned to South Africa in 1990 and served both as advisor and Director-General in both the administrations of former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
A veteran diplomat, Mavimbela has served as South Africa’s ambassador in Zimbabwe, Egypt and Brazil. Mavimbela is a graduate of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is the author of the following books: Time Is Not The Measure (memoir), Africa and the Testament of the Gods (Popular History of Kingdoms, Slavery and Religion in Africa) and No Lullaby For My Country (Poetry Anthology).