Despite Van Wyk's later becoming involved in the anti-apartheid struggle, this is not a book about racial politics. Instead, it is a delightful account of one boy's special relationship with the relatives, friends and neighbors—often decidedly quirky—who made up his community, and of the important coping role laughter and humor played during the years he spent in bleak, dusty townships. Chris van Wyk has created a truly remarkable record of life in the black community at once informative and vastly entertaining.

Shirley, Goodness & Mercy: A Childhood in Africa

Biographies & Memoirs

Van Wyk, Chris

Memoirs

Pan/Macmillan

Shirley, Goodness & Mercy: A Childhood Memoir

Picador Africa

<p>‘Van Wyk said he wanted to be read by everyone; by those about whom he wrote and by those who found his own culture foreign; he chose to write in several genres because “I could”.’ – Mail &amp; Guardian, Maureen Isaacson ‘Kids loved him [Chris van Wyk] – he visited schools all around the country to tell stories and get kids reading. He simply captivated them.’ – Daily Maverick, J Brooks Spector Mr Hare meets Mr Mandela is one of the last stories Chris van Wyk wrote before he died and it originally appeared in Sunday Times Storytime: 10 South African Stories for Children. Mr Hare finds a R200 note on his doorstep. When he turns the note over he sees Mr Mandela’s face and decides to brave the big city of Johannesburg to return it to Mr Mandela. But Mr Hare cannot read and he comes across many people along the way who want to get their hands on Mr Mandela’s money. Mr Hare also cannot work out why the note keeps changing colour! The book is available in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa and isiZulu.</p>

Mr Hare meets Mr Mandela

Children's Books

Animals

Jacana Media

<p>In 1962, at the age of five, Chris van Wyk went to school for the first time. Within days he learned to recite Psalm 23. Bursting with pride, he rushed home to show off his newly acquired knowledge to his mother, Shirley. She was so taken was she with his accomplished delivery, she burst into fits of laughter. Soon others were accorded the privilege of listening to himagain and again. And every time they responded as his mother had. So he carried on Shirley, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The malapropism aptly reflects the tone of this heartwarming childhood memoir.</p>

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy: A Childhood Memoir

My Mother's Laughter: Selected Poems

Literature & Fiction

Poetry

Deep South Pub

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Books by Van Wyk, Chris