Spanner in the Works

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'Perhaps this is the closest we will come to a Marxist fairytale,' writes Antjie Krog about Pat Fahrenfort's unique memoir.

Spanner in the Works traces the life of this remarkable woman, who began her working life on a factory floor and by sheer determination and chutzpah worked her way to Parliament.

Involving herself in the struggle for democracy, Fahrenfort moves from faculty officer at the University of the Western Cape to being part of the country's first post-apartheid administration - the Constitutional Assembly set up to deliberate and write South Africa's new Constitution. Later she is appointed to a deputy directorship in the Ministry of Labour.

Cyril Ramaphosa writes how Fahrenfort's life story "captures the daily struggles of ordinary working class people who had to negotiate their way through an unforgiving system."

Entertaining, engrossing and frank, Spanner in the Works provides a unique view of the triumphs and challenges leading up to democratisation. Once Pat Fahrenfort glued covers to books in a factory, today she's on the cover of her own.

Pat Fahrenfort left school at age fifteen to work in a factory. Through hard work and dedication, she obtained a university degree and worked as faculty officer at the University of the Western Cape, all the while being involved the the struggle. She formed part of the Constitutional Assembly and was later appointed to a deputy directorship in the Ministry of Labour

ISBN Print: 978-1-4152-0168-8 I ISBN E-Pub: 978-1-4152-0470-2
RRP: R180 I Category: Biography

For an interview with Pat, cover images and/or author photographs, contact Kim Peters at /011 484-3538. For more information, visit www.randomstruik.co.za.