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www.kaffertjie.com

Winner of the 2007 Jan Rabie/Rapport Award for fresh, new Afrikaans Literature.

"The 2007 Jan Rabie / Rapport Prize was awarded to Johan Engelbrecht, for his debut work, 'kaffertjie.' Engelbrecht was commended for his contribution to renewal in Afrikaans literature. Says Dr Andries Visagie from the University of Kwazulu/Natal and a judge in this category; "Engelbrecht is responsible for one of the most original debut works in Afrikaans literature's history."

Prof Gerrit Olivier
Rapport: 19 November 2006

"The novel shows another facet of the different truths about our past under Apartheid. What is moving about it is the manner in which it places emphasis on human values way above racist categorization."

Justice Edwin Cameron
Constitutional Court Judge and Author of Witness to AIDS

Sunday Independent: Books Page December 2006

'BEST READS OF THE YEAR'

'kaffertjie,' by Johan Engelbrecht is a provocatively titled novelization of a most remarkable true story. The writer's childless aunt and uncle - he was a West Rand Conservative Party councilor in the 1980s - took their helper's infant into their doting care when she became permanently institutionalized. The title is eponymous, and is meant to capture the contradictions in this story of love, devotion and (fortunately brief) betrayal across the chasms of racial ignorance and stupidity. The book is already making waves in its Afrikaans appearance."

Justice Edwin Cameron
Rapport: 19 November 2006

"This is an important moment in Afrikaans literature. Now is the time to write honest stories about Apartheid. So many books from this era are filled with self-pity, but this book doesn't have a trace of it. It is written with so much insight that it takes you right back to that time, as well as taking you back to connecting with your own heart."