“In what amounts to a self-effacing, gloriously funny 173-page rant – a kind of Muslim counterpart to Portnoy’s Complaint – Essa tackles topics that many another journalist would far rather avoid… The book is not only seamlessly written, it is also chutzpadik, refreshing and – at its core – deeply humanistic” – The Jewish Report
“Azad is a journalist for the 21st century. He is at the beginning of a professional life of activism, action and a whole lot of fun. I have no doubt that this will be the first book of many. I am honoured to be associated with it” – Ferial Haffajee, City Press editor-in-chief
“At once tjatjarag and lyrical, the digitally compressed and accelerated voice of a South Africa that no media tribunal could ever silence” – Nic Dawes, editor-in-chief Mail & Guardian
“Brilliant. Handsome. The voice of his generation. But enough about me, Azad Essa is a typing tough guy whose words are able to do more damage than mere sticks and stones. I'd be very surprised if the authorities allowed you to board a plane with this very dangerous book” – Dylan Muhlenberg, GQ
"If Azad Essa is the voice of the under-30's South African, then luckily we're dealing with a pretty smart bunch… Using the classic tools of satire & parody, mixed with some subversion and pop culture shout-outs, Azad Essa is speaking for the next generation" – Leadership magazine
“Zuma's Bastard is to South African social and political commentary what Russel Crowe is to mouthy hotel employees – a hard fist to the face… [It] is essential reading for every person who thinks of South Africa as their home, who loves this country, irrespective of their political leanings, religion or other means of old South African division. Zuma's Bastard will give you a new perspective about how you view life in South Africa" – Hamish Pillay, author of The Rainbow Has No Pink
“Azad manages to weave the uncomfortable contradictions and truths of our fractured society into easy flowing, fast-paced prose… [His] writing shows sensitivity and depth, hooking you from the first paragraph and leaving you wanting more. This is insight. It’s a fresh, youthful take on one of the most complex, frustrating and interesting countries in the world. The book pays homage to its roots as a blog – showing a rich mix of strong opinion with breezy and accessible writing” – Matthew Buckland, Thought Leader founder and publisher of Memeburn.com
“Witty and fearless… While Essa's blog garnered acclaim for his edginess and wit, it also received a fair share of flack from critics for his brutal truth-telling techniques and blatant writing style” – The Times
"The real power in this collection lies in its author's age: the book is a missive from the generation who don't remember apartheid, and it's got a lot to say to those of us who do. If Essa is any indication, the next crop of writers is exactly what South Africa needs - the man is abrasive, engaged, uncowed." – Kevin Bloom, journalist and author of Ways of Staying
" Insightful, witty, and hilarious! A definite must-read!" – Sentletse Diakonyo, Thought Leader
"Zuma's Bastard compellingly offers fresh ideas to tired problems with a keenness and engagement that, I think, makes Azad one of the most lucid voices of our generation" – Khadija Patel, Khadijapatel.co.za
“Zuma's Bastard is the new generation's arrogant and self-critical voice about Durban, South Africa and Africa in the world. Azad Essa, a Bollywood-soaked, Indian-battered, black South African-tinged, accidental academic and incidental journalist – who has seen India and Kashmir, India better, in Kashmir, Pakistan, the so-called Middle East and Europe – leaves no holy cows untaunted- nay he even imagines them as beefburgers. The taunting is fast and furious and is bound to irritate many men and a few women in power. Despite all that, some of the best caricatures are of himself drawn as a comical cartoon in a baffling world of contradictions. His popularity is catching but the moral questions he asks of us cannot be sidestepped. Read this book, buy the T-shirt, be with it and get angry because the author takes his jokes (often us) seriously” – Professor Ari Sitas, Head of Sociology, UCT
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