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A FEAST OF A BOOK

About four years ago I came across Anna Trapido. I instantly knew that I was reading the work of a unique culinary commentator. This was creative genius in a country of mostly bland writing.

It was like a delicious mouthful of superlative champagne after a long drought. I knew instantly that I had to approach her to write a book.

As synchronicity would have it, I was invited to a media event arranged by this magazine. I met Anna, and published her first book, To the Banqueting House (African Cuisine - an epic journey) - and it is a masterpiece. Co-authored with talented chef Coco Fathi Reinarhz, it is both a cookbook and an unashamed culinary love letter to the fine flavours of Africa. It deservedly won Best Food History book in the World at the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards in China.

Anna describes her latest book, Hunger for Freedom as a 'gastro political book, with recipes'. To me this isn't just a palatable history lesson, but my personal connection with the great Nelson Mandela. While my name does not appear on the imprint page, I know that my connection with this book does, like the photograph that was never taken of me with Madiba, exist in my soul.

My personal Madiba-story started years back, long before I danced in the middle of a Melville street at 2am to the then-banned song, 'Free Nelson Mandela'. In fact, my earliest memories are of my cousin marrying someone in England who was a Rivonia trialist and could never - as we thought then - return to South Africa. What a shocking tale that was to me.

My tale continues in Soweto the day Madiba was released. The sight of the throngs of jubilant, ululating people is one of my most unforgettable, indelible images.

Then Mr Mandela was invited by the publishing company for which I worked at the time, to a banquet during which I requested to be introduced to the great man. As is his wont, he was gracious. My only regret, that I didn't have myself photographed with him. But then, if you keep cherishing memories and buff them 'till they shine, they never fade as photographs do.

Many South Africans have stories to tell that link them - albeit vicariously - to Madiba. Some even have a personal bond - and many of those appear in Anna's extraordinary book.

When Anna brought the idea of the book to me, I knew it would take the publishing world - and more - by storm. I was also sufficiently level-headed to realize that this was too big a project for a small publisher. Jacana Media became involved and moreover, there was the astounding support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

This feast of a book is the result.

This is Nelson Mandela's hunger for freedom in both a literal and metaphoric sense; throughout, it links stories of his life and the people around him, with food. From his childhood to his days as a young man, to his first wife and the heady days with his second that then dissolved into long, terrible years in prison, the food that the man was served and ate is all in the book. Prison food is never good, and Madiba's years on Robben Island are heartbreakingly told through the meager agenda-laden offerings on his plate.

After his release things naturally changed and finally, his years with Graca Machel have him enjoy one of my favourite dishes, crab and prawn curry.

And I particularly love it with a glass of the very best champagne.