Black Diamond – Zakes Mda

Sharp, witty, and unflinchingly honest, Black Diamond is Zakes Mda’s biting satire of South Africa’s new elite and the shifting moral landscapes of post-apartheid society. At the heart of the novel is Don Mateza, a former struggle hero turned successful security consultant, now navigating Johannesburg’s world of wealth, politics, and ambition.

Don’s life takes an unexpected turn when he is tasked with protecting the flamboyant and controversial Judge Qonda. But as Don becomes increasingly entangled in the judge’s corrupt dealings and his own pursuit of a luxurious lifestyle, he must confront the compromises he’s made in the name of success—and the cost of turning freedom into personal gain.

With piercing humor and insightful commentary, Mda exposes the ironies and contradictions of South Africa’s black middle class, often referred to as “black diamonds.” Black Diamond is a brilliant exploration of ambition, identity, and the uneasy relationship between past ideals and present-day privilege.