The Heart of Redness – Zakes Mda

Set in the lush Eastern Cape of South Africa, The Heart of Redness masterfully blends past and present in a sweeping tale of tradition, resistance, and change. Inspired by true historical events—the 19th-century cattle-killing movement led by the prophetess Nongqawuse—Zakes Mda weaves a compelling narrative that explores the deep cultural divide between progress and preservation.

At the center of the novel is Camagu, a Western-educated South African who returns home after years in exile. Drawn to the rural village of Qolorha, he finds himself caught between two opposing clans: the Believers, who follow tradition and spiritual prophecy, and the Unbelievers, who embrace modernity and development. As Camagu becomes entangled in the village’s conflict—one that echoes the past—he must confront questions of identity, belonging, and the true cost of change.

Richly layered and written with lyrical beauty, The Heart of Redness is both a meditation on the legacy of colonialism and a tribute to the resilience of African heritage. Zakes Mda’s novel is a profound exploration of what it means to find one’s place in a world torn between the old and the new.