Inside the negotiations that reshaped South Africa: Mandy Wiener’s The Deal

South Africa’s post-election political drama has been captured in Mandy Wiener’s latest book, The Deal.

Through hundreds of hours of interviews with 25 key political figures, Wiener unpacked how coalition talks reshaped the nation and led to the formation of a Government of National Unity.

"I had to cast a very wide net," said Wiener.

For the first time in 30 years since the country's first democratic elections, the ruling ANC failed to secure a majority.

It meant that the buzzword of the day became 'coalition'.

But what would that look like? Who would be willing to jump into bed with whom, and at what cost?

She told Manyathela how she began with then Secretary-General of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, whom she described as 'enormously helpful', responding straight away to Wiener's interview request.

From there, Wiener said she went through the party's formal channels and down a list of at least 20 people she wanted to speak to.

"Some didn't happen, some declined, some ignored requests."

In order to get a complete picture ofthe post-election coalition negotiations, Wiener said she felt it was important to hear from all factions of the ANC.

One voice she was keen to have reflected in the book was that of Nkenke Kekana.

"I begged and tried and tried, and eventually, the day before going to print, he agreed," Weiner reveals, adding that the ANC NEC member gave her a lot of insight.

"I tried to tell as full a story as possible," says Wiener, who also managed to speak to the President himself.

Ultimatley, Weiner interviewed 25 political figures during hundreds of hours of interviews.

To listen to Mandy Wiener in conversation with 702's Clement Manyathela, click on the audio below: