by Bree O'Mara

Winner of The Citizen Book Prize 
The first ever book prize to be chosen by the reading public,
this is a satirical, highly amusing and clever portrayal of life in a little ‘dorp' in South Africa

The fictitious village (dorp) of Hillman, in the south Drakensberg Mountain area of KwaZulu Natal, has only 237 residents.  The cast of characters ranges from the mayor Dewalt ‘Pompies' van Niekerk, Tinkie Groenewald the busybody post-mistress, Lady Eleanor Lambert-Landsdowne of lavender, bridge and fancy hats fame, Neels the unlikely son of the sheep farmer Kobus van Vouw, and the ladies with their knitting needles and wonderful baking. 

Mayoral elections - in the past just a good reason for a party in the pub - are coming up again.  Things are about to change and the protagonist for this change is young Alpheus, who persuades his grandfather, Ephraim "Oubaas" Mthethwas to stand for election. Oubaas is content with his life, but thinks "what fun", puts on his hat with the feather in it, and the fun starts.

Next, to create a stir in this previously sleepy village is a rumour that a rich developer wants to create a Las Vegas/Sun City resort.

South African Bree O'Mara has written a witty and enjoyable book full of characters that many readers will recognize.  Appealing greatly to those that understand the South African humour, it is also a relevant and topical book pointing fingers at current affairs.

Published by 30° Degrees South, ISBN 978-1-920143-19-0 rrp R135. 

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