Illusions of Grandeur

This is a story of love, lust, sex, greed, betrayal and misplaced loyalties. It examines short-sighted values, short-term self- interests and the dangerous allure of wealth and its acquisition by any means necessary. Love, sex, lust, social standing, fear, envy, greed, lies, power, corruption and betrayal govern and drive the characters. While many are trying to escape their poor pasts, others are living in denial of broken marriages, have relationships built on false pretences and loyalty to political alliances. They abandon their values and deny their pasts in an effort to gain influence and societal respect. The book is set in 21st century, liberal and coming-of-age South Africa and explores the lives of contemporary black South Africans recently enriched through Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) deals provided by the changed political and economic landscape in the country. The protagonists are Zwelibanzi (Zweli), his wife Nomonde, his in-laws Dr. and Mrs. Ngamla, Zimkita (Kitty) his mistress and family friends Zamo and Noma. White and Black South African tenderpreneurs in their love for lavish lifestyles and designer labels, craft friendships with influential members of the ruling party that give them access to the BEE loot and the life style it buys. Of equal interest is the tremulous relationship between Kitty and Ali the Nigerian drug kingpin. The story unfolds in Cape Town’s luxurious seaside suburb of Llandudno. It explores the lavish lifestyles of the new young black elite and their white associates that have become quintessential for the tenderpreneurs. They all search for a better life but their raw ambition to accumulate wealth clouds their judgment and numbs their ability to find the true meaning of life. Their tumultuous, destructive and conflict-ridden relationships with themselves and others drive them towards and away from each other in a world where material wealth, your bank balance and who you know define your social and business eminence. When things begin to go horribly wrong, they are forced to re-examine their lives, revisit where they come from and ask themselves what it is that they really need in life beyond the wealth and societal posturing. They have to make choices that change their lives and force them to face the consequences of their unwise choices. This book examines the greed of young Black and White South Africans and the fate that awaits them when things fall apart. It paints a picture of their Illusions of Grandeur.