“Quirky, unusual, fresh, and like nothing we’ve seen before…” – i-escape.com

'Chasing The Devil' – In Search of Africa’s Fighting Spirit. Tim Butcher lectures at The Library, Franschhoek

Best-selling author (Blood River) and adventure-traveller Tim Butcher lost friends in Sierra Leone during its civil war and was threatened with death by the Liberian warlord Charles Taylor, but he faced down these demons by trekking 350 miles through the jungle on an epic journey to one of Africa’s most overlooked regions. He wanted to learn how a society recovers after conflict so brutal it created some of modern Africa’s most troubling icons – child soldiers, blood diamonds, prisoner mutilation. Following a trail blazed in 1935 by a young and whisky-steeped Graham Greene, Tim slept in villages run by `devils’, masked spiritual figures who keep society’s secrets.
In his talk, Tim will describe an unforgettable adventure and how he encountered a remarkable spirit to survive. But he will also tackle difficult questions about how this spirit to survive rarely transforms into a spirit to thrive.’
Time: 7 pm
Date: Thursday 24th November
Venue: The Library, 16 Wilhelmina Street, Franschhoek
Cost: R100, including a light supper. Wine available
To reserve tickets please email bandoola@mweb.co.za
Tim Butcher is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and best-selling author.  His first book, Blood River, used an account of an epic journey he made through the Congo to unravel the region’s turbulent history. It was a number one best-seller, translated into six languages and shortlisted for various book prizes. For his second book, Chasing the Devil, published recently, he trekked 350 miles through Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
On the staff of the Daily Telegraph from 1990 to 2009, he specialised in awkward places at awkward times, reporting on conflict in the Balkans, the Middle East, Africa and south Asia. In 2010 he received an Honorary Doctorate for service as a writer and was made Patron of Save The Congo, a British-based charity.
Born in Britain in 1967, he is based in Cape Town with his girlfriend and their two children.



 

6 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

Jan & Seanreply
November 27, 2011 at 06:11 PM

That was a truly enjoyable, entertaining and educative Thursday eve coupled with fine company, nourishing food and plenty of quaffable wine. I was so happy that i had thought to outlook myself for a lie-in on Friday morning! Looking forward to more adventures at The Library and will not be missing the hallucinogenic Sunday….. Thanks Jo! Sean and Jan

Mo-Pedreply
November 28, 2011 at 12:11 PM

An excellent evening, Tim’s talk was most interesting and certainly inspired me enough to buy both his books which will be read under palm tree on the Kenyan coast in December!
Mo-Jo it was most generous of you to donate the proceeds to Movember.
Unfortunately we will not be here for the

Mo-Pedreply
November 28, 2011 at 12:11 PM

Sorry I pushed the button too early…we will sadly not make the Absinthe evening, would love to hear all about it, if you can remember anything!!!!!
Great idea Mo-Jo look forward to many more entertaning evenings at the Library.
Many thanks Mo-Ped and Caro

Neilreply
November 28, 2011 at 02:11 PM

Thank you for a wonderful 1st. Explorer Club meetinf (the first of many I hope). Tim’s talk was excellent. Great venue, worked really well. Lasagne and Wine and good talking company. What more could we want, accept: more please!!!

Lieslreply
November 29, 2011 at 02:11 PM

Delicious food & wine, good company & a fascinating talk by Tim Butcher….all the ingredients for a most successful evening….thanks Jo!

Paul and Sarahreply
December 01, 2011 at 08:12 AM

We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Tim’s talk was excellent. I had already read “Blood River” and now will be reading “Chasing the Devil” with more interest. The venue is just right for such events, wine and food were great. We look forward to many more events. Thanks Jo.

Reply to Neil Cancel reply