Ebrahim Harvey’s High-profile Launch for Kgalema Motlanthe Trends on Twitter

by Amy on Oct 12th, 2012

Kgalema Motlanthe: A Political Biography by Ebrahim Harvey was launched last night at the University of the Witwatersrand. The high-profile event was packed with politicians, struggle veterans and media personalities. Gwede Mantashe, Tokyo Sexwale, Trevor Manuel, George Bizos and Ahmed Kathrada were among the familiar faces in the audience.

The streams of tweets sent out during and after the launch got the #Kgalemabook hashtag trending yesterday evening:

#kgalemabook is now trending in South Africa trendsmap.com/za

— Trendsmap SthAfrica (@TrendsSthAfrica) October 11, 2012

A Books LIVE correspondent attended the event and will be writing a full launch report shortly – in the meantime, here’s what Twitter had to say:

At Motlanthe book launch at Wits. Cars queueing outside. This is gonna be a big one #MotlantheLaunch

— carien du plessis (@carienduplessis) October 11, 2012

Not often that one find Kgalema Motlanthe, Gwede Mantashe, George Bizos, Tokyo Sexwale, Trevor Manuel and @garethcliff in one room #ANCidols

— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) October 11, 2012

Mantashe now talking #Malema disciplinary. In his book, Motlanthe said ANC took wrong route by expelling Juju. #KgalemaBook

— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) October 11, 2012

#KgalemaMo “Kgalema gave me over 200 hours of his time, an expression of his commitment to this biography over 3 years.” Ebrahim Harvey

— Exclusive Books (@exclusivescoza) October 11, 2012

#KgalemaMo “Political bios are usually intrusive. Kgalema’s openness and time indicated to me that this man had nothing to hide.” Harvey

— Exclusive Books (@exclusivescoza) October 11, 2012

Harvey,- if there was something Kgalema wanted to hide, he’d never have agreed to this. He is biographers delight #KgalemaBook

— carien du plessis (@carienduplessis) October 11, 2012

Kgalema gets a most warm hearty wonderful welcome. If this book wasn’t meant to launch his campaign, it now is #MotlantheLaunch

— carien du plessis (@carienduplessis) October 11, 2012

#KgalemaMo The deputy president has just taken the podium and is welcoming a truly A-list crowd, including George Bizos and Trevor Manuel

— Exclusive Books (@exclusivescoza) October 11, 2012

“I want to share the reasons for letting Harvey write – its never possible for political activists to make time to write books” #KgalemaMo

— Exclusive Books (@exclusivescoza) October 11, 2012

#KgalemaMo “It was important that Harvey pen this book – to generate debate and discussion”

— Exclusive Books (@exclusivescoza) October 11, 2012

Motlanthe- I did not want a book that is only about positive issues because I think if any value from this book is if it … #KgalemaBook

— carien du plessis (@carienduplessis) October 11, 2012

… Succeeds in generating debates, undermining our fixed positions, us, everyone else question underpinnings of institutions #KgalemaBook

— carien du plessis (@carienduplessis) October 11, 2012

Motlanthe- because if not we won’t serve as raising agent for change #KgalemaBook there you are, he said change

— carien du plessis (@carienduplessis) October 11, 2012

Motlanthe – book is re history not just life of individual. I read a book called the Life of a useless Man. It’s a very NB book #KgalemaBook

— carien du plessis (@carienduplessis) October 11, 2012

Motlanthe: on my tombstone I want – ‘others made suggestions and he implemented’. And that’s the end. Loud applause. #kgalemabook

— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) October 11, 2012

Can’t wait to get this Motlanthe book.It’d be interesting to read what he’s about seeing that mangaung is fast approaching #KgalemaBook

— Hlengiwe N Ngwenya (@Mabuya_N) October 11, 2012

I think Malome Gwede was spot on, if you don’t know the man you’ll think he’s weak, but those who know are always in awe #Kgalemabook

— Kagiso Motlanthe (@DickSithole) October 11, 2012

Ah! Can’t wait to get my hands on it… #KgalemaBook RT @neomoja: This should be an interesting read lockerz.com/s/252243997

— Nehanda(@JacquiThePoet) October 11, 2012

President Motlanthe making few remarks at the #KgalemaBook Launch. He’s got dignity and wisdom. High respect. lockerz.com/s/252232616

— Floyd Shivambu (@floydns) October 11, 2012

What a strong message from #KgalemaBook – “change” and “implementation” not only suggestions. #MangaungML

— Jacaranda Newsteam (@Jacanews) October 11, 2012