Holding Up The Sky

Local Description

2008. First edition. A near fine, unmarked copy.

Description

This astonishing autobiographical work is the story of a young Australian woman's complex love affair with Africa and its people. Sandy Blackburn-Wright lived and worked in South Africa between 1988 and 2003 - years coinciding with some of the nation's most tumultuous and significant events, including the release of Nelson Mandela. As a social worker in the townships she witnessed the brutality of life under the apartheid regime; at the same time she was bewitched by the uncrushable spirit of the people; the richness of the culture; the beauty of the land. Through her work she met her husband Teboho, and began the next phase of her life as part of an extended and welcoming traditional, rural black South African family.

Author description

Sandy Blackburn-Wright was born in rural New South Wales and grew up in the northern suburbs of Sydney. In 1988 she left for South Africa, only fifteen years later returning to Australia where she now lives with her family. Sandy currently works in human resources.