Drinking with ghosts

In this current climate, Michael Schmidt���s Drinking with Ghosts: The Aftermath of Apartheid���s Dirty War (BestRed) is a remarkable example of rigorously-researched and brave investigative journalism. The Executive Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in South Africa, Schmidt has a respected track record as a journalist for publications including the Sunday Times and ThisDay. The book draws on his extensive experience in the field. Drinking with Ghosts unpacks and reflects on the actions, both covert and overt, carried out by the state and its operatives during the apartheid years in Southern Africa. Its specific focus is on the Dirty War as exemplified by hidden nuclear weapons, clandestine forays into neighbouring states, mass poisoning and disposal of military opponents, shady arms deals and bloody massacres.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Human Science Research Council SA
Published
2026-05-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14749/32386167
Primary Topic
South African History and Culture
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Drinking with ghosts

Human Sciences Research Council
Human Science Research Council SA
South African History and Culture
article

Drinking with ghosts

Human Sciences Research Council
article en

Abstract

In this current climate, Michael Schmidt���s Drinking with Ghosts: The Aftermath of Apartheid���s Dirty War (BestRed) is a remarkable example of rigorously-researched and brave investigative journalism. The Executive Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in South Africa, Schmidt has a respected track record as a journalist for publications including the Sunday Times and ThisDay. The book draws on his extensive experience in the field. Drinking with Ghosts unpacks and reflects on the actions, both covert and overt, carried out by the state and its operatives during the apartheid years in Southern Africa. Its specific focus is on the Dirty War as exemplified by hidden nuclear weapons, clandestine forays into neighbouring states, mass poisoning and disposal of military opponents, shady arms deals and bloody massacres.

Human Science Research Council SA
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
South African History and Culture
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