Let's talk frankly

South Africa has seen a disturbing culture of acquiesce and silence develop after 1994. Such silence is largely driven by patronage and a misplaced sense of loyalty, especially to the ruling party. It is clear that speaking out has been left to a few voices that are seen as having nothing to lose. Let's talk frankly contributes to saying some home truths in a satirical sense and is meant to offend sensibilities as well as raise things that people often say around dinner tables but are too afraid or too constrained to say in the open - where such speaking out could have consequences for them. The addressees of the letters - from Helen Zille to Gwede Mantashe and from Revd Ray McCauley to Steve Hofmeyr - are people of influence who are called upon to change the course of events in society. In the letter addressed to each of them, they receive praise for work well done and are castigated for poor judgement and omissions in their public life and deliberations.