Evening primrose

Masechaba has spent her childhood dreaming of becoming a doctor, and when that dream finally comes true, she discovers how harshly South Africa's state healthcare system treats the people it is meant to serve. The novel follows her first steps into the profession, set against the country's post-apartheid present.

Her departure from a devoutly religious mother marks a turn in her life, and her friendship with Nyasha, who holds strong political convictions, widens her view of the world. Through Nyasha, Masechaba begins to see the rising xenophobic tensions in the country, tensions that seem to echo the injustices of apartheid.

As she wrestles with her own inner struggles, Masechaba must decide whether to stand up for her closest friend, even though doing so may cost her dearly. The book addresses race, gender and the medical profession with tenderness and a sense of urgency.