Edition #30: Book Review – The City Is Mine, Niq Mhlongo
Dear Girl Bosses Under Duress,
In the spirit of us holding each other accountable on our 2025 reading resolutions, I thought that I should share my review of my most recent read. I have set myself a goal to read 24 books this year. I have now successfully read 3 out of the 24, and I look forward to the 21 that I am yet to read. My advice? Read 10 pages a day, in the first and the last hour of your day. It does not get any simpler than that.
This week I review Niq Mhlongo’s latest novel, The City Is Mine. If you are looking for a novel with a compelling narrative and gritty characters, I sincerely advise that you consider picking this one up. Enjoy!
Introduction
My first time reading Niq Mhlongo was through his debut novel, Dog Eat Dog, first published in 2004. I recall reading this text as a precocious teen, knowing fully well that the contents of the book were way too grown for me. But I thank Clarendon High School for Girls for having the book in our school library nonetheless, because this particular novel opened me up to a world of South African literature that was not particularly interested in colouring neatly within the lines. This sort of writing was unapologetic about what it had to say, and it brought about a refreshing honesty to the mix. It felt exhilarating to be mentally transported into some of the darkest parts of our contemporary lived experience, wrapped up in dark humour, excessive rage and morally questionable characters. Niq Mhlongo’s prose was life altering to me then, and it still is now.
Book Review
His latest offering, The City Is Mine (2024), is set in Johannesburg, where the protagonist, Mangi, and his fiance, Aza have cohabited in their beloved suburban Linden home for close to eight years. One day, while cleaning their bedroom, Mangi unexpectedly discovers an earth shattering secret kept by Aza. Finding this secret leads to the demise of their relationship, leaving him financially destitute. As Mangi attempts to piece together the fragments of his life, he embeds himself within the cold streets of Johannesburg. Here he encounters all sorts of personalities, including fraudsters, sex workers and unhoused people. While painting an intricate image of the city, in all of its grit and splendour, the novel pays plenty of attention to illustrating the complexities of adult relationships – whether they be platonic, romantic, professional, sexual or both. Mhlongo’s ability to capture human connection, and all that is in between is astounding. I particularly enjoyed his nuanced handling of characters of sex workers, fraudsters and common criminals, providing expert portrayals of the lived experiences of often overlooked people.
The novel uses its deep knowledge of South African history as a backdrop, while presenting an intricate and colourful narration of Joburg’s dark and deep underbelly. There is also a great deal of attention given to building its world through a diverse soundscape, boasting tunes that set the scene for every moment. Whether it is through Creep by TLC playing in the background of a smokey brothel, or Soul Brothers’ Bazobuya blasting through a car stereo, the novel taps into your memory as the reader and brings all of your senses to play. Mhlongo’s language often references repulsive bodily fluids and draws our awareness to death, rot and decay. These devices bring attention to the decaying moral fibre of our society, with the promise of the rainbow nation continuously eroded by those in power erroneously lining their pockets. In an almost hyper realistic style, the grit and the grime of the novel transports you into a lived experience of abject poverty, with hyper focussed concerns. Despite the novel touching on a myriad of socio-political issues such the sky high cost of living, youth unemployment, a lack of access to tertiary education etc. there is not so much rambling on about the macro state of the world. There is however always a heightened concern over where the protagonist will get his next meal.
Conclusion
Typical of a Niq Mhlongo read, you are swept away by an anxiety inducing and compelling narrative, with characters who you hate to love. It is also affectionately underscored by the South African story. This novel will make you remember who the “true” crooks are, and you just might be more forgiving towards the semi-crooks. The novel also suggests that nothing is quite black and white in a dog-eat-dog city. Most morals and ethics are relative, especially where stomach politics are concerned. If anything, this novel offers us a fresh perspective on both the old and the new problems that we are faced with as a society. The novel also asks sobering questions of us. Such as whether we will be nauseated enough to make a change of our circumstance, or simply shrug our shoulders and continue to live in our own filth.
If you are willing to sit in this painful discomfort, get yourself this book!
Much love,
Your fellow girl boss under duress,
Thembi
The book sounds so engaging. Thank you for review. I currently read during my daily commutes and just finished my first book of 2025.