Skertse by MC Botha

MC Botha is an Afrikaans writer and editor of the regional newspaper The Hermanus Times . As a writer, he is known for his short stories, travelogues and novels. He has also published a number of award-winning dramas.

Skertse (Jokes) is a continuation of his debut, but in a satirical way, where man is presented as a machine rather than natural and the political situation is also examined. It is a penetrating look at South African society, where the characteristics of a quasi-intellectual but callous society, emotionless and devoid of a sense of freedom and a natural drive for life are addressed all characteristics of the common man. Walter Battiss did the drawing for the cover of this book. The fear of censorship over the content of the stories and the Battiss sketch on the cover made him decide to publish this book with the alternative publisher Taurus, rather than with a mainstream publisher.