The Small Matter of a Horse by Charles van Onselen is a compelling historical biography that traces the life of Nongoloza Mathebula—once known as Jan Note—a man who transformed from a petty criminal into the legendary founder of the Umkhosi Wezi-ntaba, precursor to the infamous “28” prison gang. Through this gripping account, van Onselen sheds light on how colonial injustice, racial inequality, and myth-making shaped a life of crime, reflecting the deeper violence embedded in South Africa’s past. A thought-provoking exploration of identity, rebellion, and social fallout.
