Eight Days in September: The Removal of Thabo Mbeki is a political memoir by South Africa author and former civil servant Frank Chikane. Published in 2012 by Pan Macmillan South Africa, the book was presented as an insider's account of the events leading to the removal of President Thabo Mbeki from office in September 2008.
Content Frank Chikane served as the Director-General in the Office of the President during Mbeki's presidency. In this capacity, he was responsible for managing the transition from Mbeki to Kgalema Motlanthe and subsequently to Jacob Zuma.
The book focuses on the eight-day period, in September 2008, during which Mbeki was removed from office.Pan Macmillan South Africa - Eight Days in September, 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2025 Chikane describes the internal strife within the African National Congress (ANC), the political maneuvering that led to Mbeki's ousting, and the subsequent transition of power. He also reflects on Mbeki's legacy and the implications of his removal for South Africa's political landscape.
The Chikane files Prior to the publication of the book in 2012, Chikane had authored a series of articles known as the "Chikane Files," which were published in The Star newspapers in 2010. The book expands upon these articles.New book looks at Mbeki exit, IOL, July 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2025 The ANC's secretary-general at the time, Gwede Mantashe, in July 2010, invited readers to be cautious of the files as they were not the "gospel truth".Chikane files not gospel - ANC, News24, 24 July 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2025
Reception "In the final telling, Eight Days feels very inadequate. Chikane comes across as unsaying as much as he says.", wrote Sipho Hlongwane in his review of the book for the Daily Maverick. The Mail & Guardian found Mbeki's portrayal "sycophantic".
References
External links Pan Macmillan: Eight Days in September