I Swear by Azania is set in post-apartheid South Africa. The story follows Azania, a girl with Pseudoachondroplasia who was born to an Aboriginal Australian father, and a white South African Afrikaner mother. After Azania’s mother commits suicide, she is sent to live with her racist aunt, where Azania is subjected to a life of abuse, neglect and misery. The story takes a deeper look into how racism and discrimination direly affected the lives of characters such as Dingane and Elise from the time of when Apartheid in South Africa was at its peak, to the present post-Apartheid. We see that even though Apartheid was repealed in 1991 (leading to the democratic elections of 1994), the cruel, racist and discriminative legacy of Apartheid still continues to live on.

Shaakira Ally is a poet and spoken word artist. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, where she majored in English (Language and Literature) and Historical Studies. Her poetry focuses on issues such as gender-based violence (and other types of abuse), mental health issues and discrimination. Shaakira’s previous published work is series of beautifully written poems titled A Pariah’s Heartbreak, which gives a compelling look into the mind of a trauma survivor. I Swear by Azania is Shaakira’s first novel.

Customer Reviews

5.0

6 reviews

Christy

Just...wow! Every action has a reaction; some of those reactions create irretrievable consequences. This book creates vivid imagery and will for sure tug at your emotions. It keeps you wondering and hopeful. You'll read about family, love, heartbreak, abuse and betrayal, truth, to name a few. Buckle up and enjoy.
readersworld20

When a child is deprived of love and a safe environment to grow, it leaves a lasting impact on their life. Adoni, who was born with dwarfism, knew this pain all too well. After marrying Elise—who herself had a troubled past—he made it clear that he didn’t want children. But when Elise became pregnant, she kept it a secret from him. By the time Adoni found out, it was too late for an abortion. Despite his reservations, he and Elise welcomed their daughter, Azania. As she grew, Azania was often bullied by other children at school. To cope, she escaped into a fantasy world of her own. But her fragile world came crashing down after her mother’s death. Azania was sent to live with Jasmine, Elise’s sister. Adoni, unwilling to let his daughter end up in an orphanage, believed she would have a better life with Jasmine. But would she really? This story is both powerful and eye-opening. I was shaken by the emotional and physical abuse the characters endured. My heart goes out to Azania. Although Apartheid officially ended years ago, its shadow still lingers. Reading about the suffering people endured during and after that era deeply moved me.
readersheaven1_

Azania's mother, Elise, had two older sisters—Olive and Jasmine. When Azania was born, she was diagnosed with pseudoachondroplasia. This was the very reason Adoni, her father, never wanted children—he didn’t want anyone else to endure the kind of life he had lived. Elise, however, hid her pregnancy until it was too late for a termination, leaving Adoni powerless. Due to the nature of his job, Adoni was frequently away, and Azania was raised solely by Elise. But everything changed the day Elise died by suicide. Knowing he couldn’t care for his daughter because of his constant travels, Adoni turned to Elise’s sister Jasmine and asked her to take Azania in. Although Adoni provided financial support, Azania never received the love or care she longed for from her aunts. Jasmine was indifferent, and Olive openly showed hatred toward her. This left Azania deeply confused, wondering what she had done to deserve such hostility. The story is a true page-turner. Once you begin, it’s impossible to put down. The narrative is tightly structured, and the author has a remarkable talent for keeping readers engaged from start to finish. I can’t wait to explore more works by this writer.
Sakshi_rocksss

As readers delve into this book, the meaning behind its title gradually becomes clear. Dingane, a Black South African, fell in love with Elise, a white South African. Their forbidden love led to a tragic loss of innocent life. Eventually, Dingane fled for his safety, and Elise married Adoni—a circus performer who offered her protection and stability. Elise grew to love Adoni—not as a husband, but as a man whose kindness stood in stark contrast to the cruelty she had known from others. After years of using her body as a means of survival, she finally embraced a life of peace and safety with Adoni. Their world shifted with the arrival of Azania. But Adoni’s worst fear came true when Azania was diagnosed with pseudoachondroplasia. As the story unfolds, Elise takes her own life. Azania often felt unloved by her mother, but Adoni tried to help her understand that Elise was battling an illness that made it hard for her to express love. Life with her aunt Jasmine, however, turned into a nightmare. Alone and confused, Azania sometimes prays, hoping God might finally hear her. Will He listen this time? This story made me reflect deeply on the cruelty people endured during the time of Apartheid. Although the system was officially dismantled in 1991, its impact still echoes today through ongoing discrimination. Azania’s journey stayed with me long after I finished reading—her pain etched into my mind.
thebookaddict25

Set in post-apartheid South Africa, this story follows Azania, a young girl diagnosed with Pseudoachondroplasia. She is the daughter of an Aboriginal Australian father and a white South African Afrikaner mother. Azania's childhood was far from easy. At school, she was often the target of cruel comments by other students. To cope with the harshness of her reality, she created an imaginary world called Behalish. Feeling abandoned even by God, Azania’s world turned darker when her mother died by suicide. With no one else to care for her, she was sent to live with her aunt Jasmine in Johannesburg, along with Jasmine's husband and son. Azania's father, Adoni, felt incapable of raising her alone due to the demands of his job. Life with her aunt was a living nightmare. The story dives deep into Azania's experiences with abuse, racism, and the lingering effects of apartheid. The book is written in clear, accessible language and moves at a brisk pace, making it hard to put down. The dialogue feels authentic and engaging. I highly recommend this book to fellow readers seeking a powerful and emotional read.
Samrina Halim

Great book! As an avid reader, I truly enjoyed the book. I was in tears reading the story. A must read for sure!