Paul Murray

Paul Murray is a retired history educator. He has a DPhil in the historical sciences from the University of Pretoria and a PhD in South African political history from Unisa. He writes on topics such as food, travel, politics and art. A specific area of interest is South African history and politics. A favourite pastime is viewing 12th and 13th century international Gothic art pieces.

Across boundaries: a life in the media in a time of change by Ton Vosloo: a book review

Paul Murray Books and writers 2023-10-17

"In 1970, the NP scored a massive victory at the polls, but it was a time that government opposition became weakened and the Progressives gained ground. Was it because the newspapers in the Nasionale Pers were conscientising Afrikaners to start accepting change?"

On that wave of gulls by Vernon Head: a book discussion

Paul Murray Books and writers 2023-08-17

"The reader of this book will soon find that Head writes as if he is birdwatching while writing. This strategy is an important feature in the book; there is an arrangement of the words, searching meaning, like turning out to watch birds – birds jumping around on the pages, flitting about in all directions."

John William Colenso: Heretic or savant?

Paul Murray Opinion 2023-06-29

"In appraising Colenso, some have portrayed him as a heretic, an ambiguous figure and an enigma. As a bishop, he never really fitted in with the work he was meant to do, because of his divergent views from the mainstream canons of the English Church. This is not to deny his work as a missionary and a teacher, which, in retrospect, might have been the correct designation for his role."

The renaming of the Krotoa Building at the University of Stellenbosch and “A !Nau for now: crossing oceans inside”

Paul Murray Universiteitseminaar | University Seminar 2023-05-22

"The name Krotoa is not only linked to a woman, but also to an entire underrepresented group of people indigenous to Southern Africa and the area now known as the Western Cape."

The ANC: Is there hope for a new generation?

Paul Murray Opinion 2023-01-09

"Politics is a dynamic field, and one can only hope that one way we as South Africans can have a future of some sort, lies in the energies of the next generation of leaders who bear with them the qualities of integrity."

Comment: "Rabe versus Koorts: Wat staan ’n vrou nou te doen?" (Crito)

Paul Murray SêNet-briewe 2022-12-22

"Are they now automatically excluded from Crito’s discussions?"

Milner – last of the empire-builders by Richard Steyn: a book review

Paul Murray Books and writers 2022-10-12

"Neither is Steyn professing to write academically, he writes for readers who read for pleasure but who want to be informed. The fact remains the book is an important text and adds richly to South African historiography for an understanding of an era."

Slabbert: Man on a mission. A biography by Albert Grundlingh: a review

Paul Murray Books and writers 2022-06-17

"The established South African historian Albert Grundlingh explains his decision to pen the biography on Frederik van Zyl Slabbert (1940–2010). Primarily a 'social historian', Grundlingh nevertheless decided to take up the challenge as a biographer and write about Slabbert. As he was working on an article on him, so he gradually became intrigued by his subject, leading to this cradle-to-grave biography. The book explores Slabbert’s life in each of his designations – as an academic, as a politician, as a social activist and finally as a person engaged in business and entrepreneurship."

Merrydown Farm, a Karoo novel by Michael King

Paul Murray Books and writers 2022-01-05

"He wants to be alone to remake himself in conditions of aloneness, of brief solitariness. Here begins his exploration. He is a tabula rasa on which he can rewrite his story. He explores the place geographically, establishes a frame within which to live his life. He discovers new ways, new routines, sees new things."

The passing of Desmond Tutu, 26 December 2021: A few memories

Paul Murray Opinion 2021-12-27

"He was one of the greatest the country has ever seen, iconic beyond description, who stood up for the rights of all South Africans, and whose legendary status reached the rooms, offices, courts of monarchs, heads of nations and spiritual leaders of virtually every country in the world."

FW: Sentiments about our past are strong, well founded and entrenched

Jan-Jan Joubert, Paul Murray Interviews 2021-11-18

"De Klerk was never trusted by the securocrats – they preferred the old boys’ club of PW Botha, Magnus Malan, Kobie Coetsee, Louis le Grange and Adriaan Vlok. They saw him as a softie, a weakling, a goody two shoes, a bluestocking."

Hidden Johannesburg by Paul Duncan and Alain Proust, a review

Paul Murray Books and writers 2021-03-16

"Duncan and Proust have compiled a magnificent book, a feast for the eye. In it, they have captured numerous buildings, each with its own intriguing story."

Lanzerac Wine Estate: a treasured Cape Winelands experience

Paul Murray Kos en wyn 2019-04-18

"The big question stands: how did it get its name, the Lanzerac? How did she come upon the name?"

Murray’s food trails: Kalk Bay

Paul Murray Kos en wyn 2019-03-08

"Spacious walkways stretch from one side of Kalk Bay to the other, offering excellent facilities for recreational walking or just sight-seeing – at places, with sight-seeing of the harbour and the mountains. Or, just come and enjoy fresh fish and chips from some of the local venues, such as Kalky’s, which is reasonably priced."

Murray’s food trails: Andringa Street, Stellenbosch

Paul Murray Kos en wyn 2019-02-28

"Stellenbosch’s visitors, tourists and residents will certainly find a great deal of attraction in the area of Andringa Street, Stellenbosch, particularly the leg between Dorp and Plein Streets. There is a great deal to discover there, and lots to do  ̶  everything from ice cream parlours, fashion boutiques, a book shop, to antique stores and a range of restaurants/eateries."

Top