Look Before you Leap

The title of the book literally means Think before you Do and is an autobiography of Nomonde Scott. It is an innovative and inspiring exhibition of emotions and experiences to be learnt from the author's life. It has been painstakingly written to afford the reader an opportunity to do introspection into his/her own life and guard against any frivolous pursuits that may advertently or inadvertently subject him/her to unforeseen and painful ramifications of his/her actions.
This is the life of a woman coming from humble beginnings and brought up by noble parents who were devout Christians. Life has been a roller-coaster ride filled with potholes for Nomonde Scott. She was the first African lady public prosecutor in the Western Cape and the first public prosecutor in South African history to have sent offenders to prison, followed them and shared a cell with them. Her story is worth telling and has a prospect of ensuring that those in power understand that nobody is above the law therefore, they must refrain from any involvement in corruption and any criminal activity.
The book unequivocally gives an account of her experiences in life and which may have led to the commission of crime. In the same breath, it explores her trials and tribulations in life generally.
Look before You Leap by Nomonde C Scott evokes in the reader a tumultuous journey of the struggle to come to terms with the harsh realties of the South African penal system. In post-apartheid South Africa Ms Scotts personal quest to come to terms with her choices reflects experiences that are reality for many and whose journey to redemption and closure with incarceration reflects the complexities that underpin unique, resilient South Africans such as the author. The text is accessible and allows readers from different classes in society to engage with the text and reflect on the author's eventual triumph over adversity together with responsibility for one's action coupled with accountability and justice. At the conclusion of the personal narrated events by the author one must, Look before You Leap.
Mahmoud Patel
Lecturer, Department of English (UWC)