By Sitha Maliwa:
When Jackie Phamotse writes, South Africa listens. The bestselling, award-winning author – whose words have long peeled back the layers of wealth, power, and survival – has returned with a new literary storm: The Advocate.
The novel arrives as the highly anticipated follow-up to her acclaimed The Tea Merchant (longlisted for the Sunday Times Fiction Award and shortlisted for the SA Book Awards). With The Advocate, Phamotse once again dares readers to step into a world where polished facades mask rotting empires, and where love and corruption wage war over the soul of a family.
Set against the brooding landscapes of Clanwilliam, The Advocate chronicles the slow, devastating collapse of the Coal family empire. Beneath the grandeur of their name lies betrayal, secrecy, and the unravelling of their once-unshakable dynasty.
At the centre of the turmoil stands Luna Parks, whose troubled marriage threatens to implode under the weight of deception. But when an unwelcome guest sets foot on the family farm, what is already fragile begins to fracture beyond repair.
Enter the Fletchers, a menacing clan whose creeping influence poisons everything it touches. Against this shadow of greed and corruption, an advocate rises – becoming both a weapon and a last line of defence. For Cameron Coal, however, the fight is deeply personal. He is trapped between love and loyalty, justice and legacy. His impossible choice will determine whether the family’s name survives or is buried under the ruins of betrayal.
More than a family drama, The Advocate interrogates questions that cut deep into the South African psyche: What is the true cost of power? Can justice survive when corruption is systemic? And when families are built on lies, is love enough to hold them together?
Phamotse, never one to shy away from uncomfortable truths, delivers a narrative as urgent as it is enthralling – one that promises to both entertain and provoke
Jackie Phamotse is no stranger to shaking literary tables. Since her explosive debut, BARE I: The Blesser’s Game (2017), which earned her the African Icon Literary Award in Lagos, she has consistently blended sharp social critique with riveting storytelling.
Her BARE series established her as a fearless chronicler of contemporary power struggles, while Tweet What I Like revealed her intellectual range, paying homage to Steve Biko’s seminal writings. By 2020, she had cemented her place as one of South Africa’s most compelling voices, with BARE II: The Cradle of The Hockey Club winning the SA Book Award for Best Fiction.
Her literary fire has only grown hotter. In 2023, Bare IV: Mercy was nominated for both Nielsen BookScan and SAPnet bestseller accolades, further confirming her staying power.
Away from the page, Jackie is a businesswoman, activist, and philanthropist based in Sandton, using her platform to confront social issues while inspiring change. Recognised at the Women of Wonder Awards and other platforms, she embodies the resilience her characters so often demand.
The Advocate is more than just a follow-up to The Tea Merchant – it is a bold, haunting story of family, corruption, and the human spirit’s fight for survival. It cements Jackie Phamotse’s place not only as a bestselling author but as a cultural force whose stories echo long after the last page.
The Advocate
ISBN: 978 1 77639 229 2
Price: R320.00
Category: Fiction – @NewsSA_Online
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