Anwar ‘Ahnie’ Brandt runs the dangerous streets of Jurassic Park with the Butcher Boys. Derick is overwhelmed by life’s curveballs, and Rolanda is determined to live the high life. In a place where survival means everything, these four characters must navigate the chaos, fighting for more than just a chance at tomorrow.
Author: Chase Rhys
Genres: General fiction, novella
Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Publisher: Kwela
Published: 2018
Plot Details
On the rough streets of Jurassic Park on the Cape Flats, Anwaar ‘Ahnie’ Brandt is a name everyone knows. He started as an extra in a movie once, but now, he’s the feared leader of the Butcher Boys gang. And he’s not just looking to run the neighborhood—he’s got much bigger plans in mind.
Then there’s Derick. He’s just left school and is already caught up in the weight of responsibility after Nicole turns up pregnant. Life doesn’t ask for permission to throw curveballs, and Derick’s learning that the hard way. Rolanda, on the other hand, has no time for problems—she’s got her eyes on the high life, dreaming of being the Cape Flats’ version of a socialite, a “Kardashian” in her own right.
But life on the Flats doesn’t hand out dreams like candy. These four are on the verge of adulthood, stuck in a place where hope feels more like a trap. With futures uncertain and paths already set by the harsh realities of their environment, they find themselves in a fight for survival—not just for their lives, but for their identities.
Through their struggles, Rhys shows us the underbelly of life on the Cape Flats. He brings us into the chaos and pain, but with a tenderness that makes us understand each character’s journey.
Meet The Author
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Chase Rhys, a writer from Ocean View, is known for his work in novels, plays, and scripts. After studying drama at the University of Cape Town, he captured attention with his debut play, *Kinnes*, which won the Adam and Rosalie Small Prize in 2017. He adapted it into a novella, published by Kwela in 2018, and earned the KykNET-Rapport Prize in 2019 for its film category win. He’s also shared his voice through short stories in *Die nuwe Afrikaanse prosaboek* and *They Called Me Queer*.
Watch Chase Rhys Launch Kinnes
Author: Editorial Team
About The Author
