This book gives a unique insight into the thoughts and concerns of South Africans under the age of 30. Young people from across the country participated in a letter-writing contest to give their experiences and opinions, and to reveal their lives, hopes, and ambitions. The book uses their own words as they try to make sense of post-Apartheid South Africa. Chapters and authors in the book are, as follows: (1) "'My Life in the New South Africa': Introduction" (Ted Leggett); (2) "How the Contest Was Run" (Robin Richards); (3) "And the Answer Is..." (Siyabonga Mngadi; Ted Leggett); (4) "'Innovation Is the Cornerstone of My Work': Creative Use of Language" (Elana Bregin); (5) "Faith and the Culture of Optimism" (Ted Leggett); (6) "'Yours in the Rainbow Nation': Young South Africans and the Rainbow" (Helga Dickow); (7) "'South Africa Is Beautiful as Seen on Television': Media, Culture, Consumerism and Sport" (Ted Leggett); (8) "'My Loving Parents, Caring Brother, and Fantastic Dog': Youth and the Family" (Siyabonga Mngadi; Colin van Rooyen); (9) "'My Daily Routine': Time Use in the New South Africa" (Valerie Moller); (10) "'It's a Fact That We as the Youth Are in a Hurry': Youth, Sex, and Sexuality in the New South Africa" (Colin van Rooyen); (11) "Looking at the New Democracy: Perceptions of Politics" (Robin Richards); (12) "End of the Innocence: Crime in the New South Africa" (Antoinette Louw); (13) "'A More Wholesome Equality': Race Relations" (Ted Leggett); (14) "'The Key to the Future': Perspectives on Education" (Christa Van Zyl); (15) "Careers in Transition" (Siyabonga Mngadi); and (16) "The Mindset of Contemporary Youth" (Valerie Moller). (BT)