That book sounds like the story of many South Africans. My own dad was a victim of a car jacking where the perpetrator shoved a pistol against his temple and pulled the trigger. Fortunately the ammunition was old and defective and did not fire. My dad calmly got out of the van and they drove off with it.
Since Mandela was released and the ANC won power through democratic elections, many white South Africans have immigrated to other countries. The tragic part is that many of those who left were professionals like doctors and engineers who were sorely needed in the rebuilding of South Africa. Most would say they left because they had fears of South Africa going the same way as other African countries like Zimbabwe for example. Personally I do not get on well with most white South Africans as my wife would tell you, they are simply too negative and bitter over having lost "white control" over South Africa and many even hope that South Africa spirals into complete disorder and chaos so they can say "see I told you so, those monkeys can't run a country". They would rather see South Africa become a political and social disaster to prove their disgusting point than see it become a success story of racial harmony. Truly disgraceful.