Allapoole on kopitud üks ingliskeelne kokkuvõte, aga lühidalt on see kuulsa Lõuna-Aafrika kirjaniku üks vähem tuntud romaane 2009. aastast apartheidijärgsest olelusvõitlusest ja nö "uuest Lõuna-Aafrikast" . Erandlik (teiste Mda romaanides võrreldes) on see, et üks kahest peategelasest on valge (afrikander-) naine, kes on lisaks kohtunik. Teine peategelane on kunagine vabadusvõitleja, nüüdne ihukaitsja - suulu mees. Ei ole nii palju huumorit, kui Mda romaanides tavaliselt, samuti puudub talle omane maagilisrealistlik element. Aga leiab romantikat ja vaimukat satiiri.

Kristin Uys is a tough Roodepoort magistrate who lives alone with her cat. She is on a one-woman crusade to wipe out prostitution in the town for reasons that have personal significance for her. Although she is unable to convict the Visagie Brothers, Stevo and Shortie, on charges of running a brothel, she manages to nail Stevo for contempt of court and gives him a summary six-month sentence.

From Diepkloof Prison, the outraged Stevo orchestrates his revenge against the magistrate, aided and abetted by his rather inept brother Shortie and his erstwhile nanny, Aunt Magda, who believes mass action will force the powers that be to release Stevo.

Kristin receives menacing phone calls and her home is invaded and vandalised. Even her cat is threatened. The chief magistrate insists on assigning a bodyguard to protect her. To Kristin’s consternation, security guard Don Mateza moves into her home and trails her everywhere. Nor does this suit Don’s long-time girlfriend Tumi, former model and successful businesswoman, who is intent on turning Don into a Black Diamond sooner rather than later. And Don soon finds that his new assignment has unexpected complications which Tumi simply does not understand.

In Black Diamond, Zakes Mda tackles every conceivable South African stereotype, skilfully (and with the lightest touch) turning them upside down and exposing their ironies, often hilariously. This is a clever, quirky novel that captures the essence of contemporary life in Gauteng and will resonate with all South Africans.