Anecdotes from Africa is an introduction to the people and animals of South Africa by way of a collection of humorous anecdotes about events in the life of the author, and the lives of family and close friends, who have their roots deeply implanted in Africa. They are all true events, dating from early childhood, that have mainly taken place in Africa, but sometimes in other parts of the world when people from Africa travel and their innocence and naivety are exposed to the world at large. The book describes close encounters with baboons, snakes, monkeys, lions and elephants, and even swans, but also encounters of a different kind while travelling or staying in other parts of the world. The title reflects this African source of these anecdotes, and the book aims to preserve them for posterity. Most of the stories are illustrated by the nephew of the author, David Beukes, who works in the advertising industry in Johannesburg.