South Africa

Friday – 5th April 2019

‘We are not afraid of Mr Magashule’s threats’ – Penguin Random House statement on Gangster State

Penguin Random House has released another statement in response to controversy surrounding the new book Gangster State.

Thursday – 4th April 2019

Read an excerpt from Arushi Raina’s debut novel, When Morning Comes – a snapshot of South Africa on the eve of the Soweto uprising

Jacana Media has shared an excerpt from Arushi Raina’s debut novel, When Morning Comes.

Africa’s Business Revolution – The definitive guide to doing business in Africa, packed with fresh insights from McKinsey and exclusive interviews with prominent CEOs

Africa’s Business Revolution: How to Succeed in the World’s Next Big Growth Market, by Acha Leke, Mutsa Chironga and George Desvaux, is out now from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Wednesday – 3rd April 2019

Penguin Random House statement on new book Gangster State: We will not buckle under political pressure

Penguin Random House has released a statement saying they stand by Pieter-Louis Myburgh, the author of Gangster State, and will not withdraw the book despite criticism from the ANC. 

Gerald Kraak Anthology and Prize shortlist announced, honouring African writing that provokes thought on the topics of gender, social justice and sexuality

The Jacana Literary Foundation, in partnership with the Other Foundation, has announced the judges’ selection for the third Gerald Kraak Anthology. Created …

Join Fiona Snyckers, in conversation with Lorraine Sithole, for the launch of her new novel Lacuna at Love Books

You are invited to the Johannesburg launch of Lacuna, the new novel by Fiona Snyckers.

Monday – 1st April 2019

‘We are willing to forcefully change our society if the need arises’ – Rekgotsofetse Chikane on #FeesMustFall

Rekgotsofetse Chikane, youth activist and author of Breaking a Rainbow, Building a Nation, spoke to The Reading List about the nature of student politics in the country before, during and after the emergence of #FeesMustFall.

What happens when the last breath stops? Read an excerpt from The Blackridge House by Julia Martin

Jonathan Ball Publishers has shared an extract from The Blackridge House by Julia Martin. The Blackridge House is a meditation on belonging, of …

Gangster State by Pieter-Louis Myburgh – the explosive new book unravelling Ace Magashule’s web of capture

Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule’s Web of Capture by Pieter-Louis Myburgh is available now from Penguin Random House.

Vagabond – Lerato Mogoatlhe’s hilarious and honest account of her five years of living as a drifter in Africa

Vagabond: Wandering Through Africa on Faith by Lerato Mogoatlhe is out from BlackBird Books in April 2019!

Don’t miss the launch of Vagabond: Wandering Through Africa on Faith by Lerato Mogoatlhe at Exclusive Books Rosebank

BlackBird Books and Exclusive Books invite you to the book launch of Vagabond: Wandering Through Africa on Faith by Lerato Mogoatlhe!

Friday – 29th March 2019

Try something different this weekend with Marlene van der Westhuizen’s lamb shank moussaka from her new cookbook, Plate

Try Marlene van der Westhuizen’s recipe for lamb shank moussaka, from her wonderful new cookbook, Plate.

Thursday – 28th March 2019

Wilbur Smith’s new novel King of Kings – an epic story of love, betrayal, courage and war

King of Kings, the long-awaited sequel to the worldwide bestseller The Triumph of the Sun, brings together two of Wilbur Smith’s greatest families, The Courtneys and the Ballantynes.

WIN 1 of 3 copies of Zakes Mda’s new novel, The Zulus of New York, his most heartbreaking love story yet

Three lucky readers will win a copy of Zakes Mda’s new novel, The Zulus of New York, courtesy of Penguin Random House!

Traditional Leaders in a Democracy – exploring how chieftaincy is practised, experienced and contested in contemporary South Africa

Traditional Leaders in a Democracy: Resources, Respect and Resistance is out now from Jacana Media.

Wednesday – 27th March 2019

Cover reveal! Vuvuzela Dawn, a collection of 25 definitive South African sporting moments

‘A fresh spotlight on an exhilarating journey, and some much-needed reminders of how sport has enriched lives and opened minds in South Africa over the last 25 years.’ – Lucas Radebe

Don’t miss the launch of the extraordinary book The Last Elephants at Kalk Bay Books (9 April)

‘Who and what would we be without elephants in the world? What would their extinction say about the human species? What would be the cost of the loss of this animal to the landscapes, to the ecology of other species such as insects, birds, mammals, plants and trees and more … and to the human psyche?’ – Dr Ian McCallum

The Dinaane Debut Fiction Award call for submissions

If you are an aspiring author and want the chance to get published, then this is the opportunity you have been waiting for.

Tuesday – 26th March 2019

Don’t miss the launch of Whatever, the frank and hilariously dark memoir of 19-year-old Saskia Bailey, at The Book Lounge (10 April)

MFBooks Joburg invites you to the Cape Town launch of Saskia Bailey’s debut book, Whatever: A 21st-century Memoir.

Spice up your weekend with Marlene van der Westhuizen’s delicious oven-baked chicken with green olives, prunes and coriander

‘This must be one of the most popular party dishes I have ever come across, thanks to the good people of Paarl.’