The shortlists for the South African Literary Awards 2022, the 15th edition, were announced on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
The South African Literary Awards, popularly referred to as the SALAs, have honoured many authors since they were founded in 2005. Winning writers and poets have included Es’kia Mphahlele, Nadine Gordimer, Miriam Tlali, Lauretta Ngcobo, Keorapetse Willie Kgositsile, Wally Mongane Serote, Sindiwe Magona, Zakes Mda, Panashe Chigumadzi, Zukiswa Wanner, Sihle Khumalo, Nuruddin Farah, Yewande Omotoso, Sifiso Mzobe, Sabata Mpho Mokae, and Phillippa Yaa de Villiers.
The SALAs, organised by wRite Associates, honour writing and writers in all South African official languages across nine categories. Out of the 266 submissions received, 38 titles made it to the shortlist, under the following categories and languages:
Children’s Literature Award
- André Trantraal, KEEGAN & SAMIER (3) DIE STROKIESPRENT-KOMPETISIE
- Fanie Viljoen, Ouma Mollie en die mensvreter
- Nandipha Nomsobo, Qashi Qashi, Injani?
- Niky Daly, On My Papa’s Shoulders
- Owethu Onez Ndlakuse-Mholweni, igama lam ngu-Owethu
First Time Published Award
- Basil Lawrence, At the Edge of the desert
- Razina Theba, A Home On Vorster Street
- Herschelle Benjamin, In Slavenhuis 39
- Mmabore Gladys Mogashoa, Bohwa bja rena
Youth Literature Award
- Ashraf Kagee, By the Fading Light
- Theodora Lee, Hashtag Happy
- Daniëlla van Heerden, As jy droom
- Thulani Alfred Simayile, Unolali
- Themba Qwabe, Imizila Yegazi
- Thatayaone Dire, Se sa feleng se a tlhola
- Maureen Ngwanamahlole Ramusi, Matlampulele Meduping ya Lerato
K. Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award
- Nick Mulgrew, A Hibiscus Coast
- Lebohang Mazibuko, Bantu Knots
- Mzoli Mavimbela, Amazwembezwembe KaGxuluwe
Poetry Award
- Ashwin Arendse, Swatland
- Joan Hambidge, Nomadiese sterre
- Bafana Charlse Peter, Umkhumezelo umqulu 1, Umkhumezelo umqulu 2
- Sibongile Maputi, Unozala uyalunywa
- Takalani Lishivha, Khali Ya Lufuno
- Thatayaone Dire, Kgatsele ya puo
Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award
- Sally Cranswick, Women out of Water
- Mzoli Mavimbela, Zigqitywa Kuhlwile Zibonwe Liwuhlabile
- SJ Naudé, Mad Honey
Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award
- Ebrahim Harvey, The Great Pretenders: Race and Class Under ANC Rule
- Pumla Dineo Gqola, Female Fear Factory
- Nicol Stassen, Van Humpata tot Upingtonia
Literary Translators Award
- Tuelo Gabonewe, Tshika Fa E Ya Baneng
- Mr Moses Seletisha, Morwa’ka Ruri!
- Ms Vesper Nkoane, Nto Thizeni
Novel Award
- Damon Galgut, The Promise
- Ingrid Winterbach, Voorouer. Pelgrim. Berg
- Jan van Tonder, Grootgeluk
- Yamkela Ntwalana, Intlungu Yevezandlebe
- Phindile Memani, Emhadini Wemigulukudu
- Patrick Khosa, Nhlokonho wa vele
The winners of the awards will be unveiled as part of the Africa Century International African Writers Conference in Durban, South Africa on November 7, 2022. November 7 is celebrated as International African Writer’s Day; the day that the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) was founded.
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