South African Literary Awards 2024 longlists announced.

The nineteenth edition of the South African Literary Awards longlists were announced on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

The South African Literary Awards, popularly referred to as the SALAs, organised by wRite associates 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. In 2023, the winners included Sinathi Mpukwana, Molebatsi Bosilong, Philip de Vos, Claudette Browne Storrar, Ayanda Chris Mntwapi, Ntloro Charlotte Pebane, Shevlyn Mottai, Dimakatso David Mokwena, and Terry-Ann Adams.

The journey for 2024 officially started with the announcement of the longlisted writers on Thursday, September 19.  

“We are excited to celebrate 19 years of SALA. This initiative has consistently showcased the best of South Africa’s literary talent and the vital role of literature in our society,” said Morakabe Raks Seakhoa, managing director of wRite associates and Sala’s founding executive director. “SALA’s success reflects the dynamic and evolving literary scene in South Africa. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of exceptional writers who have made a significant impact.”

The longlisted writers and poets are;

Novel

• No Easy Race, Jabulani Mkhonto, English
• At Fire Hour, Barry Gilder, English
• Three Egg Dilemma, Morabo Morojele, English
• From There On Downhill Masilo Junior Ramphadi, English
• Paperless, Buntu Siwisa, English
• Lucia sekhopole sekgobela, A Brave soul, English
• Each Mortal Thing, Michiel Heyns, English
• Tunnel, Nick Mulgrew, English
• The Weight of Shade, Michael Boyd, English
• Sons of Mud, Johan Vlok Louw, English
• Mirage, David Viviers, English
• The Bitterness of Olives, Andrew Brown, English
• The Thing with Zola, Zibu Sithole, English
• My Side of the Ocean, Ron Irwin, English
• The Reed Dance Stalker, Angela Makholwa, English
• The Ghost of Sam Webster, Craig Higginson,         English
• Meribha : Our legacy lives in Mapungubwe, Simon Moditi Kekana, English
• Hou jou oë oop, Brian Fredericks, Afrikaans
• Gebeente, Etienne van Heerden, Afrikaans
• Op pad na Moormansgat, Chris Karsten, Afrikaans
• Die melkweg en die miskruier, Jeanette Ferreira, Afrikaans
• Ons skulde, P.P Fourie, Afrikaans
• Deelfontein, Nicole Jaekel Strauss, Afrikaans
• Sagie Is, Jan van Tonder, Afrikaans
• Mara, Marida Fitzpatrick, Afrikaans
• Eugene, Kirby van der Merwe, Afrikaans
• Flora, Engela Ovies, Afrikaans
• Die verleiding van Eva de Winter, Louis Krüger, Afrikaans
• Van vaders en vlugtelinge, SJ Naudé, Afrikaans
• Hulle noem haar Carminda, E Kotze, Afrikaans
• Dwelm, Rudie van Rensburg, Afrikaans
• Leo, Deon Meyer, Afrikaans
• Die kerkseun, Wiaan Janse van Rensburg, Afrikaans
• Sluitstuk, Johann Rossouw, Afrikaans
• Katvis, Annelie Botes, Afrikaans
• Minder as water, Morne Malan, Afrikaans
• Sithembile Mputa            Unyana Wolahleko          IsiXhosa
• Ayanda Mchunu               Akabange Esafika             IsiZulu
• Bengilinde Nina, Vusi Makhoba, IsiZulu
• Mokoko Wa Lenala Sekopa Le Matsuane, Mathapolane Jennette Mpepele             , Sepedi
• NKA UPŠA KA JEWA KE MANONG, Kobate John Sekele, Sepedi
• Sebata Kgomo Kgorong ya Mosate, Phineas Khuzwayo Moloto, Sepedi
• Tsamaya sentle ‘tata’ Mandela, Kabelo Duncan Kgatea, Setswana
• Lifa Letilima, Jabulane Johan Ncongwane, Siswati
• U Gidima Hu Fhirwa Nga U Tshimbila, Thivhusiwi Tshindane Tshivhula, Tshivenda
• DAMBUWO LI SI NA MURATHO, Thambatshira Ndadza, Tshivenda

First-time Published Author Award

• Poetry from the dumping site (Prison Collection), Samuel Mvuzo Matebese, English
• Hot Water, Nadine Dirks, English
• Comrade King, Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, English
• Tamanna for change, Siyabulela Mokebe, English
• I, The Worst of All, Bophelo Morake, English
• Thula Mama Thula – Big Girls Don’t Cry, Bonga Matu, English
• Lights, smoke & shadows, Makhetha Floyd Mohlomi, English
• A Remedy for Death, Sarah M Naidoo, English
• I Did Not Die, Tebello Mzamo, English
• Lost Property, Megan Choritz, English
• African Dawn, Maureen Campbell, English
• How to hide inside a three, Jane van der Riet, English
• Conquer Your Mountains, Mandla Moyo, English
• Runs Gentle Upon the Earth, Geoff Olivier, English
• The Art of Propaganda – Shaping Public Opinion and Putting Society at Risk, Deji Haastrup, English
• Vuurvoël, Elmarie Viljoen-Massyn, Afrikaans
• Die gawe van groen, Elmarie Dercksen, Afrikaans
• Umrhayili, Mafika Jetro Mahlangu, IsiNdebele
• Isikhwebu-Amabali amafutshane nemibongo, Nonceba Mabena, IsiXhosa
• Umabuy’ekwendeni, Ntombozuko Matshamba, IsiXhosa
• Amava Ahlabahlosile, Lwando Dlephu, IsiXhosa
• Iyoo, mma ke a swa!, Ramaesela Margaret Bodila, Sepedi
• Lesogana la Mahlale, Phuti Jorries Seboni, Sepedi
• KE SENTŠENG, Manamela Lesetja Albert, Sepedi
• Malapa ga a lekane, Tshauke Khomotso Queen, Sepedi
• Ke tlo mo paledisa, Beauty Maretsane Madihlabe, Sepedi
• Zakwetfu, Constance Marry Mkomi, Siswati
• Hawu Mfundisi, Sinethemba Simlindile Bhila, Siswati
• Ndzi khomeleni, Mbhazima Silence Baloyi, Xitsonga

k. Sello Duiker Memorial Award

• A Soft Landing Wisani Mushwana, English
• The Resurrection, Sihle Qwabe, English
• Buried Treasure, Sven Axelrad, English
• The Frightened, Lethokuhle Msimang, English
• The Institute for Creative Dying, Jarred Thompson, English
• Albertze bottelnek breek bek, Dianne Du Toit, Afrikaans
• Tsi ubomi ngamahlandenyuka, Dunyiswa Nyweba, IsiXhosa
• Umnyaka Wemnyakato, Fortune Andile Mgwenya, Siswati
• Ndi Ḓo Lusa Nga Nungo Dzoṱhe, Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho, Tshivenda

Poetry Award

• The Journey of Learning, Masilo junior Ramphadi, English
• Thoughts And Tears, Mosimanegape Leeuw, English
• Dark lines of history: poems, Sithembele Isaac Xhegwana, English
• A Whistling of Birds Isobel Dixon, English
• ’94, Zama Madinana, English
• Crocodiles in Belfast, Jim Pascual Agustin, English
• Slanted Justice, Marlon Khoza, English
• Let Us Be Love, Lazola Pambo, English
• A Crowded Lonely Walk, Sipho Banda, English
• Afterwards, Kerry Hammerton, English
• So, Beatrice Willoughby, English
• Soekenjin, Bibi Slippers, Afrikaans
• Ontaard, Pieter Odendaal, Afrikaans
• Môre en gistraand en die einde van die maand, Philip de Vos, Afrikaans
• Plunder, Antjie Krog, Afrikaans
• Tom Dreyer         Nou in infrarooi Afrikaans
• ILIZWI LAMAZWI WAKHO, Zihnziswa Nyokana, IsiXhosa
• Iziyaca: Ingqokelela yemi bongo, Sitembele Xhegwana, IsiXhosa
• Aphi Na Amadoda, Awodwa Ntshwanti, IsiXhosa
• Ingoma Yendalo, Ongeziwe Est Bolisi, IsiXhosa
• Kudidiyelwe; Sondelani, Masiza Mazizi, IsiXhosa
• Nami Ngisazophendula, Vusi Makhoba, IsiZulu
• Di a galaka, Moses Shimo Seletisha, Sepedi
• Tšhatšhaoka, Classi Kgopa, Sepedi
• Ngwedzamilambo, Rudzani Eric Mmbengwa, Tshivenda
• Rudzani , Fhulufhelo Ntsieni, Tshivenda
• Sayense ya Vutlhokovetseri, Rivalani Jonathan Ngomani, Xitsonga

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award

• A Little Light, Nthikeng Mohlele, English
• Hitting fifty in style, Busisiwe Ngwenya, English
• The adventures of a lifetime, Masilo Junior Ramphadi, English
• Help, Help, Nataniël, Afrikaans
• Bot, Carien Smith, Afrikaans
• Uhambo lwama-Afrika, Vusi Makhoba, IsiZulu

Creative Non-Fiction Award

• The Quest for Unity: An Appraisal of Regional Integration in Africa, David Monyae and Sizo Nkala, English
• Eskom: Power, Politics and the (Post)apartheid State, Faeeza Ballim, English
• Mokgomana: The Life of John Kgoana Nkadimeng 1927-2020, Peter Delius & Daniel Sher, English
• Mzala Nxumalo, Leftist Thought and Contemporary South Africa, Robert Balfour, English
• Global Africa: Profiles in Courage, Creativity and Cruelty, Adekeye Adebajo, English
• Zondo at your Fingertips, Paul Holden, English
• The Lion’s Historian: Africa’s Animal Past, Sandra Swart, English
• Fascists, Fabricators and Fantasists: Anti-Semitism in South Africa from 1948 to the Present, Milton Shain, English
• Revisiting Sol Plaatje’s Mafeking Diary: Reconsideration and restoration, Sabata-Mpho Mokae and Brian Willan, English
• You’re Okay, But The Stuff That Happened To You Wasn’t, Lutendo Rhinah Singo, English
• The Perimenopausal Globetrotter, Xoli Madlala, English
• Musi Musings – Celebrating Our Alma Mater, Reverend Themba Mntambo, English
• Being an African in the 21st Century: Modern African, Lesedi Setlhodi-Paul, English
• Unrecorded mysteries in the bible, Moses Divine, English
• The Girl Who Survived Her Mother, Moshitadi Lehlomela, English
• Blood has a voice: Stories from the autopsy table, Hestelle van Staden, English
• Statues and Storms: Leading through change, Max Price, English
• How to Steal a Goldmine: The Aurora Story, Dianne Hawker, English
• I am Ella: A remarkable story of survival, from Auschwitz to Africa, Joanne Jowell, English
• Dear Comrade President, Andre Odendaal, English
• Mr Entertainment: The life of Taliep Petersen, Paula Fourie, English
• Place, Justin Fox, English
• Legends: People Who Changed South Africa for the Better, Matthew Blackman and Nick Dall, English
• Milk the Beloved Country, Sihle Khumalo, English
• What’s Your Money Personality?, Vangile Makwakwa, English
• Rassie: Stories of Life and Rugby, David O’Sullivan              , English
• Standing up for Science, Salim S Adbool Karim, English
• Meer as jou seerkry, Johannes de Villiers, Afrikaans
• Diensplig: Hoekom stotter ons pa’s so?, Anelia Heese, Afrikaans
• Die binneland in: Nog stories en reise, Dana Snyman, Afrikaans
• Skatryk: Waarom ons beter leef as ons voorsate, Johan Fourie, Afrikaans
• Poskaarte van ‘n reis, Jacqueline Leuvennink, Afrikaans
• Moyagoleele, David Moroke, Setswana

Youth Literature Award

• My Life, My Dance, My Soul: The Story of Gregory Maqoma, Gregory Maqoma, English
• Langabi: Season of Beasts, Christopher Mlalazi, English
• Talents Mapping Foundations Program, Meladi d’Angel,  English
• Zamani’s Comeback, Tiah Marie Beautement, English
• Rodentia, Luke Calder, English
• The Witches of Hogsback, Sally Partridge,              English
• Crossing the River, Fred Khumalo, English
• My So-Called Friend, Prudence Makau, English
• Vuurvreter, Joha van Dyk, Afrikaans
• Dryf, Cecilia Steyn, Afrikaans
• Kanniedood, Joha van Dyk, Afrikaans
• Tuimeltrein, René van Zyl, Afrikaans
• Wim Vermaak maak ‘n plan, William Oosthuizen, Afrikaans
• Reën vir Stofvlei, Katherine Graham, Afrikaans
• Waar jakkalse huil, Elrien Scheepers, Afrikaans
• Jaco Jacobs, Tekkies, Afrikaans
• Om jou te ken, Cliffordene Norton, Afrikaans
• Krag, Fanie Viljoen, Afrikaans
• Die lewe se vuil houe, Fanie Viljoen, Afrikaans
• Een dag in Julie, Nerine Ahlers, Afrikaans
• Kompleks, Louis Pretorius, Afrikaans
• Veergewig, Jan Vermeulen, Afrikaans
• Die monster in my melkskommel, René van Zyl, Afrikaans
• Reg in die middel van nêrens, Nellie Alberts, Afrikaans
• Saterdag val ek vir jou, Cecilia Steyn, Afrikaans
• Die woud van sneeu en ys, Frenette van Wyk, Afrikaans
• Umfundisintsapho ulibulele ikamva lam!, Yondela Ngqokelela, IsiXhosa
• Imela Igobel’esandleni, Phiwokuhle Phiwe Dekisile, IsiXhosa
• Ba Kwa Ka Letlalo, Kobate John Sekele, Sepedi
• O tlo feletša kae?, Makwena Lydian Nkwana, Sepedi
• Ntlhatlhe, Maake Taola, Sepedi

Children’s Literature Award

• The Pikinini Scientist sprinkles some love dust, Sarona Lengana, English
• The Joy Dancer, Gregory Maqoma, English
• The Great Escape, Masilo Junior Ramphadi, English
• Girls Don’t Do That, Thembi Kgatlana, English
• Nala Sings, Nonikiwe Mashologu, English
• I am Shudu: Finding my Voice, Knowing my Strength, Shudufhadzo Musida, English
• Kita’s dance with dust, Venessa Scholtz, English
• Bongi Ballerina, Kristien Potgieter, English
• Slooths, Lori-Ann Preston, English
• Pumpkin finds her beat, Bianca Flanders, English
• Beautiful Colours, Collen Nxumalo,           English
• Sunday Scones, Matina Genkova-Mpofu, English
• Mom, why am I Different? Matina Genkova-Mpofu, English
• The Decoys, Samkelo Jikwana, English
• Disaster at Gogo’s Spaza, Salamina Mosese, English
• The Dog with the Broken Wag, Paula Fourie, English
• Remarkable Me, Tshwanelo Serumola, English
• A friend for all seasons, Refiloe Moahloli, English
• Wonderfully Made, Tshwanelo Serumola, English
• Part of a Team, Refiloe Moahloli, English
• Zandi’s Song, Zandile Ndhlovu, English
• Let’s Play, Refiloe Moahloli, English
• You are a wish, Jaco Jacobs, English
• Pumpkin finds her beat, Bianca Flanders  , English
• Under the Baobab Tree, Roslynne Toerien, English
• It’s Wonderful Me!, Makhosazana De Wette Dludla,         English
• The Rumbling Rhino, Roslynne Toerien, English
• Mind the monkeys, Dianne Stewart, English
• Chicken for Breakfast, Phindile Memani, English
• Katastrofe, De Wet Hugo, Afrikaans
• Speurder Sammi, Crystal-Donna Roberts, Afrikaans
• Stories in die wind, Deidré Jantjies, Afrikaans
• Ouma Mollie gaan terug skool toe, Fanie Viljoen, Afrikaans
• Karatekas, Anzil Kulsen, Afrikaans
• Saartjie die spinnekop met sewe bene, Riana Scheepers, Afrikaans
• Daar’s ’n towerponie in my bed! , Martelize Faber, Afrikaans
• Die WARE avonture van Adelie en Riley: Die swembadmonster, Felicia Snyman-du Toit, Afrikaans
• Seeperde, Naomi Meyer , Afrikaans
• Dit is nie ‘n boek nie!, Jaco Jacobs, Afrikaans
• Die meisie met vlerke, Jaco Jacobs, Afrikaans
• Net nie ‘n hond nie!, Jaco Jacobs, Afrikaans
• Vukani Kusile, Kwazi Ndlangisa   , IsiZulu
• Mediro ya kgosi Leobu, Malema Christinah, Sepedi
• Mohatasediba, Molebatsi Bosilong, Setswana
• Tshamato, Phathutshedzo Netshivhulana, Tshivenda

The Chairperson’s Literary Award

• To be announced

Lifetime Achievement Literary Award

• To be announced

The completion of the adjudication process by between 30 and 35 seasoned judges will yield a short list of nominees from whom ultimate winners will emerge. The outstanding writers who continue to shape South Africa’s literary landscape will be honoured on November 7. In addition to the SALA ceremony, the 12th Africa Century International African Writers Conference will be held on the same day, celebrating the 33rd International African Writers’ Day and 30 years of South Africa’s freedom and democracy.

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