South African Literary Awards 2024 shortlists announced.

The South African Literary Awards 2024 shortlists were announced in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday, October 14, 2024.

The South African Literary Awards, popularly called 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 before the shortlist was revealed on Monday.

“A big thank you must go to the judging panel, from across all our country’s official languages and 16 literary categories, who have read, analysed and finally reached consensus on which authors’ work make the cut,” said Morakabe Raks Seakhoa, the Managing Director of the wRite associates and SALA’s founding Executive Director, highlighting the significance of this year’s event.

Those still in the running are;

Children’s Literature Award

1. Riana Scheepers, Saartjie die spinnekop met sewe bene
2. Roslynne Toerien, The Rumbling Rhino
3. Kwazi Ndlangisa, Vukani Kusile
4. Deidré Jantjies, Stories in die wind

First-Time Published Author Award

1. Tebello Mzamo, I Did Not Die
2. Mafika Jetro Mahlangu, Umrhayili
3. Bonga Matu, Thula Mama Thula – Big Girls don’t Cry
4. Sinethemba Simlindile Bhila, Hawu Mfundisi
5. Mbhazima Silence Baloyi, Ndzi khomeleni
6. Lwando Dlephu, AMAVA AHLABAHLOSILE
7. Constance Marry Mkomi, Zakwetfu
8. Nonceba Mabena, Isikhwebu
9. Beauty Maretsane Madihlabe, Ke tlo mo paledisa

Youth Literature Award

1. Luke Calder, Rodentia
2. Phiwokuhle Phiwe Dekisile, Umsinga Wothando
3. Kobate John Sekele, Ba Kwa Ka Letlalo
4. Nellie Alberts, Reg in die middel van nêrens

k. Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award

1. Jarred Thompson,The Institute for Creative Dying
2. Sihle Qwabe, The Resurrection

Poetry Award

1. Zihnziswa Nyokana, ILIZWI LAMAZWI WAKHO
2. Fhulufhelo Ntsieni, Rudzani
3. Rivalani Jonathan Ngomani, Sayense ya Vutlhokovetseri
4. Sithembele Isaac Xhegwana, Dark lines of history: poems
5. Sipho Banda, A Crowded Lonely Walk
6. Rudzani Eric Mmbengwa, Ngwedzamilambo

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award

1. Carien Smith, Bot
2. Diane Awerbuck, Inside your body there are flowers
3. Dawn Garisch, What Remains

Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award

1. Sihle Khumalo, Milk the Beloved Country
2. Justin Fox, Place
3. David Moroke, Moyagoleele

Novel Award

1. Barry Gilder, At Fire Hour
2. Jabulane Johan Ncongwane, Lifa Letilima
3. Johan Vlok Louw, Sons of Mud
4. Sithembile Mputa, Unyana Wolahleko
5. SJ Naudé, Van vaders en vlugtelinge
6. Thivhusiwi Tshindane Tshivhula, U Gidima Hu Fhirwa Nga U Tshimbila
7. Kabelo Duncan Kgatea, Tsamaya sentle ‘tata’ Mandela

Literary Translators Award

1. Karen Press, Pillage
2. Misokuhle Nyathikazi, Ntofo-Ntofo
3. Michiel Heyns, THE DAO OF DANIEL
4. Moses Seletisha, Dithetosello le dithetotumišo
5. Vonani Bila, Khanimamba N’wantlhadyana na Mbila
6. Eben Venter, Decima

The Chairperson’s Literary Award

• To be announced

Lifetime Achievement Literary Award

• To be announced

The winners will be announced at a ceremony during the 33rd International African Writers’ Day at the 12th Africa Century International African Writers Conference on November 7.

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