South African Literary Awards 2024 winners announced.

The South African Literary Awards 2024 winners were announced in Pretoria, South Africa on Thursday, November 7, 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 September 19 before the shortlist was revealed on October 14, 2024. The winners were unveiled at the Ditsong Museum of Cultural History Museum in Pretoria at a grand ceremony on Thursday. This year’s awards coincided with the 12th Africa Century International African Writers Conference, which celebrates the 33rd International African Writers’ Day and 30 years of South Africa’s democracy.

Commenting on this year’s awards, the organiser and founder of the SALA, Mr Morakabe Raks Seakhoa, was happy that the awards continued the tradition of honouring the best of South Africa’s literary talent as well as promoting writing in indigenous languages.

“It has been a long but fascinating process to identify the outstanding nominees from which to select winners. We thank all the judges who worked tirelessly to select the winners. We are also grateful to the support we continue to receive from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. We look forward to next year’s edition, which will be our 20th anniversary of these important literary awards,” he said.

The winners are;

Novel Award

• Barry Gilder, At Fire Hour
• Jabulane Johan Ncongwane, Lifa Letilima
• Sithembile Mputa, Unyana Wolahleko
• SJ Naudé, Van vaders en vlugtelinge
• Kabelo Duncan Kgatea, Tsamaya sentle ‘tata’ Mandela

Children’s Literature Award

• Kwazi Ndlangisa, Vukani Kusile
• Deidré Jantjies, Stories in die wind

First-Time Published Author Award

• Mafika Jetro Mahlangu, Umrhayili
• Bonga Matu, Thula Mama Thula, Big Girls don’t Cry
• Sinethemba Simlindile Bhila, Hawu Mfundisi
• Lwando Dlephu, Amava Ahlabahlosile
• Beauty Maretsane Madihlabe, Ke tlo mo paledisa

Youth Literature Award

• Kobate John Sekele, Ba Kwa Ka Letlalo
• Nellie Alberts, Reg in die middel van nêrens

k. Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award

• Sihle Qwabe, The Resurrection

Poetry Award

• Fhulufhelo Ntsieni, Rudzani
• Sithembele Isaac Xhegwana, Dark lines of history: poems

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award

• Dawn Garisch, What Remains

Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award

• Sihle Khumalo, Milk the Beloved Country

Literary Translators Award

• Misokuhle Nyathikazi, Ntofo-Ntofo
• Michiel Heyns, The Dao of Daniel
• Vonani Bila, Khanimamba N’wantlhadyana na Mbila
• Eben Venter, Decima

Chairperson’s Literary Award

• Barbara Masekela

Lifetime Achievement Literary Award (for body of work)

• Kanakana Yvonne Ladzani

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