South African Literary Awards 2025 shortlists announced.

The South African Literary Awards 2025 shortlists were announced in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday, October 27, 2025.

The South African Literary Awards, popularly known 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, Phillippa Yaa de Villiers, Ntloro Charlotte Pebane, Shevlyn Mottai, Dimakatso David Mokwena, and Terry-Ann Adams. Some of the 2024 winners were Barry Gilder, Jabulane Johan Ncongwane, Sithembile Mputa, SJ Naudé, Kabelo Duncan Kgatea, Mafika Jetro Mahlangu, Bonga Matu, Sinethemba Simlindile Bhila, Lwando Dlephu, Beauty Maretsane Madihlabe, Sihle Qwabe,  Fhulufhelo Ntsieni, and Sithembele Isaac Xhegwana.

The shortlists for the 2025 edition, compiled by a 33-strong panel of judges, have been announced today.

“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.

The shortlisted titles are;

Novel Award

• Akwaba Ndandingambonanga by Bulelani Matshoba
• Ditlhako Tsa Bagaditsong by Kobate John Sekele
• The Comrade’s Wife by Barbara Boswell
• Good Hope by Nick Clelland
• Xilondza Xa Le Nhompfini by Musa Aubrey Baloyi
• Ing’iyayikhotha Kanti Iyayixathula by Mandlakayise Mfanta

k. Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award

• Patient 12A by Lesedi Molefi

First-Time Published Author Award

• One Hundred Years of Dispossession: My family’s quest to reclaim our land by Lebogang Seale
• Thandeka by Happy Gladness Simelane
• And Give Us This Day Our Daily Hope by Lungile ka Dlamini

Children’s Literature Award

• Celebrating Our Differences: Embracing My Superpowers by Nkateko Emily Mabasa
• Petleke ya Malemelagotlhe by Kabelo Duncan Kgatea
• Rakgolo Masoba by Phuti Seboni
• Big shoes to fill by Upile uThixo Bongco

Poetry Award

• A place to night in by Frank Meintjies
• u Grand, Malume? by Sizakele Nkosi –
• Mosikaro by Molebatsi Bosilong
• Tau Ahlama by M H Hlaka
• Umkhumezelo Umqulu 3 by Bafana Charles Peter
• Ukufa Kwenono by Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi
• Amagagasi Enjabulo by Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi
• Go Ribega tša Masa by Mosima Phakane
• Nyika nkarhi, nkarhi by Hlayiseka S Rikhotso
• Vutshila bya vutlhokovetseri by Vutshila Mission Magaisa
• uNobuntu by Nombeko Nontshokweni

Youth Literature Award

• Kobate John Sekele – Sejamosela se fetetša noka
• Seakgwe Phalatse – Menomasweu
• Vusi Makhoba – Mhlawumbe Ngale Kwethuna
• Tiah Marie Beautement – A Tale of Many Tangents

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award

• Temoso Setshabeng by Raphashe Abram Lesufi
• Tears of the Weaver by Zaheera Jina Asvat
• Once Removed: Short Stories by David Mann
• Ishumi by Kwandile Hadebe

Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award

• A Rare Gift To The Struggle: Ma Vesta Smith and The Everyday Politics of Liberation – Maria Suriano
• The Black Atlantic’s Triple Burden: Slavery, Colonialism, and Reparations –Adekeye Adebajo

Literary Translators Award

1. Ke Rata Punky by Moses Seletisha
2. Izinkabi: Yasho Inganono, Laphalala Igazi by Sifiso Mzobex

The winners will be announced at the thirteenth Africa Century International African Writers Conference, celebrating the thirty-fourth International African Writers’ Day on November 7. A ceremony honouring the winners and runners-up, made possible by the partnership with the City of Johannesburg’s Library and Information Services, will take place on November 11, 2025, in Johannesburg.