South African Literary Awards 2025 winners announced

The winners of the South African Literary Awards 2025 were announced at the Roodepoort Theatre and Museum in Johannesburg on Tuesday, November 11, 2024.

The South African Literary Awards, popularly known as the SALAs, organised by wRite associates, have honoured many authors since 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, were announced on October 27 before the winners were revealed in Johannesburg on November 11. The event was attended by South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.

“The South African Literary Awards have become a sanctuary for these voices, a space where all eleven official languages find equal dignity and where the full breadth of our literary heritage is affirmed,” Minister McKenzie said.

The awards ceremony coincided with the 13th Africa Century International African Writers Conference. The conference also marked the 34th International African Writers’ Day, which was established on November 7, 1991, by the Conference of African Ministers of Education and Culture. The keynote lecture, titled “The Future of African Writing: The Transforming Landscapes, Enhancing the Mbokodo Narratives,” was delivered by Prof Wangui wa Goro, a Kenyan academic, writer, and translator based in the UK.

The winners and runners-up revealed were:

Children’s Literature Award

1. Petleke ya Malemelagotlhe, Kabelo Duncan Kgatea
2. Rakgolo Masoba, Phuti Seboni
3. Big shoes to fill, Upile uThixo Bongco

Runner-Up

1. Celebrating Our Differences: Embracing My Superpowers, Nkateko Emily Mabasa

First-Time Published Author Award

1. One Hundred Years of Dispossession: My family’s quest to reclaim our land, Lebogang Seale
2. Thandeka, Happy Gladness Simelane

Runner-Up

1. And Give Us This Day Our Daily Hope, Lungile ka Dlamini

Youth Literature Award

1. Sejamosela se fetetša noka, Kobate John Sekele
2. Menomasweu, Seakgwe Phalatse
3. Mhlawumbe Ngale Kwethuna, Vusi Makhoba
4. A Tale of Many Tangents, Tiah Marie Beautement

k. Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award

1. Patient 12A, Lesedi Molefi

Poetry Award

1. u Grand, Malume?, Sizakele Nkosi
2. Mosikaro, Molebatsi Bosilong
3. Umkhumezelo Umqulu 3, Bafana Charles Peter
4. Amagagasi Enjabulo, Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi
5. Go Ribega tša Masa, Mosima Phakane
6. Vutshila bya vutlhokovetseri, Vutshila Mission Magaisa

Runners-Up

1. A place to night in, Frank Meintjies
2. Tau Ahlama, M H Hlaka
3. Nyika nkarhi, nkarhi, Hlayiseka S Rikhotso
4. uNobuntu, Nombeko Nontshokweni
5. Ukufa Kwenono, Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award

1. Temoso Setshabeng, Raphashe Abram Lesufi
2. Tears of the Weaver, Zaheera Jina Asvat
3. Ishumi, Kwandile Hadebe

Runner-Up

1. Once Removed: Short Stories, David Mann

Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award

1. A Rare Gift To The Struggle: Ma Vesta Smith and The Everyday Politics of Liberation, Maria Suriano

Runner-Up

1. The Black Atlantic’s Triple Burden: Slavery, Colonialism, and Reparations, Adekeye Adebajo

Literary Translators Award

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

Novel Award

1. Akwaba Ndandingambonanga, Bulelani Matshoba
2. Ditlhako Tsa Bagaditsong, Kobate John Sekele
3. The Comrade’s Wife, Barbara Boswell
4. Xilondza Xa Le Nhompfini, Musa Aubrey Baloyi

Runner-Up

1. Good Hope, Nick Clelland
2. Ing’iyayikhotha Kanti Iyayixathula, Mandlakayise Mfanta

Posthumous Literary Award

1. Magema Magwaza Fuze – Body of Work
2. Molema Mokae – Body of Work
3. Mbongeni Ngema – Body of Work
4. Joan Baker – Body of Work
5. Donald Parenzee – Body of Work
6. Juby Mayet – Body of Work
7. Matsemela Manaka- Body of Work]
8. Maishe Maponya – Body of Work
9. Breyten Breytenbach – Body of Work
10. Mohlomi Moleleki – Body of Work
11. Colin Smuts – Body of Work

Chairperson’s Literary Award

1. Mzwakhe Mbuli – Body of Work

Lifetime Achievement Award

1. John Kani – Body of Work
2. Mavis Smallberg – Body of Work