The shortlists for the 2024 South African Literary Awards have been announced.
The SALAs are awarded annually by the wRite Associates and the Department of Arts and Culture to celebrate literary excellence in all South African languages.
The shortlists were chosen by a panel of thirty judges.
The prize seeks to:
pay tribute to South African writers who have distinguished themselves as groundbreaking producers and creators of literature, while celebrating literary excellence in the depiction and sharing of South Africa’s histories, value systems, philosophies and art as inscribed and preserved in all the official languages of South Africa.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History in Tshwane on 7 November, International African Writers Day. The twelfth Africa Century International African Writers Conference will be held on the same day, celebrating the 33rd International African Writers’ Day and thirty years of democracy. The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, will deliver the keynote address.
Morakabe ‘Raks’ Seakhoa, the managing director of the wRite associates and the founding executive director of the SALAs, said:
‘A big thank you must go to the judging panel, from across all our country’s official languages and sixteen literary categories, who have read, analysed and finally reached consensus on which authors’ work makes the cut.
‘The 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.
‘SALA has always been a brave pioneering initiative, and the future will definitely inform our growth prospects. Having braved the fold, and with the foresighted and enterprising advisory board we have right now, a number of interventions are being explored, including considering rebranding some of the existing categories, expanding and adding others, for example women’s writing, writing by or for people living with disabilities in a variety of ways.’
2024 South African Literary Awards shortlists
Children’s Literature Award
Riana Scheepers – Saartjie die spinnekop met sewe bene
Roslynne Toerien – The Rumbling Rhino
Kwazi Ndlangisa – Vukani Kusile
Deidré Jantjies – Stories in die wind
First-Time Published Author Award
Tebello Mzamo – I Did Not Die
Mafika Jetro Mahlangu – Umrhayili
Bonga Matu – Thula Mama Thula: Big Girls don’t Cry
Sinethemba Simlindile Bhila – Hawu Mfundisi
Mbhazima Silence Baloyi – Ndzi khomeleni
Lwando Dlephu – Amava Ahlabahlosile
Constance Marry Mkomi – Zakwetfu
Nonceba Mabena – Isikhwebu
Beauty Maretsane Madihlabe – Ke tlo mo palediša
Youth Literature Award
Luke Calder – Rodentia: Mosela and the Three Kingdoms
Phiwokuhle Phiwe Dekisile – Umsinga Wothando
Kobate John Sekele – Ba Kwa Ka Letlalo
Nellie Alberts – Reg in die middel van nêrens
Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award
Jarred Thompson – The Institute for Creative Dying
Sihle Qwabe – The Resurrection
Poetry Award
Zihnziswa Nyokana – Ilizwi Lamazwi Wakho
Fhulufhelo Ntsieni – Rudzani
Rivalani Jonathan Ngomani – Sayense ya Vutlhokovetseri
Sithembele Isaac Xhegwana – Dark Lines of History
Sipho Banda – A Crowded Lonely Walk
Rudzani Eric Mmbengwa – Ngwedzamilambo
Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award
Carien Smith – Bot
Diane Awerbuck – Inside your body there are flowers
Dawn Garisch – What Remains
Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award
Sihle Khumalo – Milk the Beloved Country
Justin Fox – Place
David Moroke – Moyagoleele
Novel Award
Barry Gilder – At Fire Hour
Jabulane Johan Ncongwane – Lifa Letilima
Johan Vlok Louw – Sons of Mud
Sithembile Mputa – Unyana Wolahleko
SJ Naudé – Van vaders en vlugtelinge
Thivhusiwi Tshindane Tshivhula – U gidima hu fhirwa nga u tshimbila
Kabelo Duncan Kgatea – Tsamaya sentle ‘tata’ Mandela
Literary Translators Award
Karen Press – Pillage
Misokuhle Nyathikazi – Ntofo-Ntofo
Michiel Heyns – The Dao of Daniel
Moses Seletisha – Dithetosello le dithetotumišo
Vonani Bila – Khanimamba N’wantlhadyana na Mbila
Eben Venter – Decima
