MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release: 17/10/2023
Issued by: wRite associates
Announcement of the Shortlisted Nominees of the S.A Literary Awards 2023
The 34-strong panel of judges of the South African Literary Awards (SALA) spent months rigorously reading, scrutinising, and scoring the over 200 books that answered to the Call for Submissions issued in November 2022.
Following this exhaustive process of adjudication, the South African Literary Awards (SALA) is proud to announce the short list for 2023 edition.
The huge number and diversity of books submitted are a testimony to the amazing journey SALA has travelled since the inaugural ceremony held at the Durban International Convention Centre, Kwa-Zulu Natal, on the 5th March 2005, in honour of South Africa’s world-renowned scholar, author, eminent yet unsung poet of majestic epics and literary genius, Prof. Mazisi Kunene.
Out of the 219 submissions received, 30 titles made it to the shortlist, under the following categories and languages:
Children’s Literature Award
1. Sinathi Mpukwana –Unakho
2. Irene Berman- Flap! Rattle! Stomp!
3. Kabelo Kgatea- Tutu le Lulu
4. Molebatsi Bosilong- Montsane le Motho
5. Mr Philip de Vos – Tokkelossiebossie en ander dol gedoentes
6. Claudette Browne Storrar – Nelly and Sam Thwala
First Time Published Award
1. Ayanda Chris Mntwapi – BOHLULWE KUKUSA
2. NTLORO CHARLOTTE PEBANE – LERATO LA LEPHEKO
3. Shevlyn Mottai – Across the Kala Pani
4. Zodwa Zondi – ALITJHINGI LINGANANDABA
Youth Literature Award
1. Annelie Ferreira- Dit het alles begin met ‘n hond
2. Dianne Stewart -Time of the Swallows
3. KOBATE JOHN SEKELE- MAKGOMA A DIHLONG
4. Onke Mazibuko- The Second Verse
5. Makwena Nkwana- Go tseba mang?
6. Mihlali Blackie -Ukuzazi Ukuzithemba Nokuzamkela
k. Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award
1. Dimakatso David Mokwena – Here Comes the Gay King
Poetry Award
1. Vuyisile Msila – Yombela
2. Kaka Mokakale – Tswina ya poko
3. Anelisa Thengimfene – Amajingiqhiw’ entlalo
4. Michèle Betty – Dark Horse
5. Stephen Symons – Small Souls: New and Collected Poems
Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award
1. Terry-Ann Adams – White Chalk
Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award
1. Mandla J. Radebe – The Lost Prince of the ANC: The Life and Times of Jabulani
Nobleman ‘Mzala’ Nxumalo
2. Siphiwo Mahala – Can Themba: The Making and Breaking of the Intellectual Tsotsi, a Biography
Literary Translators Award
N/A
Novel Award
1. Sipho Kekezwa – Intlungu yokuhlalwa lilahle emhlana
2. KOBATE JOHN SEKELE- RE HWILE LA PITSANA
3. Sue Nyathi – An Angel’s Demise
4. Thivhusiwi Tshindane Tshivhula – Hone Hu Tshi Tea U Maliwa Nga vhugai
5. Fred Khumalo – Two Tons O’ Fun
The 18th SALA Awards handover ceremony will take place on 7th November 2023.
Preceding the SALA Awards ceremony will be the 11th Africa Century International African Writers Conference (ACIAWC),11H00 to 17H00 under the theme: Decolonisation and Decoloniality: African Literary Return To The Source
Mr Ibrahima Aya, Timbuktu-born Malian author, editor, agronomist, co-founder and director of the four-day literary festival Rentrée littéraire du Mali, will deliver the 11th International African Writers’ Day Lecture..
The SALA Awards ceremony will follow at 19H00.
Co-hosted with the JB Marks Local Municipality, both the SALA Awards hand-over ceremony and the Africa Century International African Writers Conference will take place at the Madiba Banquet Hall, Potchefstroom, North West Province
For more information, please visit www.sala.org.za and www.africacenturyconference.co.za
Inquiries:
The wRite associates – info@writeassociates.co.za