Litnet

"I highly recommend this valuable text, the worth and interest of which I hope the above review has given some indication."

"A person my colour is by no means easy, but it is important. Apart from the ill-conceived introduction, which ought to have been a reflection at the end, the narrative is stylish and gripping."

"The book is by no means a hero-worshipping publication, and the oppression of black South Africans by the Union government forms an important part of the book. It is a fresh appraisal of Botha, but even this bold attempt will, I believe, not stir any long-term interest in the former prime minister."

"The Amazwi South African Museum of Literature's new identity and vision was unveiled by the National Department of Arts and Culture in Makhanda, at a ceremony which also marked the official opening of its new custom-built, state-of-the-art museum complex."

"It is quite a bold move on the part of the author to make claims such as the ones he makes. The book more than raises the eyebrows, as false claims would certainly land the author in hot water. However if there is any truth to these claims, it would mean that the ruling ANC is in really deep trouble as a party – and not only the ANC, but the country as a whole."

"Plate features a truly sublime collection of 86 appetising main courses with a continental influence. Divided into three chapters – on meat, poultry and seafood – the hand-picked recipes look every bit as scrumptious as they taste."

"Featherstream is a successful first novel. It is written with great care and attention to detail, and has an unusual and credible plot. It is a compelling and readable thriller which convincingly brings to life the Cape of 80 years ago."

Shaka Rising: A Legend of the Warrior Prince has been named a 2019 Honor Book by the Children’s Africana Book Awards. Luke Molver, the illustrator and co-author, will attend the award ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington, DC.

The book will be launched in Cape Town on 16 May and James-Brent Styan will be in conversation with the author.

"Carsten Rasch’s Between rock & a hard place is a worthy and immensely readable addition to the canon."

"Identity is explored racially, sexually, physically, culturally and linguistically. The reader observes how the major characters navigate these issues, as they respond to the events that challenge them and bring these issues to light."

The book will be launched in Johannesburg on 9 May and Peter Bruce will be in conversation with the author.

"It is a mature and impressive novel, and one which many readers are likely to revisit in their memories or by rereading the text."

"I would recommend reading it for your own understanding of how sexuality and sexual expression are not uniform across communities, and that it’s alright that we are not a homogeneous species."

Pieter-Louis Myburgh’s Gangster State: Unravelling Ace Magashule’s Web of Capture was recently launched at the CapeTalk (and Kfm) studios, Cape Town. Myburgh was interviewed by Adriaan Basson.

"The Bill erodes copyright protection. It makes it impossible for creators of academic work to protect their legitimate interests, such as being remunerated for their work and having their work’s integrity respected."

Hermann Giliomee's The rise and demise of the Afrikaners was recently launched at Exclusive Books Stellenbosch. Giliomee was interviewed by Albert Grundlingh.

"This literary festival, perhaps the most relaxed of the scores that take place in Australia every year, sprawls across a park in the city centre. It’s hard to resist its charm. And, this year, it’s pleasing to note that, over and above the Coetzee-Van Niekerk hour, there is a strong African presence."

National reading-for-enjoyment campaign, Nal’ibali, is launching a loyalty programme for South Africans committed to making a difference in children’s reading development. Known as FUNda Sonke, isiXhosa for ‘everyone read’, the programme seeks to grow and support the campaign’s network of more than 17 000 literacy volunteers, known as FUNda Leaders, nationwide.

"The biographical nature of both poetry and painting in Breyten Breytenbach’s work is less an indulgence than a subjective witnessing of both personal and world history."