Litnet

"Everything is spiraling, feathery"

Colour me yellow by Thuli Nhlapo was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Alan Paton award 2018. Join the celebration on 2 June in Newtown, Johannesburg.

"Following a geographical point of departure, Afrikaans is an African language that originated here and reflects the name of the continent (the only language in Africa having this characteristic)."

"Instead of exploring new ideas, new fertile ground, the familiar Star wars concepts were simply reused."

"As well as being open to entries translated into English from any language, it is the only literary prize in the world where entries can be submitted in Bengali, Chinese, Malay, Portuguese, Samoan, Swahili, and Tamil."

A discourse about this book will take place at the Stellenbosch University Museum on 31 May 2018. 

"He feels the warmth of the old man’s arm around his shoulders, and then the pat on his back. 'I know. The world can be a terrible place. We won’t be able to change that. But, you are prepared for it – as much as anyone can be. You will be okay if you use what you have to make it better.'"

Sindiswa Busuku-Mathese’s debut collection of poetry, Loud and yellow laughter, published by Botsotso, is the winner of the 2018 Ingrid Jonker prize for poetry. The Ingrid Jonker Prize is awarded in alternate years to the best debut collection in English or Afrikaans.

"The shortlist for the 2018 Caine Prize for African Writing has been announced, showcasing a diversity of themes and a wealth of literary talent."

Here is the six-strong shortlist for the 2018 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, Best Published Novel.

"The project, aimed at increasing access to books, is the second in a series of planned free miniature libraries across Johannesburg to promote reading and improve literacy."

"To me, they [the images] are a portal to a world I can never visit. They are also a recording of our history, a barometer of the time. In some ways, I hoped the show would take the viewers out of their current lives, away from the current political climate, and perhaps remind them of what we overcame as a people."

"These stories and histories, tales of yesteryear and today, reflections of our own individual past and present, are adding to the much-needed conversation that we have to start to get things right."

"Encouragingly, we can learn from some successful experiences in this field right here on Cape Town’s doorstep. The first is Windhoek, which has been making use of recycled water for some 50 years now, and has become a world leader in this practice."

"[T]hroughout the volume, a wide range of subjects and diverse techniques are skilfully interwoven with a broad spectrum of emotions and finely tuned diction."

"She knows in advance to prepare herself. She doesn’t know the face of the person she is going to speak to. Anyway, they’re anonymous. This suits her personality."

4–6 May 2018 at Cape Town’s CTICC 2: "Cape Town is a melting pot of diverse cultures and traditions. We believe the Cape Town Ramadaan & Lifestyle Expo presents a unique opportunity for the bringing together of different denominations and cultures."

"While the Afro-Brazilian connection through transportation of enslaved West Africans to Bahía and other ports and parts of the 'New World' is well known, this novel does the unusual thing of depicting the return of one such (former) slave to the Yoruba region of her family origins."

"Tully is an honest, often very funny look at parenthood, at the lies parents tell themselves to stay sane, and at the reasons why they should perhaps start telling the truth."

"If you love books and are hosting a book club evening where you also want to treat your guests to a culinary feast, look no further than this delightful cookbook by Louise Gelderblom."