Litnet

We are delighted to announce the 2025 Island Prize longlist for a debut novel by an African writer. The Island Prize is an annual competition held by Holland House Books. It offers both a small monetary reward and assistance in navigating the difficult world of the publishing industry, such as working on the winning manuscript with the author and assisting them in approaching agents and publishers.

"And having stayed in every Tuishuis in Market Street, I can tell you that no one – absolutely no one – could make a weathered old carpet look like a work of art on those sparkling Oregon pine floors as Sandra could."

The Commonwealth short story prize is awarded annually for the best piece of unpublished short fiction from any of the Commonwealth’s 56 Member States.

"The restored streetscape of Die Tuishuise and Victoria Manor Hotel is Cradock’s most recognisable tourism and heritage asset, along with the Great Fish River, the Mountain Zebra National Park and the gorgeous Moederkerk. It would never have happened without the love and passion of a local farming couple, Sandra and her husband Michael."

"If we mourn what needs to be mourned, we may find enough empathy to understand the legitimacy of calls for setting things in order that are based on natural justice. Only then, perhaps, we shall stop being angry with each other and begin healing from our historical traumas, and, per chance, even celebrate our history as part of our collective identity instead of as something that embarrasses us."

How do we know who we are? Upending the reader’s expectations of a memoir, Whyle then explores the violence and madness of apartheid society as the narrator passes through boarding school and university and takes his first steps to become a writer. ... At the end of history, on the shores of a blue bay, the voices of the past can be heard as we await the arrival of the barbarians – or the baboons, whoever comes first.

"Pastoral ornaments is more than an exhibition – it is an immersive experience. It captures the raw power and delicate balance of nature while reflecting the artist’s role as a shamanic figure, channelling energy into works that speak directly to our souls."

"But the main reason I do it is to see the joy on children’s faces. ... That unadulterated smaaail is because you’ve just gifted a young child a book. Entrance is free!"

"Vir Suid-Afrikaners bied 21 Voices ’n spieël vir hul eie verlede en ’n uitdaging vir die hede. Dit vra: Hoe kan ons, wat internasionale steun tydens apartheid ontvang het, nou solidêr wees met ander?"

Historical inequality affects entrepreneurship too. Knowledge and resources are still concentrated. Raymond Ledwaba is the founder and CEO of ITTHYNK Gaming and the co-founder of Diski Nine9. He successfully migrated from a career in banking to a life of entrepreneurship. Having not been exposed to a start-up environment, this was a plunge into the unknown. Read an excerpt here.

Die LitNet-redaksie nooi mense uit om vir ons te skryf oor dinge in die lewe wat gek is. Dit kan oor enigiets gaan: hoe absurd die prys van brood is, of hoe snaaks dit lyk as sekere mans snorre kweek, of watter regerings aan bewind is, of hoe vergesog dit is wat in verskillende wêrelddele aan die gang is – of net eenvoudig iets snaaks, ’n onverwagse of humoristiese staaltjie wat jy met die res van ons lesers wil deel. 

Do you sometimes worry that you have to choose a single career, discarding the bits of you that do not serve it? Read the useful tips Chantal Stewart has shared for sustaining creativity in the midst of a busy working life and let them feed your own creative fires.

Empatheatre’s electrifying and highly acclaimed Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater a one-woman show brought to life by Mpume Mthombeni and theatre-maker Neil Coppen, comes to the Baxter Flipside from 9 to 19 April 2025, at 19:30 with matinees at 14:00.

Penny Haw is bekend vir boeke wat sterk, interessante en onafhanklike vroue uitbeeld, met ’n ruim verkenning van die onderlinge verbondenheid van alles wat lewe. Dit is ons plesier om haar op 9 April in Jannie se Leeskamer te verwelkom vir die bekendstelling van haar derde historiese roman, Follow me to Africa. Sluit by ons aan vir hierdie bekroonde skrywer se gesprek met Eva Mazza.

The highly anticipated Tony Award-winning A doll’s house, part 2 with Bianca Amato and Zane Meas comes to the Baxter Studio from 16 April to 10 May.

"While apartheid in South Africa may have been banished, 'apartheid' – separateness – is seeking to stretch its hideous tendrils around the globe. We seem to be retreating into spaces too small, surrounding ourselves with those who are seemingly similar."

"Will you now share your space with all the great writers you so admired and loved."

You are invited to an exclusive launch of The lucky ones by Alistair Mackay at The Book Lounge in Cape Town on 8 April 2025. You’ll be able to get your hands on a copy before anyone else. Plus, you can get your book signed by the author, who will be in discussion with Kelly Smith.

"Drummers almost never ply their trade for just one project, and Jean is no different, but he made a choice long ago that music would be both muse and arbitrator of his reality."

"The loss of spaces designed to cultivate and encourage free expression is arguably the main reason for the decline of the spoken word community as a transformational literary force. But how did slam end up monopolising the spoken word scene?"