Litnet

There is no shortage of good advice, personal finance books and well-worn practices, so the question is: Why can’t people change? We know what to do, but then inexplicably don’t seem to do it. What keeps tripping us up? Many of our money troubles are caused by behavioural traps that keep us locked in a cycle. The book contains real-life case studies of people who overcame financial difficulties and highlights the small steps they took to change the course of their lives. No matter what your income level or financial background, this book is tailored to help everyone.

There’s captivating music and even a Pulitzer Prize-nominee for the June programme at The Drama Factory: "Love Letters is a wonderful, funny and moving play which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Our music extravaganza this month includes Guitar Heroes with Mel Botes, celebrating the music of iconic guitar heroes. Also don’t miss Franky Jones’ beautiful tribute to legendary singer Edith Piaf in Edith Piaf, the untold story."

"This novel, the first in a trilogy, sets the stage for an exciting and thrillingly heroic tale of love and loss, family relationships and the consequences of war – both glorious and not."

"In examining the legal framework surrounding self-defence, it is evident that a state cannot assert this right when facing a threat from an armed group within an occupied territory, especially where that territory is kept under belligerent occupation."

Alistair MacKay’s novel The child will be launched at Love Books in Melville on 23 May, in conversation with Charles Leonard, and at Bridge Books in Brixton on 28 May, in conversation with Griffin Shea.

"As is often the case with any bureaucratised system, the human is supplanted by numerical representation. For healthcare, one needs money." Emelia Steenekamp writes about her experience of private and public healthcare in South Africa, Canada and South Korea.

"The reason behind my accordion playing is solely based on my love for sounds and music in general; it gives me an outlet to express myself, and it gets me into a realm/space I can’t explain in words, but which brings peace and excitement to my heart."

"This is a timeous book, one that I believe everyone capable of understanding English should read."

The Otto Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Otto Foundation children’s book award. | Die Otto Stigting kondig met trots om ’n nuwe jaarlikse kinderboektoekenning aan.

"Mhlongo, through the character of Mangi, loves Johannesburg with the insane and obsessive love of a jilted lover."

"As an author, I am constantly asked for PDF versions of my books. Sure, go ahead and help yourself; I mean, it’s not like I paid a proofreader, paid a designer and sourced the rights to use the artwork on the covers. Sure, go ahead and have a PDF copy on WhatsApp. And cast it as far as mistletoe throughout your entire village, so everyone can read my book while I never benefit a dime off it."

Oude Leeskamer is proud to announce the launch of The near north by the award-winning Ivan Vladislavić on 21 May 2024 at 18:00. He will be joined by Justin Fox, whose Place: South African literary journeys has recently enjoyed a fifth print run. Skrywersaand host Jonathan Amid will lead the discussion.

Elections are looming. Herman Mashaba (ActionSA) tells Freek Robinson how ActionSA would fix a country that is falling apart.

"Not only does Zuma challenge the ANC politically, but he also claims its heritage."

"Thirty years of democracy has eased the strained relations between the races of the apartheid years. There is a spontaneity, humour and verve in public life, in the shops and eateries, which is very refreshing to any outside visitor."

Poets or their publishers are invited to submit entries for the Ingrid Jonker Prize for English poetry in 2024. The closing date for submissions is 20 June 2024.

"Even the water sector reform after the political transition of 1994 has largely stuck to the direct municipal WSS delivery model from the apartheid era. A major difference, though, is that post-apartheid municipalities took on responsibility for service delivery in areas that had never been as well connected and managed as the previous white-only areas. This still hinders the bridging of these gaps."

The choir ensemble Voces Cordis comprises 75 talented and dedicated young adults from all over the Western Cape who share a passion for choral music and singing. Under the direction of the acclaimed choral conductor André van der Merwe, the choir will return to Stellenbosch for its first gala performance of 2024 on Friday, 24 May as part of the Endler Concert Series.

"It is morally, ethically and democratically wrong to exclude the voices of people who live on the margins, to speak for them. Trans and gender-diverse identities and lives are undeniable; to deny them is to rewrite history and to engage in behaviour which is bullying and abusive."