Kwela Books, an imprint of NB Publishers, is delighted to announce that they will be publishing a new novel from acclaimed author Zakes Mda later this year.
The Sculptors of Mapungubwe, Mda’s first novel since 2009, will be published in October 2013. The narrative centres on the timeless kingdom of Mapungubwe where the royal sculptor has two heirs, Chata and Rendani. As they grow, their rivalry intensifies and this enmity underpins an irresistibly rich fable of love and family.
Zakes Mda, notable South African novelist, poet and playwright of more than 20 works, has won numerous literary awards in South Africa and the United States of America. He has studied in Lesotho, South Africa and the USA and is a founding member of the African Writers Trust, an initiative that aims to bring together African writers.
Mda, who is based in the United States, where he is currently Professor of English at Ohio University, said: "I feel greatly honored that my next novel, The Sculptors of Mapungubwe, has found a home with Kwela, a publishing house that has been at the forefront of promoting South African writing in the last twenty years."
Kwela Books specialises in African writing and has a publishing stable of award-winning authors, including Finuala Dowling, winner of the 2012 MNet Award, Sifiso Mzobe, Anne Landsman and Rayda Jacobs – all Sunday Times Literary Award winners.
James Woodhouse, Publisher at Kwela, said: “We are, of course, delighted that Zakes Mda has chosen to publish The Sculptors of Mapungubwe with us here at Kwela. The novel is an extraordinary work of imagination, which will resonate with readers of all of ages – a simply wonderful piece of work from one of the guiding lights of South African literature.”