The shortlist for the 19th South African Literary Awards (SALA) has been announced. Over 30 authors are on the list, and their work represent a wide array of languages and genres, affirming the country’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage.

A panel of 30 judges, representing South Africa’s 11 official languages, selected the finalists after a rigorous process of reading and evaluation.

Morakabe Raks Seakhoa, Managing Director of the wRite associates and SALA’s founding Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the judges’ dedication: “A big thank you must go to the judging panel, from across all our country’s official languages and 16 literary categories, who have read, analyzed and finally reached consensus on which authors’ work make the cut.”

The awards ceremony will be held on 7 November 2024 at the Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History in Tshwane. SALA, now in its 19th year, is a major platform for celebrating the achievements of writers, poets, translators, and other literary figures. This year’s awards will coincide with the 12th Africa Century International African Writers Conference, which celebrates the 33rd International African Writers’ Day and 30 years of South Africa’s democracy.

Below is the full list of shortlisted works and authors for the 2024 South African Literary Awards.

Children’s Literature Award

  • Saartjie die spinnekop met sewe bene by Riana Scheepers
  • The Rumbling Rhino by Roslynne Toerien
  • Vukani Kusile by Kwazi Ndlangisa
  • Stories in die wind by Deidré Jantjies

 

First-Time Published Author Award

  • I Did Not Die by Tebello Mzamo
  • Umrhayili by Mafika Jetro Mahlangu
  • Big Girls don’t Cry by Bonga Matu – Thula Mama Thula
  • Hawu Mfundisi by Sinethemba Simlindile Bhila
  • Ndzi khomeleni by Mbhazima Silence Baloyi
  • AMAVA AHLABAHLOSILE by Lwando Dlephu
  • Zakwetfu by Constance Marry Mkomi
  • Isikhwebu by Nonceba Mabena
  • Ke tlo mo paledisa by Beauty Maretsane Madihlabe

 

Youth Literature Award

  • Rodentia by Luke Calder
  • Umsinga Wothando by Phiwokuhle Phiwe Dekisile
  • Ba Kwa Ka Letlalo by Kobate John Sekele
  • Reg in die middel van nêrens by Nellie Alberts

 

Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award

  • The Institute for Creative Dying by Jarred Thompson
  • The Resurrection by Sihle Qwabe

 

Poetry Award

  • ILIZWI LAMAZWI WAKHO by Zihnziswa Nyokana
  • Rudzani by Fhulufhelo Ntsieni
  • Sayense ya Vutlhokovetseri by Rivalani Jonathan Ngomani
  • Dark lines of history: poems by Sithembele Isaac Xhegwana
  • A Crowded Lonely Walk by Sipho Banda
  • Ngwedzamilambo by Rudzani Eric Mmbengwa

 

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award

  • Bot by Carien Smith
  • Inside your body there are flowers by Diane Awerbuck
  • What Remains by Dawn Garisch

 

Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award

  • Milk the Beloved Country by Sihle Khumalo
  • Place by Justin Fox
  • Moyagoleele by David Moroke

 

Novel Award

  •  At Fire Hour by Barry Gilder
  • Lifa Letilima by Jabulane Johan Ncongwane
  • Sons of Mud by Johan Vlok Louw
  • Unyana Wolahleko by Sithembile Mputa
  • Van vaders en vlugtelinge by SJ Naudé
  • U Gidima Hu Fhirwa Nga U Tshimbila by Thivhusiwi Tshindane Tshivhula
  • Tsamaya sentle ‘tata’ Mandela by Kabelo Duncan Kgatea

 

Literary Translators Award

  • Pillage by Karen Press
  • Ntofo-Ntofo by Misokuhle Nyathikazi
  • THE DAO OF DANIEL by Michiel Heyns
  • Dithetosello le dithetotumišo by Moses Seletisha
  • Khanimamba N’wantlhadyana na Mbila by Vonani Bila
  • Decima by Eben Venter

 

The SALA Awards ceremony will take place on November 7, at which the winners will be announced!

For more information about SALA and the upcoming ceremony, go here!

Congrats to the shortlisted writers!