The South African Literary Awards (SALA) has announced the shortlist for its 20th edition, following adjudication by a 33-strong panel of judges across the country’s official languages.

The winners and runners-up will be honored at a ceremony on November 11, 2025, at the Roodepoort Theatre and Museum in Florida Park. The ceremony will be preceded by the 13th Africa Century International African Writers Conference, celebrating the 34th International African Writers’ Day and 31 years of South Africa’s freedom and democracy.

“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, analysed and finally reached consensus on which authors’ work make the cut,” said Morakabe Raks Seakhoa, Managing Director of the wRite associates and SALA’s founding Executive Director.

SALA recognizes contributions across 16 categories including the Children’s Literature Award, Youth Literature Award, First-Time Published Author Award, k.Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award, Poetry Award, Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award, Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award, Literary Translators Award, Novel Award, and various Poet Laureate prizes.

Founded in 2005 by the wRite associates, SALA has previously recognized luminaries including poets laureate Mazisi Kunene, Mongane Wally Serote, Keorapetse Kgositsile, Nobel Laureate Nadine Gordimer, Lauretta Ngcobo, Miriam Tlali, and Barbara Masekela.

2025 SALA Shortlist:

Children’s Literature Award

  • Nkateko Emily Mabasa – Celebrating Our Differences: Embracing My Superpowers
  • Kabelo Duncan Kgatea – Petleke ya Malemelagotlhe
  • Phuti Seboni – Rakgolo Masoba
  • Upile uThixo Bongco – Big shoes to fill

Youth Literature Award

  • Kobate John Sekele – Sejamosela se fetetša noka
  • Seakgwe Phalatse – Menomasweu
  • Vusi Makhoba – Mhlawumbe Ngale Kwethuna
  • Tiah Marie Beautement – A Tale of Many Tangents

First-Time Published Author Award

  • Lebogang Seale – One Hundred Years of Dispossession: My family’s quest to reclaim our land
  • Happy Gladness Simelane – Thandeka
  • Lungile ka Dlamini – And Give Us This Day Our Daily Hope

k. Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award

  • Lesedi Molefi – Patient 12A

Poetry Award

  • Frank Meintjies – A place to night in
  • Sizakele Nkosi – u Grand, Malume?
  • Molebatsi Bosilong – Mosikaro
  • M H Hlaka – Tau Ahlama
  • Bafana Charles Peter – Umkhumezelo Umqulu 3
  • Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi – Ukufa Kwenono
  • Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi – Amagagasi Enjabulo
  • Mosima Phakane – Go Ribega tša Masa
  • Hlayiseka S Rikhotso – Nyika nkarhi, nkarhi
  • Vutshila Mission Magaisa – Vutshila bya vutlhokovetseri
  • Nombeko Nontshokweni – uNobuntu

Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award

  • Maria Suriano – A Rare Gift To The Struggle: Ma Vesta Smith and The Everyday Politics of Liberation
  • Adekeye Adebajo – The Black Atlantic’s Triple Burden: Slavery, Colonialism, and Reparations

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award

  • Raphashe Abram Lesufi – Temošo Setšhabeng
  • Zaheera Jina Asvat – Tears of the Weaver
  • David Mann – Once Removed: Short Stories
  • Kwandile Hadebe – Ishumi

Literary Translators Award

  • Moses Seletisha – Ke Rata Punky
  • Sifiso Mzobe – Izinkabi: Yasho Inganono, Laphalala Igazi

Novel Award

  • Bulelani Matshoba – Akwaba Ndandingambonanga
  • Kobate John Sekele – Ditlhoka Tša Bagaditšong
  • Barbara Boswell – The Comrade’s Wife
  • Nick Clelland – Good Hope
  • Musa Aubrey Baloyi – Xilondza Xa Le Nhompfini
  • Mandlakayise Mfanta – Ing’iyayikhotha Kanti Iyayixathula

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors!