The South African Literary Awards reached a milestone on November 11, 2025, honoring 49 writers, translators, and literary practitioners across 16 categories at the Roodepoort Theatre and Museum in Johannesburg. The ceremony, marking the awards’ 20th anniversary, drew over 200 guests to what has become known as the country’s literary “Oscars.”

Founded in 2005 by wRite associates in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, SALA has established itself as the nation’s premier platform for recognizing literary excellence across all 11 official languages. This year’s ceremony coincided with the 13th Africa Century International African Writers Conference, celebrating International African Writers’ Day.

The International African Writers’ Day Lecture was delivered by Professor Wangui wa Goro, a Kenyan academic, social critic, and translator based in the United Kingdom. Her address, titled “The Future of African Writing: The Transforming Landscapes, Enhancing the Mbokodo Narratives,” set the tone for the evening’s celebrations.

Below is the 2025 South African Literary Awards shortlist of winners and runners-up:

Children’s Literature Award 

  1. Kabelo Duncan Kgatea – Petleke ya Malemelagotlhe
  2. Phuti Seboni – Rakgolo Masoba
  3. Upile uThixo Bongco – Big shoes to fill

Runner-Up

  1. Nkateko Emily Mabasa – Celebrating Our Differences: Embracing My Superpowers

First-Time Published Author Award  

  1. Lebogang Seale – One Hundred Years of Dispossession: My family’s quest to reclaim our land
  2. Happy Gladness Simelane – Thandeka 

Runner-Up 

  1. Lungile ka Dlamini – And Give Us This Day Our Daily Hope 

Youth Literature Award 

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

Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award

Runner-Up 

  1. Lesedi Molefi – Patient 12A 

Poetry Award 

  1. Sizakele Nkosi – u Grand, Malume?
  2. Molebatsi Bosilong – Mosikaro
  3. Bafana Charles Peter – Umkhumezelo Umqulu 3
  4. Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi – Amagagasi Enjabulo
  5. Mosima Phakane – Go Ribega tša Masa
  6. Vutshila Mission Magaisa – Vutshila bya vutlhokovetseri

Runners-Up 

  1. Frank Meintjies – A place to night in
  2. M H Hlaka – Tau Ahlama
  3. Hlayiseka S Rikhotso – Nyika nkarhi, nkarhi
  4. Nombeko Nontshokweni – uNobuntu
  5. Muntomuhle Silindokuhle Mcambi – Ukufa Kwenono 

Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award 

  1. Raphashe Abram Lesufi – TEMOŠO SETŠHABENG
  2. Zaheera Jina Asvat – Tears of the Weaver
  3. Kwandile Hadebe – Ishumi 

Runner-Up 

  1. David Mann – Once Removed: Short Stories 

Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award 

  1. Maria Suriano – A Rare Gift To The Struggle: Ma Vesta Smith and The Everyday Politics of Liberation 

Runner-Up 

  1. Adekeye Adebajo – The Black Atlantic’s Triple Burden: Slavery, Colonialism, and Reparations 

Literary Translators Award 

  1. Moses Seletisha – Ke Rata Punky
  2. Sifiso Mzobe – Izinkabi: Yasho Inganono, Laphalala Igazi

Novel Award

  1. Bulelani Matshoba – Akwaba Ndandingambonanga
  2. KOBATE JOHN SEKELE – DITLHOKA TŠA BAGADITŠONG
  3. Barbara Boswell – The Comrade’s Wife
  4. Musa Aubrey Baloyi – Xilondza Xa Le Nhompfini

Runner-Up 

  1. Nick Clelland – Good Hope

Mandlakayise Mfanta- Ing’iyayikhotha Kanti Iyayixathula

Posthumous Literary Award

  1. Magema Magwaza Fuze – Body of Work
  2. Molema Mokae – Body of Work
  3. Mbongeni Ngema – Body of Work
  4. Joan Baker – Body of Work
  5. Donald Parenzee – Body of Work
  6. Juby Mayet – Body of Work
  7. Matsemela Manaka- Body of Work]
  8. Maishe Maponya – Body of Work
  9. Breyten Breytenbach – Body of Work
  10. Mohlomi Moleleki – Body of Work
  11. Colin Smuts – Body of Work

Chairperson’s Literary Award

 Mzwakhe Mbuli – Body of Work

Lifetime Achievement Award

  1. John Kani – Body of Work
  2. Mavis Smallberg – Body of Work