English
Afrikaans
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Spanish
September is Heritage Month in South Africa. At this time of year, we get to celebrate all of the diverse cultures, traditions and history that make up South Africa. A hugely rich aspect of South African culture is literature. Our country has been blessed with incredible minds and writing talents, past and present! Walking into almost any bookshop across South Africa, you’ll no doubt come across bold and eye-catching displays dedicated to South African authors and books about the country.
To combine our love for great books and our home country, we have compiled a list of our top
South African books. Whether you’re in the mood for an autobiography, historical fiction, crime thrillers or contemporary fiction - you’re in luck! The list covers a variety of genres by authors from various backgrounds.
These are our favourite seven books written by South African authors:
1. Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela’s autobiography is described as “moving and exhilarating” and is arguably one of the best-known memoirs in the world! In Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela recounts the story of his life and the struggle against apartheid and racial discrimination in South Africa.
The book was first released in 1994, following his historic Nobel Peace Prize win and shortly before he was inaugurated as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. The autobiography recounts his youth in the Eastern Cape, his days as a young law student in Johannesburg, his years in the ANC and the founding of its Youth League in the 50s, the notorious Rivonia Trial in the 60s and his 27 years spent in prison.
It’s a riveting read, written with elegant prose, that provides the “ultimate inside look” into the late former president’s life.
2. Born a Crime, Trevor Noah
Another fantastic memoir, Born a Crime illustrates the life and success of one of South Africa’s most famous talents - comedian Trevor Noah. Currently, Noah is the host of The Daily Show in the USA. The program allows him to flex his comedic skills, combined with social commentary and celebrity interviews on a regular basis. But Noah didn’t simply arrive in this famous position! The South African comedian has had a “colourful” life to say the least. Noah was literally born a crime, with a black isiXhosa mother and a white Swiss father, at a time when interracial unions such as that were punishable by prison time. He details his youth growing up during apartheids’ final years and shares stories peppered with hilarious moments and incredible insight into growing up as a mixed-race child in South Africa at that time. Ultimately, the book is a love letter to his formidable mother who was fearless in her determination to raise her son in a country where he wasn’t supposed to exist.
Crack open Born a Crime and learn more about this hilarious, sharp, insightful South African comedian.
3. Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton
The first fiction addition to this list is the well-known Cry, the Beloved Country. This novel was published in 1948 and provided a portrait of a divided society in post-colonial South Africa (and was written in the build-up to the implementation of the apartheid regime). It has been studied in schools and universities in South Africa over many years and features on many lists when you search for “famous South African books”.
Cry, the Beloved Country is the story of Reverend Stephen Kumalo from the village of
Ndotsheni in Natal, who travels to Johannesburg at the request of a fellow priest to aid his sister who has fallen on tough times. Reverend Kumalo is also on the search for his son Absalom. The story also features James Jarvis - a white man who is the father of Arthur Jarvis, a white advocate for racial justice, who has been murdered. Reverend Kumalo and Jarvis cross paths, both in Johannesburg and in Ndotsheni. During the search, the book sheds light on the growing divisions and racial tensions brewing in South Africa as well as generational disparities in a country about to enter the most harrowing and turbulent era in its history.
Now a South African classic, Cry, the Beloved Country has come to be an essential read for South African and international readers alike.
4. The Promise, Damon Galgut
The Promise is the story of a dysfunctional (and oftentimes bigoted) white South African family living on a farm outside Pretoria. The story begins in the late 80s and spans three decades while following the Swart family as they deal with more than one failed promise. The acclaimed novel won the Booker Prize in 2021. Told from multiple points of view, the book is split into four sections, each centred around the funeral of a family member.
Galgut’s writing in this novel is often described as “swooping” as he shifts character perspectives from chapter to chapter, and even in between paragraphs and sentences. The omnipresent narrator also gets a say at times in the story. It’s bound to be an intriguing read, filled with observations of prejudice, historic events and South Africa’s changing social landscapes.
If you’re in the mood to dive into an award-winning novel, give The Promise a go.
5. Ways of Dying, Zakes Mda
Zakes Mda is an award-winning South African novelist, poet and playwright. His writing has brought South African stories to the page and the stage around the world.
Ways of Dying follows the tale of professional mourner Toloki who makes a living by attending funerals around his township. Toloki encounters a childhood friend who has recently suffered a loss and the two renew their friendship by recounting the harrowing events of their lives and, in the process, help each other to heal. Mda’s writing is often darkly humorous and illustrates the state of poverty, crime and violence in “the new” South Africa.
Following its release in 1995, the book has become a hit in South Africa and has even been adapted into a jazz opera. The book is short yet packs a powerful punch making it a great option for anyone looking for an affecting read that has pages filled with honesty and tragedy but also offers moments of laughter. It’s a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, even when the odds feel stacked against our protagonist.
6. Coconut, Kopano Matlwa
Coconut is the story of a black child growing up in a white world. Narrated from a young teenager’s point of view as she grows up, the novel deals with black youth growing up in white neighbourhoods in modern Johannesburg and looks at how the goal of fitting in can come at the cost of one’s identity and blackness.
Described as an “audacious, lyrical and compassionate tale” Coconut will surely keep you riveted. Matlwa’s acclaimed debut novel won many accolades including the Dinaane Debut Fiction Award and the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa! This is another excellent award-winning South African addition to your bookshelf.
7. Various Books, Deon Meyer
Finally on the list, is Deon Meyer’s extensive collection of books. Meyer is a South African crime and thriller novelist whose name will no doubt be splashed across several shelves in any bookshop you walk into in South Africa! The plots of his stories centre around cops who are flawed but empathetic characters (several books follow the escapades of Detective Inspector Bennie Griessel) with the plots set in recognisable South African destinations including Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, the Karoo, Limpopo and more. Excitingly, his novel Trackers has recently been adapted into a TV series!
Meyer writes in Afrikaans with his books being published in English too. His novels, including
Devils’ Peak, Icarus, and The Dark Flood, have been translated and published in German, French and Dutch and many more languages in 40 countries around the world. His books are an excellent option for anyone looking for a riveting South African thriller to keep them captivated!
As South Africa’s Heritage Month comes to an end, we hope this list inspires you to read one of these page-turners written by acclaimed South African novelists. Happy reading!
