The winners of the 19th edition of South African Literary Awards (SALA) were announced at an awards ceremony on 7 November 2024 at the Ditsong Museum of Cultural History in Pretoria. A number of South African writers, translators and other literary practitioners across 16 categories were honoured for their work, including two of our very own writers – Sihle Qwabe and Deidré Jantjies.
Sihle Qwabe
Sihle Qwabe was born in a small village in KwaZulu-Natal and now lives in Johannesburg where he works in retail. He holds a diploma in public relations. In 2021 he was chosen as one of only four candidates to participate in the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s Bosberg Book Writing mentorship programme. The Resurrection is his first novel and on the 7th of November 2024 he was awarded the K. Sello Duiker Memorial Award for his novel.
The Resurrection by Sihle Qwabe
Victor Zulu has to take control of the family-owned club in which both his father and brother were killed. Will he be next? He’ll have to watch his back with gangsters coveting the club as a place to push drugs. Meanwhile, his brother’s best friend, Fana, wants to buy the club from the Zulus – but with what money? And then there’s Busie, his brother’s widow whom Victor secretly loves, but even she seems to have secrets. A thrilling tale of mystery and suspense, danger and daring.
Deidré Jantjies
Deidré Jantjies is a cultural activist passionate about the historical stories of women. She is the founder of Na Aap Productions and the author of the illustrated children’s book Stories in die Wind (2022), which is written in Nama and Afrikaans. An animated web series accompanies the book. Deidré was a participants in the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s Bosberg Book Writing mentorship progamme in 2020. On the 7th of November 2024 she was awarded the Children’s Literature Award for her novel, Stories in die wind.
Stories in die wind by Deidré Jantjies
Ten stories that the people of the the Richtersveld, Namakwaland and Kalahari would tell. Populated by animal, human and celestial characters: the sun, moon and stars. What will happen when Tortoise and Ostrich cross swords? Could Jackal and Lion hunt together; could they abide by their own rules? The people of Hoerikwaggo decide to trek to //Hui !Gaeb! The Gariep water spirit, and the stars give the old man stories, so he has a new one to tell every night.
Congratulations to both Sihle Qwabe and Deidré Jantjies! May your work continue to reach more and more people.
