Latest articles on African Literature

On language, power and privilege in tertiary education

Education Mandla Makhanya - 9 Jul 2020

Advocates of retaining Afrikaans as a language of instruction are blind to their own prejudices

Five must-read books by Ghanaian writers

Friday Sylvia Arthur - 3 Jul 2020

Sylvia Arthur, the founder of the Library of African and the African Diaspora in Accra, selects five works by her favourite Ghanaian authors

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Meet the founder of Accra’s one-woman library

Friday Theresa Mallinson - 3 Jul 2020

Sylvia Arthur founded the Library for Africa and the African Diaspora to house her collection and share it with other readers

Afrolit Sans Frontières: Stories and writers in the comfort of your living room

Article Kwanele Sosibo - 23 Mar 2020

Zukiswa Wanner has organised a virtual literary festival, from March 23 to 30, to help readers and writers struggling with self-isolation

Achieving the litmus test of social relevance

Article Staff Reporter - 24 Feb 2020

The HSS Awards honours scholarly works based on their social relevance and contribution to the humanities and social sciences

Humanities Awards 2020 Long List Collection Inspiring …

Article Anele Ngcoya - 20 Dec 2019

Activists, poet and animals are explored in fascinating detail

Historical novel tests notion of nation

Article Lily Saint - 22 Nov 2019

The past explains the present but not the future because ‘that tiny chaos’ makes the future opaque

The Portfolio: Khulile Nxumal

Article Khulile Nxumalo - 25 Oct 2019

"Writing poetry requires you to reach a level of clarity and enjoyment of your voice."

Vignettes on our lives and dreams

Article Theresa Mallinson - 2 Aug 2019

The Jamaican-Nigerian writer explores living between cultures in her first short story collection

The science of writing fiction

Article Zaza Hlalethwa - 26 Jul 2019

Masande Ntshanga uses his imagination to create plausible relationships in his genre-bending novels

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Jo’burg festival shines literary light on the youth

Article Suraya Dadoo - 19 Jul 2019

Although book festivals are generally perceived as adult events, this one is family-centred and includes specific programmes for children.

Binyavanga Wainaina dies, aged 48

Article Aaisha Dadi Patel - 22 May 2019

The Kenyan writer and activist died on Tuesday night after suffering a stroke

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Book fair turns the page for literature in Somaliland

Africa Staff Reporter - 24 Jul 2018

The book fair has been a key factor in Somaliland's embrace of literature

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Another Nigerian star emerges

Article Idowu Omoyele - 17 Nov 2017

Ayòbámi Adébáyò summons Yoruba folklore and a longstanding literary tradition in her debut novel

The President’s Keepers and state capture: black intellectualism needs to focus

Article Staff Reporter - 15 Nov 2017

South Africa has an undernourished literary tradition, where even among the sophisticated one may find confusion over written work and writers.

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