Sue Nyathi’s star is one that continues to keep on rising. The Zimbabwean author recently received yet another nomination for her latest novel, “An Angel’s Demise”.
The South African Literary Awards (SALA) announced their 2023 nominees this week and the author was shortlisted for the Novel Award. This comes as the 4th nomination for novel, with it having already won the Fiction Award at the Humanities & Social Sciences Awards in March this year.
An Angel’s Demise is an epic saga that explores a contested legacy and the heartrending destiny of a family. The year is 1977 and the story begins on a farm in Somabhula with the birth of Angel.
The farm is run by Paul Williams, an outwardly harsh and bigoted man who holds the livelihoods of many in his hands. When Angel’s parents join the liberation struggle, she is left in the care of her grandmothers, who have been in service to the Williams family for generations.
The 34-strong panel of judges of the South African Literary Awards (SALA) spent months rigorously reading, scrutinising, and scoring the over 200 books that answered to the Call for Submissions issued in November 2022. Following this exhaustive process of adjudication, 30 titles were selected for the shortlist out of 219 submissions.
The huge number and diversity of books submitted are a testimony to the amazing journey SALA has travelled since the inaugural ceremony held at the Durban International Convention Centre, Kwa-Zulu Natal, on the 5th March 2005, in honour of South Africa’s world-renowned scholar, author, eminent yet unsung poet of majestic epics and literary genius, Prof. Mazisi Kunene.
Here is the full shortlist of the 2023 SA Literary Awards:
Children’s Literature Award
Irene Berman – Flap! Rattle! Stomp!
Kabelo Kgatea – Tutu le Lulu
Molebatsi Bosilong – Montsane le Motho
Mr Philip de Vos – Tokkelossiebossie en ander dol gedoentes
Sinathi Mpukwana – Unakho
Claudette Browne Storrar – Nelly and Sam Thwala
First Time Published Award
Ayanda Chris Mntwapi – BOHLULWE KUKUSA
NTLORO CHARLOTTE PEBANE – LERATO LA LEPHEKO
Shevlyn Mottai – Across the Kala Pani
Zodwa Zondi – ALITJHINGI LINGANANDABA
Youth Literature Award
Annelie Ferreira – Dit het alles begin met ‘n hond
Dianne Stewart – Time of the Swallows
KOBATE JOHN SEKELE – MAKGOMA A DIHLONG
Onke Mazibuko – The Second Verse
Makwena Nkwana – Go tseba mang?
Mihlali Blackie – Ukuzazi Ukuzithemba Nokuzamkela
Sello Duiker Memorial Literary Award
Dimakatso David Mokwena – Here Comes the Gay King
Poetry Award
Vuyisile Msila – Yombela
Kaka Mokakale – Tswina ya poko
Anelisa Thengimfene – Amajingiqhiw’ entlalo
Michèle Betty – Dark Horse
Stephen Symons – Small Souls: New and Collected Poems
Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award
Terry-Ann Adams – White Chalk
Creative Non-Fiction Literary Award
Mandla J. Radebe – The Lost Prince of the ANC: The Life and Times of Jabulani Nobleman ‘Mzala’ Nxumalo
Siphiwo Mahala – Can Themba: The Making and Breaking of the Intellectual Tsotsi, a Biography
Literary Translators Award
N/A
Novel Award
Sipho Kekezwa – Intlungu yokuhlalwa lilahle emhlana
KOBATE JOHN SEKELE- RE HWILE LA PITSANA
Sue Nyathi – An Angel’s Demise
Thivhusiwi Tshindane Tshivhula – Hone Hu Tshi Tea U Maliwa Nga vhugai
Fred Khumalo – Two Tons O’ Fun
The 18th SALA Awards handover ceremony will take place on the 7th November 2023. Preceding the SALA Awards ceremony will be the 11th Africa Century International African Writers Conference (ACIAWC) running under the theme: “Decolonisation and Decoloniality: African Literary Return To The Source”.
Mr Ibrahima Aya, Timbuktu-born Malian author, editor, agronomist, co-founder and director of the four-day literary festival Rentrée littéraire du Mali, will deliver the 11th International African Writers’ Day Lecture.
Co-hosted with the JB Marks Local Municipality, both the SALA Awards hand-over ceremony and the Africa Century International African Writers Conference will take place at the Madiba Banquet Hall, Potchefstroom, North West Province.
