Fashioning Modern Africanism

Jacana Media is delighted to announce the publication of a ground breaking South African work by Welcome Mandla Lishivha.  ‘BOY ON THE RUN IS TOUGH AND FRAGILE, TRAGIC AND RESILIENT, AND UTTERLY COMPELLING. WELCOME LISHIVHA HAS BROKEN NEW GROUND IN SOUTH AFRICAN LITERATURE, IN THE VOICE HE FINDS – AND THE STORIES HE TELLS – ABOUT GROWING UP POOR, AND QUEER, AND LOVED, IN A SOUTH AFRICAN TOWNSHIP. IT IS DESTINED TO BE A CLASSIC.’ – MARK GEVISSER Living in Soshanguve as a young boy with an adored and adoring mum, Welcome’s life almost stops when his mum is murdered by her new boyfriend. The upturned chair, his mum’s lifeless face, the blood on the floor, the glasses with the gold detail that Welcome had taken from a precious cupboard, the boyfriend’s body; it was a tableau that was impossible to unsee. But this is only the beginning of a journey which takes Lishivha through school and university, with the help of his remaining family, and allows him to explore South Africa.  Through stud

Sarah Bullen is an author, storyteller and writing coach with a unique brand of humour and heart. She is a former journalist and magazine editor. Her books include Hey Baby! The Hip New Mom's Guide That's All About You and Write your Book in 100 Days! Stop Mucking About & Just Write. In this new installment, Journalist Sarah Bullen and her filmmaker husband Llewellyn seemed like a golden couple, with wildly successful careers. Then Llewellyn realises that what he'd thought were entranced moments were in fact symptoms of a brain tumour. He pursues a shamanic path to fight the cancer and the couple are catapulted into a strange, magical world of ritual and ceremony. Alongside hospitals, surgery and treatments comes another wilder journey of spiritual searching. Then Sarah too falls ill. While in a four-week coma, Sarah travels through near-death and into other realms and worlds. She comes back with a message and a spark to follow which becomes a roadmap to allow her to wr

Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida can now add the title of author to her impressive list of achievements. Musida has written a children’s book –  Shudu Finds Her Magic , published by Jacana Media in six languages and with delightful illustrations by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne – which will be available in bookstores around the country and online towards the end of August.   The book is inspired by Musida’s own childhood and the bullying she experienced when she moved to a new province and a new school.   Musida is a well-known advocate for mental health awareness, and this year launched her online mental health initiative # MindfulMondays  on her Instagram platform @shudufhadzomusida ,  in conjunction with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and Discovery Vitality. She explains: “The book is aimed at children aged between four and 12 years of age and deals with bullying and the power of friendship. I hope that youngsters will be able to see themselves reflected in

Andile Gaelesiwe is celebrated across SA as the adored host of  Khumbul’ ekhaya   on SABC 1. Yet few know that behind the glamour of her public image, there is a vulnerable girl from Meadowlands, Soweto.  Andile Gaelesiwe grew up in a time of turmoil, not only in SA, but also in her family. This led her to look for her biological father who then betrayed her in the worst possible way. In the late 1990s she took the music industry by storm when her first single   Abuti Yo   was released. "Remembering"  is Andile’s fierce, and at times funny, memoir. It touches on serious issues of rape and patriarchy, but also reveals a woman with a will of steel, music in her soul, and a commitment to living to the full. About the author Andile Gaelesiwe hosts the popular TV shows  Uthando Noxolo  and  Before I Do . Founder of the GBV response NGO, Open Disclosure, she has also been the Amnesty International anti-­sexual violence ambassador. Gaelesiwe has released five albums. BOOK EXTRACT My

Compiled from the best of the two hit e-books  Lockdown  and  Lockdown   Extended,  that Melinda Ferguson launched, back to back during the first four weeks of lockdown, as well as including new essays by the likes of New Frame's Richard Pithouse, Kharnita Mohamed and Carsten Rasch, the work brilliantly tries to make sense of a world held hostage by a virus.  Sentenced to Lockdown, regarded as "non-essential", a group of 40 South African writers get together in a virtual Corona Collective, to pen  The Lockdown Collection.  This historical gem showcases a list of South Africa's most celebrated writers, disruptors and thinkers, including: Sisonke Msimang ( Always Another Country ), Fred Khumalo ( Bitches Brew ), multi-disciplinary poet, Lebo Mashile and Pumla Dineo Gqola ( Rape A South African Nightmare ). There's the comic genius of Ben Trovato ( Durban Poison)  and  Everyday Zulu  Melusi Tshabalala, while the likes of  Khaya Dlanga, Dudu Busani-Dube, Rahla Xenopou

In Kitchen Queen, Lucia Mthiyane - Influencer par excellence - takes her followers on a very unique culinary journey by elevating the everyday to extraordinary. She shares her wisdom, stories and recipes with so much passion, its almost tangible.  The Kitchen Queen is more than just another cookbook, this unique publication in itself is a trendsetter for other influencers. Lucia give us a ride on her personal and inspirational culinary journey. From being a teacher to an actress, singer and television personality, to a self-made foodie and social media influencer. She shares her favourite and most reposted receipes, weaving together her life story with her unique take on food.  This book open up with a beautifully written introduction, this is where it all started. Umzinyathi, just north of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal. A village the author describes as one of the most luscious regions. "Within these pages you will find my secret to success: passion, purpose, preparation, persistence

Nasty Women Talk Back! is a collection of feminist essays that tells stories of what it’s like to be a woman in today’s world. Each story utilize a poster associated with the global women’s marches and uses it as a platform to tell a personal story. The stories are beautifully written, they talk about ordinary women who have done extraordinary thing's.  The ‘Nasty Women’ collection of essays are personal reflections on the lived experiences of the writers. Edited by feminist author Joy Watson and political scientist Amanda Gouws. The 28 contributions in the collection are all told by "nasty women" who are making the personal political, who are seeking to live their lives in ways that resist and challenge patriarchy. These are stories that speak to the creation of a different kind of social order, one based on equity, the promotion of human rights and social justice. These are not for the fainthearted, yes it's a warning because these are thought provoking stories and

Corporation Games  by Anneleigh Jacobsen is a fictional corporate thriller based on a number of real-life financial scandals that have rocked South Africa. The sex, money and greed of the corporate world are pitted against the quiet resilience of rural people. The end will leave you in awe. About the book What happens when the spirit world of South Africa clashes with corporate greed?  Why have the tokoloshes been sent to sniff out evil in Sandton? Some scary witchcraft practices that will leave you in awe of the extra mile people go because of greed.  The book open on a light note, the author take us on a tour through the Food Africa BrandCo Head Office which is set in Sandton. It was here where Georgie  was a part of a team that had to bring new products to market at lightning speed. The very same office is where Georgie fall for her married colleague. Jake is a gorgeous British family man in his mid 30s. Thing's get complicated when the two start entertaining the romance connect

This week's pick is a light read with a twist! Now bafwethu, for those of you who still don't get it, please allow Kefilwe to educate you just for a moment. What Influencers does is not shallow, in Kefilwe's words - my hope is that by the time you finish reading this book you will have gained a better understanding about the kind of value we bring to our clients and what it really means to be an Influencer."  After a long thought-out and well-planned journey, I have decided to release a book titled “Kefilwe Mabote: Influencer De Luxe – From Soweto to Milan”. The book takes you on a journey through time from my humble beginnings in Soweto to the streets of Milan. In becoming a digital media entrepreneur and luxury lifestyle influencer, I have sure learnt and experienced a lot of ups and downs in building my brand to where it is today. In touching on my upbringing, what makes me tick, what motivates me and how to make your mark in the digital media industry, the book tou

Hey Bafwethu! The world is fast changing, a need to ameliorate the content is just inevitable. Coco V (covid19) has shifted things, and most people are becoming more woke as we tap into the new normal. La ekhaya, we have also decided to add book recommendations onto our list. Books are a great escape when you want to tap into a different world to give the mind some sort of adventure. Reading is more than just a hobby we enjoy when we run out of things to do, it is empowering, entertaining and adventurous. This Week's choice was an easy one but I challenge you to read this book. After all it's still Pride Month!  They Called Me Queer' is a collection written by Africans who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual. South Africa has become known for its tolerance towards the LGBTQIA+ community. However, we live in a devastatingly segregated and unequal society, where sexual identities still heavily impacts every part of our daily lives