South Africa and Zimbabwe

Abstract

Introduction: South Africa 2016 was an active year in publishing, with an impressive array of books in print. The role of small, independent publishers such as Modjaji, Botsotso and Junkets remains important, especially in the genres of poetry and drama. Self-publishing in poetry, but increasingly in fiction as well, is on the rise, with an increase in so-called "hybrid authors" who are published traditionally as well as self-publishing their works. An encouraging feature is the large number of debuts with numerous new voices appearing in poetry, drama and fiction. A wide range of books were nominated for the main literary awards. Interestingly, J. M. Coetzee's The Schooldays of Jesus which was nominated for the Man Booker Prize did not feature on any of the local award lists. The Sunday Times Award was won by Zakes Mda for his 2015 novel Little Suns, with The Printmaker by Bronwyn Law-Viljoen, Period Pain by Kopano Matlwa, The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso and The Safest Place You Know by Mark Winkler shortlisted. Omotoso attracted international interest and acclaim and was nominated for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction as well as for the UJ Prize, along with Pleasure by Nthikeng Mohlele and Sigh, the Beloved Country by Bongani Madondo. The UJ Debut Prize nominees include The Yearning by Mohale Mashigo, Loud and Yellow Laughter by Sindiswa Busuku-Mathese and Tjieng Tjang Tjerries & Other Stories by Jolyn Phillips. It is interesting to see poetry (Busuku-Mathese) and short stories (Madondo and Phillips) appearing on the award list. The UJ Prizes have not been awarded at the time of writing. The MER Prize for Youth Literature was won by Edyth Bulbring for Snitch, with Elevation by Helen Brain and There Should Have Been Five by M. J. Honikman shortlisted. Suzanne van Rooyen's Scardust, combining science fiction with gay romance, won the 2016 Rainbow Award for Gay Sci-Fi / Futuristic Literature. Speculative fiction dominates the youth literature. Elevation by Helen Brain appears to be standard postapocalyptic fiction, albeit with a Cape Town setting; however, Brain brings in fantastic elements as the protagonist discovers she is the descendant of a goddess and must embark on a quest to restore a magic amulet. More conventional fantasy with little South African influence can be seen in Judged, the conclusion of Liz de Jager's Blackhart trilogy, and Adrienne Woods' dragon fantasy novels Starlight and Moonbeam.