Our authors and creatives

Historically, New Africa Books and David Philip's authors have included two Nobel Laureates, Nadine Gordimer and Wole Soyinka, alongside many other literary luminaries, such as Guy Butler, Ivan Vladislavic, Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, and Mongane Wally Serote.

Our new wave of authors and illustrators show off the diversity and vibrancy of modern South African writing, illustration and storytelling. Meet some of them below.

  • Alan Durant

    Children’s author, poet, creative writing tutor, award winner.

    Books by Alan Durant

  • Amonge Elethu Sinxoto
    Author, social entrepreneur, female activist and public speaker

    Books by Amonge Elethu Sinxoto

  • Ben Turok

    Intellectual, activist, ex-Minister of Parliament, ex-co-chairman of the parliamentary joint committee on ethics.

    Books by Ben Turok

  • Buhle Ngaba

    Actor, author, playwright, Kanna Theatre Award winner, feminist, and storyteller.

    Books by Buhle Ngaba

  • Busisiwe Pakade
    isiZulu translator

    Books by Busisiwe Pakade

  • Carole Bloch
    Early childhood educator, multilingual early literacy specialist, facilitator and advocate for multilingual children's literature.

    Books by Carole Bloch

  • Catherine Stock
    Author and children's book illustrator

    Books by Catherine Stock

  • Clyde Beech

    Comic book artist, illustrator, visual storyteller, digital painter.

    Books by Clyde Beech

  • Dale Blankenaar

    Picture book illustrator, designer, art director, award winner.

    Books by Dale Blankenaar

  • Donvé Lee
    Author, Illustrator and Artist

    Books by Donvé Lee

  • Elina Braslina
    Elīna Brasliņa (1988) is an illustrator from Latvia. She has illustrated around thirty titles, most of them children's books and young adult novels by Latvian authors. Elīna made her international debut by illustrating Kate Wakeling's collection of poems, “Moon Juice”, published by “The Emma Press” (UK). 

    Books by Elina Braslina

  • Elinor Sisulu

    Writer, political analyst, human rights activist, ardent promoter of children’s literature by South African writers.

    Books by Elinor Sisulu

  • Gcina Mhlophe

    Author, poet, playwright, director, performer and internationally-renowned storyteller, activist, feminist.

    Books by Gcina Mhlophe

  • Hlongwani Hlongwani
    Xitsonga translator

    Books by Hlongwani Hlongwani

  • Jabulane Ncongwane
    Siswati Translator

    Books by Jabulane Ncongwane

  • Karen Jeynes
    Author, playwright, screenwriter

    Books by Karen Jeynes

  • Keagana Moloabi
    Setswana translator and editor

    Books by Keagana Moloabi

  • Lawrence Schimel

    Lawrence Schimel is a bilingual writer, translator and anthologist. His work, which frequently deals with LGBTQ themes as well as matters of Jewish identity, often falls into the genres of science fiction and fantasy and takes the form of both poetry and prose.

     

    Books by Lawrence Schimel

  • Lebohang Masango

    Author, academic, anthropologist, poet, literacy advocate, Zanele Mbeki fellow, World Read Aloud Day Ambassador, Volunteers Advocate for Unicef South Africa, and feminist activist.

     

    Books by Lebohang Masango

  • Livhuwani Madiba
    Tshivenḓa translator and editor

    Books by Livhuwani Madiba

  • Loyiso Mkize

    Visual artist, fine artist, graphic designer, storyteller, and cultural activist.

    Books by Loyiso Mkize

  • Lynn Fellman

    Illustrator

    Books by Lynn Fellman

  • Marguerite Poland
    Author

    Books by Marguerite Poland

  • Masabata Mokgesi
    Multilingual African languages enthusiast, poet, avid reader. A professional language practitioner, Masabata specialises in Sesotho/English translation, interpreting and voice-overs.

    Books by Masabata Mokgesi

  • Masego Morulane

    Masego Morulane is a Graphic Designer/Illustrator and has contributed to Book Dash, a project that is aimed at encouraging the habit of reading in children by creating authentic African  storybooks. In 2018 she illustrated the multi-award-winning children’s book, Mpumi’s Magic Beads.

     

    Books by Masego Morulane

  • Michelle Schwartz
    Children's book author

    Books by Michelle Schwartz

  • Miriam Tlali
    Miriam Tlali was a South African novelist. She was the first black woman in South Africa to publish an English-language novel, Between Two Worlds, in 1975. She was also one of the first to write about Soweto. Most of her writing was originally banned by the South African apartheid regime.

    Books by Miriam Tlali

  • Mohale Mashigo

    Novelist, storyteller, writer, singer-songwriter, scriptwriter, award winner.

    Books by Mohale Mashigo

  • Mongane Wally Serote
    Mongane Wally Serote is a South African poet and writer. He became involved in political resistance to the apartheid government by joining the African National Congress

    Books by Mongane Wally Serote

  • Mpho Masipa
    Dr. Mpho Masipa is a translator, editor and voice over artist.

    Books by Mpho Masipa

  • Nicolaas Maritz

    Author, illustrator, internationally-renowned fine artist, musician, and creative maverick.


    Books by Nicolaas Maritz

  • Nina G Jablonski

    Nina G. Jablonski is an American anthropologist and palaeobiologist, known for her research into the evolution of skin color in humans. She is engaged in public education about human evolution, human diversity, and racism.

    Books by Nina G Jablonski

  • Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang

    Dr NM Msimang is a writer, academic, producer and broadcaster who holds degrees from the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and has a PhD in African Literature from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). DR NM Msimang is also the Director of Special Projects and Fundraising for PUKU.

    Books by Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang

  • Nomvula Masimula

    Translator, Editor, Educator, Storyteller, Feminist, Publishing graduate

    Books by Nomvula Masimula

  • Paddy Bouma

    Lithographer, printmaker, illustrator, fine artist, writer of alternative comics, and mentor of budding artists.

    Books by Paddy Bouma

  • Reviva Schermbrucker
    Children's book author

    Books by Reviva Schermbrucker

  • Richard Rive

    Winner of scholarships at post-graduate and post-doctoral levels; visiting professor, excellent sportsman, influential thinker; fervent supporter of development in South Africa.

    Richard Rive was murdered in 1989.

    Books by Richard Rive

  • Robin Malan
    Robin Malan is an editor of South African textbook anthologies and a well-renowned author.

    Books by Robin Malan

  • Russel Kaschula
    Professor in the Department of African Language Studies at the University of the Western Cape where he is the Postgraduate Coordinator. He also holds the newly established Chair in Forensic Linguistics and Multilingualism.

    Books by Russel Kaschula

  • Samantha van Riet
    Children's book illustrator

    Books by Samantha van Riet

  • Sanelisiwe Singaphi
    Illustrator

    Books by Sanelisiwe Singaphi

  • Sewela Langeni

    Sewela Langeni is the owner of Book Circle Capital, an independent bookshop focusing on African literature based at 27 Boxes in Melville, Johannesburg. She is passionate about  literacy, especially for children. Her academic background spans from Journalism and Communication Sciences to Marketing. She holds a master’s degree in strategic marketing and consulting (Cum Laude) from the University of Birmingham, UK.  She’s an avid reader and reviewer of local books for adults and kids. In her role at Book Circle Capital, she also facilitates conversations with authors on their books. Founded by Loyiso Langeni, the bookshop idea was born out of a need to create a space where African stories can be curated and celebrated. Sewela has created extensive networks in the South African literacy and book publishing space.  Book Circle Capital has been profiled in various South African media platforms including Mail & Guardian, The Star, SAFM, KayaFM, Channel Africa, SABC and eNews.

     

    Books by Sewela Langeni

  • Sindiwe Magona

    Writer, motivational speaker, feminist, maverick, actor, storyteller, and award winner.

    Books by Sindiwe Magona

  • Subi Bosa

    After studying Architecture Subi Bosa realised his passion was in illustration. He became a freelancer, working with self-publishing authors worldwide and was awarded a Mo Siewcharran Publisher’s Prize for Illustration in 2020. In 2022 The Girl With 21 Questions a picture book illustrated by Subi and published by Pan MacMillan, won the gold Pendoring award for best-designed picture book. His wordless comic Miyayu had its first issue released in 2021, published by Imagnary House, and the book’s fame sparked the Kingsmead Book Fair to invite Subi to host a comic-making workshop, which was a great success. Subi is based in Cape Town, South Africa, producing picture books, comics, graphic novels and a podcast for creatives titled ‘Subi and Kate Circling Back’. His art and illustration work is represented internationally by The Bright Agency.

     

     

    Books by Subi Bosa

  • Tanja Malherbe
    Ex-journalist, -editor and - educator. Currently freelance translator and proofreader for childrens books.
    Avid reader and word-lover, believing in the importance of exposing children at a young age to the wonder of words, books and early education. 
    My philosopy: "Words become ideas that can change the world."

    Books by Tanja Malherbe