South Africa now has an additional 21 new literary works enriching its cultural landscape. The official launch of the 2025 DSAC Publishing Hub grant recipients took place on Friday, 21 November 2025 at the University of South Africa (UNISA), on the eve of South Africa’s G20 Summit—a powerful statement of the nation’s commitment to linguistic diversity, cultural preservation, and inclusive creative economies.
The momentous celebration brought together dignitaries, authors, enablers, ecosystem stakeholders from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), and notable luminaries including South Africa’s Poet Laureate, Dr. Gcina Mhlope, amongst a host of literary and cultural leaders.
“These books confirm our commitment towards nurturing the literary ecosystem and empowering local authors and publishers along with the entire book value chain,” declared Honourable Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Gayton McKenzie. “The literary works reflect our collective South African heritage, including youth people living with disability and previously disadvantaged languages. This serves as a testament to the wealth of our cultural tapestry.”
A Historic Milestone: 91 Works Preserving South Africa’s Heritage
To date, the DSAC Publishing Hub has produced a remarkable total of 91 literary works, comprising:
64 physical books
15 audiobooks
12 books converted to Braille
Significantly, five of these works are written in Khwedam, !Xunthali and Nama—Khoi and San Languages—further emphasizing the programme’s commitment to linguistic and cultural preservation of South Africa’s indigenous heritage.
The 2024/25 Collection: 21 New Books, 7 Audiobooks, 6 Braille Transcriptions
The set of works produced in this financial year includes:
21 physical books across all genres
7 audiobooks ensuring accessibility
6 books converted to Braille for visually impaired readers
These 34 new works represent every official language and celebrate the diversity of South African storytelling—from children’s literature to poetry anthologies, novels, drama texts, short story collections, and narrative non-fiction.
A Celebration of Rainbow Nation Excellence
The official launch event was a vibrant celebration of South African culture, featuring a colourful exhibition of African outfits that showcased the nation’s rich sartorial heritage. The packed venue reflected the enthusiasm and pride South Africans have for their indigenous languages and stories.
In a powerful moment of solidarity, the event also honoured the Women’s Shutdown by observing 15 minutes of silence—demonstrating that cultural celebration and social justice go hand in hand in South Africa’s literary community.
Meet the 2025 DSAC Publishing Hub Grant Recipients
isiZulu:
Bhekisisa Potiycarp — Isigqi Lomzansi (Narration Non-Fiction) — Iziko Art Company
Nomcebo Cele — Ubukhazikhazi Bezinkanyezi (Children and Young Adults’ books) — Siyafundisa Online
isiXhosa:
Lisanda Msilekwane — Ulophilili (Children and Young Adults’ books) — Siyafundisa Online
Nomtandazo Sicolo — Siyafundisa Online
Phetlasi-Princess Mmomireni — UKUGQAMA KWEQGANGE (Poetry Anthology, 2 Authors) — Mighty Greener Pastures General Trading Pty Ltd
Setswana:
Kgaugwane Dire — Setswana
Bontle Nkeatlang — Manya A Pelo A Botshelo (Drama Text, 2 Authors) — HelpMyWorld
Bokamoso Edward Manyana — Setswana
Odirile Sibanda — Khupamafana Ke Pina Ya Peto (Poetry Anthology, 2 Authors) — Sun Peo
Sesotho:
John Maphatela Maphela — Manmeti Tsona (Short Story Anthologies) — Sun Peo
Tihokomelo Khusu — Ntokoteli (Poetry Anthologies) — Zamaphuti Publishers
isiNdebele:
Frans Sabelo Minenhle — MINA NA MNGANELE (Children and Young Adults’ books) — Mbokoto
Themba Emanuel Mashobane — Isidonodono (Poetry Anthologies) — Epublishing and Digital Displays
Sepedi:
Mosima Kagiso Phakeng — Reantsha Lesedi La Gago (Children and Young Adults’ books) — Mighty Greener Pastures General Trading Pty Ltd
Blessing Morokolo — Re Laniile Bohwa le Seřšo (Children and Young Adults’ books) — Vinakotolo Press
Xitsonga:
Vongani andriw Mathye — Vutlha ya vakokwana (Poetry Anthologies) — Mbokoto
Hlayi Sanl Antonette Shiburi — Jutani Hi Yi Watiekela (Poetry Anthologies) — Vinakotolo Press
Tshivenda:
Phatheletshedzo Netshavihamutola — Tshivenda
Tshilizzi — MATSIVHA A MBILU (Poetry Anthology, 2 Authors) — HelpMyWorld
Phutuso Dave Netshavihakololo — MITODZI YA PHILIPHISE (Children and Young Adults’ books) — Zamaphuti Publishers
Siswati:
Khedive Mvulane — Jabulane netibhodo takemanga (Children and Young Adults’ books) — Epublishing and Digital Displays
Constance Merry Mkomi — Imkhonkhlo Yesono (Novel) — Iziko Art Company
Afrikaans:
Carina Diedericks-Hugo — Toe vind ek jou (Children and Young Adults’ books) — Xarra Books
English:
Bontle Nggiyazi — Small Fires In The Dust (Short Story Anthologies) — Xarra Books
Literary Excellence Meets G20 Presidency
The timing of this launch—on the eve of South Africa’s G20 Summit—underscores the nation’s commitment to demonstrating that investment in culture, linguistic diversity, and creative economies is central to national development. As world leaders gather in South Africa, the DSAC Publishing Hub showcases the country’s investment in knowledge production, linguistic diversity, and inclusive creative economies.
“This groundbreaking programme represents more than just publishing books—it’s about reclaiming our narrative and investing in South Africa’s intellectual capital,” Minister McKenzie emphasized. “We’re witnessing a renaissance in South African literature, and these grants ensure that every voice, in every language, has the opportunity to be heard.”
Building an Inclusive Literary Ecosystem
The DSAC Publishing Hub, administered by the Academic and Non-Fiction Authors’ Association of South Africa (ANFASA) in partnership with DSAC, represents a transformative commitment to:
Language preservation through quality literary production in all 11 official languages, including Khoi and San languages
Accessibility via physical books, audiobooks, and braille transcriptions
Youth empowerment by supporting emerging authors
Disability inclusion ensuring people living with disabilities can access South African literature
Industry growth by partnering with 10 publishing houses and creating sustainable jobs
Cultural pride by celebrating South Africa’s diverse storytelling traditions
Publishing Partners Driving Industry Growth
Xarra Books | Iziko Art Company | Siyafundisa Online | Mighty Greener Pastures General Trading Pty Ltd | HelpMyWorld| Sun Peo | Zamaphuti Publishers | Mbokoto | Epublishing and Digital Displays | Vinakotolo Press
A Testament to South Africa’s Cultural Wealth
From the participation of South Africa’s National Poet Laureate Prof Walle Serote to the presence of authors representing every corner of the nation, the launch celebration embodied the spirit of ubuntu and collective achievement. The colourful exhibition of African attire and the solemn observance honouring the Women’s Shutdown demonstrated that South Africa’s literary community is deeply connected to both cultural celebration and social justice.
The 91 works produced through the DSAC Publishing Hub since its inception represent more than books—they are vessels of memory, identity, and aspiration. They tell stories that have been waiting to be told, in languages that deserve to thrive, by authors whose voices enrich the global literary landscape.
Looking Forward: A Sustainable Literary Future
As South Africa continues to host the G20 and demonstrate leadership on the world stage, the DSAC Publishing Hub stands as proof that investing in culture and creativity is not ancillary to development—it is central to it. The programme’s commitment to previously disadvantaged languages, accessibility for people with disabilities, and support for the entire book value chain ensures that South Africa’s literary ecosystem will continue to flourish for generations to come.