Zake Mda’s lyrical novel is set in the mists of time, in the Southern African kingdom of Mapungubwe. (Mda has based his story on a wealth of archaeological evidence and research into oral tradition.) It is a tale of the rivalry between the two artistically gifted sons of the royal sculptor; rivalry in love and rivalry for two competing visions of what society should be.
Zakes Mda
News | 18 November 2013
On 9 November, Lingua Franca, a spoken word and music movement, celebrated their first anniversary. At a sold out show at the Baxter Theatre, more than 15 poets graced the stage to recite their work.
Nwabisa Pondoyi
News | 13 November 2013
Parents every year complain about the demands grade 12 learners have for their end of the year matric dances.
Pharie Sefali
News | 13 November 2013
Weddings today have become more about flaunting status and wealth than tying the knot. Couples are left with financial debt and worse.
Nwabisa Pondoyi
News | 13 November 2013
It is not every day that a book like A man who is not a man comes along. Thando Mgqolozana's debut novel is a courageous book. It is a sensitive but merciless interrogation of the Xhosa custom of male circumcision today. What happens to the boys--emotionally, spiritually and socially--when things go wrong, the fault of which is not of their own making?
Thando Mgqolozana
News | 12 November 2013
Tuelo Gabonewe's is an exciting, new young voice in South African literature. His first novel, Planet Savage, is narrated by Leungo, a nine-year old with an unusual, often sacrosanct, outlook on life.
Tuelo Gabonewe
News | 4 November 2013
Not every parent would be pleased to hear their child is determined to make a life in the theatre. But Amber Mgushelwa’s family has been supportive of her career choice. Her father reassured her all the way; her mother had some concerns.
Nwabisa Pondoyi
News | 30 October 2013
Mandla Khusela was born in Guguletu and grew up in Langa.
Pharie Sefali
News | 29 October 2013
A Twitter storm erupted on 18 October after South African artist Euodia Roets published a blog post titled ‘How Woolworths Really Operates!’. Roets believes her design of a hummingbird on a cushion was used by Woolworths without the company acknowledging it as her work.
Delphine Pedeboy and GroundUp Editor
News | 21 October 2013