The literary “Oscars”: Here are the 2025 South African Literary Awards winners

The 20th edition of the South African Literary Awards (SALA) lived up to its stellar reputation of celebrating excellence when it honoured 49 South African writers, translators and other literary practitioners across 16 categories at a ceremony held at the newly revamped Roodepoort Theatre and Museum, in Johannesburg.

21 Nov 2025

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Over 200 dignitaries attended the event that is increasingly being regarded as the “Oscars” of the literary calendar in South Africa.

Sala was founded by wRite associates in 2005 in collaboration with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC). This year’s ceremony was the culmination of many months of sifting through nominees to find the winner in each category.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, delivered a keynote address with humorous and inspiring anecdotes about how he began his journey as a writer.

“The South African Literary Awards have become a sanctuary for these voices, a space where all 11 official languages find equal dignity and where the full breadth of our literary heritage is affirmed. Our Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, together with the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, as well as the City of Johannesburg, stand proudly alongside this noble initiative”, said Minister McKenzie

This year’s awards coincided with the 13th Africa Century International African Writers Conference, which celebrates the 34th International African Writers’ Day and 31 years of South Africa’s democracy.

In 1991, the Conference of African Ministers of Education and Culture in Cotonou, Benin, voted to designate 7 November as International African Writers’ Day, which is currently observed across the continent.

Delivering the lecture was Prof Wangui wa Goro, the Kenyan academic, social critic, researcher, translator and writer based in the UK, titled The Future of African Writing: The Transforming Landscapes, Enhancing the Mbokodo Narratives.

Sala is a vital platform for recognising the contributions of authors, translators, poets, and other literary practitioners. DSAC, together with her Gauteng Provincial and City of Johannesburg counterparts, play a crucial role in supporting this initiative, demonstrating their commitment to promoting cultural and literary excellence.

“In these 13th and 20th annual iterations of the International African Writers’ Day Lecture and South African Literary Awards, respectively, we welcome very warmly the City of Johannesburg and Gauteng Provincial Department of Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Heritage into the tried and tested partnership SALA is having with the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture”. To this end, the City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Community Development, Councilor Sthembiso Zungu, together with Gauteng Provincial Department of Education, Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture’s Director, Vonani Baloyi, emphasised the importance and necessity of the partnership with SALA.

Shortlists revealed for 2025 South African Literary Awards

29 Oct 2025

The Awards have previously recognised luminaries such as poets laureate Mazisi Kunene, Mongane Wally Serote, Keorapetse Kgositsile, Nobel Laureate Nadine Gordimer, and other outstanding writers like Prof Eskia Mphahlele, Don Mattera, Bessie Head, Antjie Krog, among many others across the various categories and 11 official languages.