Category: Literature

This is the home of all posts about literature on In Mzansi.  Make sure to also visit the Reading Africa project page.

If you love African literature, you’re in the right place. The Reading Africa project aims to read and review a book from every country on the continent. Looking to read more books? You’ll find tips for reading more and reading better. There are also some other great books for active citizens.

 

novel-set-in-ethiopia-the-shadow-king

Literature

Reading Ethiopia with ‘The Shadow King’

As one of Africa’s biggest countries and economies, Ethiopia is no stranger to South Africans. The country’s ancient history is widely recognised and it’s recently made news for its invasion of Tigray in 2020....

the-mourning-bird-book

Literature

Reading Zambia: The Mourning Bird

Reading Zambia with The Mourning Bird raises a number of important questions related to reading African literature. While the country is relatively well-known in South Africa for its role in supporting the anti-Apartheid struggle,...

bessie-head-when-rain-clouds-gather

Literature

Reading Botswana: When Rain Clouds Gather

Amongst books set in Botswana, When Rain Clouds Gather stands out. It’s written by the legendary Bessie Head and tells a classic African story of migration, community and love. The superb writing and endearing...

beneath-the-darkening-sky-book-set-in-south-sudan

Literature

Reading South Sudan: Beneath the Darkening Sky

Beneath the Darkening Sky tells the story of Obinna, a child soldier who is weaponised by a rebel army into killing and raping his countrypeople. It reads like a never-ending list of horrors but...