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.

  • Nicolaas Maritz

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


    Books by Nicolaas Maritz

  • Thembinkosi Kohli

    Artist, painter, writer of children’s books, Ruth Prowse graduate.

    Books by Thembinkosi Kohli

  • Sindiwe Magona

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

    Books by Sindiwe Magona

  • Loyiso Mkize

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

    Books by Loyiso Mkize

  • 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

  • Paddy Bouma

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

    Books by Paddy Bouma

  • 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

  • Mohale Mashigo

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

    Books by Mohale Mashigo

  • 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

  • Gcina Mhlophe

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

    Books by Gcina Mhlophe

  • Elinor Sisulu

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

    Books by Elinor Sisulu

  • Dale Blankenaar

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

    Books by Dale Blankenaar

  • Clyde Beech

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

    Books by Clyde Beech

  • Buhle Ngaba

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

    Books by Buhle Ngaba

  • Nomvula Masimula

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

    Books by Nomvula Masimula

  • Ben Turok

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

    Books by Ben Turok

  • Alan Durant

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

    Books by Alan Durant

  • Donvé Lee

    Author, Illustrator and Artist

    Books by Donvé Lee

  • Sanelisiwe Singaphi

    Illustrator

    Books by Sanelisiwe Singaphi

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

    Books by Amonge Elethu Sinxoto

  • 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

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

    Books by Carole Bloch

  • Xolisa Guzula
    Lecturer in Applied Language and Literacy Studies, co-founder of various multiliteracy reading clubs including Vulindlela Reading Clubs to Nal’ibali Reading Clubs and the Stars of Today Literacy Club.

    Books by Xolisa Guzula

  • Karen Jeynes
    Author, playwright, screenwriter

    Books by Karen Jeynes

  • Michelle Schwartz
    Children's book author

    Books by Michelle Schwartz

  • 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

  • Catherine Stock
    Author and children's book illustrator

    Books by Catherine Stock

  • Hlongwani Hlongwani
    Xitsonga translator

    Books by Hlongwani Hlongwani

  • Lynn Fellman

    Illustrator

    Books by Lynn Fellman

  • Marguerite Poland
    Author

    Books by Marguerite Poland

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Samantha van Riet
    Children's book illustrator

    Books by Samantha van Riet

  • Wendy Watson
    Author

    Books by Wendy Watson

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

    Books by Robin Malan

  • Reviva Schermbrucker
    Children's book author

    Books by Reviva Schermbrucker

  • 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

  • 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

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

    Books by Mpho Masipa

  • 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

  • Livhuwani Madiba
    Tshivenḓa translator and editor

    Books by Livhuwani Madiba

  • Keagana Moloabi
    Setswana translator and editor

    Books by Keagana Moloabi

  • Busisiwe Pakade
    isiZulu translator

    Books by Busisiwe Pakade