Young South African Writers

Post-1994 there has been a proliferation of young, black urban writers in South Africa.

These are some of our favourites, based on the writers' telling of contemporary urban stories that most young, black South Africans' can relate to or "get".

1. Kopano Matlwa - "Coconut". The term 'coconut' is commonly used in a derogatory way when refering to black South African's who 'act white' or who have had upbringings in the stereotypical white, middle-class neighbourhoods and schools.
2. Kgebetli Moele - "Room 207". About a group of guys who come from different parts of South Africa and move to Johannesburg with dreams of making it big.

-Both books are novels. Both funny, but telling serious stories.

Other writers to look out for:
1. Phaswane Mpe "Welcome to Our Hillbrow".
2. Njabulo Ndebele " Fools and Other Stories".

And 1 IMPORTANT book to look out for:
Sol Plaatje "Mhudi".
The first published, black author from South Africa. Plaatje was published in the early 1900's and was one of the first leaders of the ANC.