Jacana Media News
Reading protest: Voices that sparked a revolution
2nd June 2026
On 16 June 1976, thousands of Soweto's schoolchildren took to the streets and changed South Africa forever. Fifty years on, their courage is still present in conversations about justice, dignity and the right to be free. Every day for 16 days, to commemorate the Soweto Uprising, we’ll spotlight a... →
On 16 June 1976, thousands of Soweto's schoolchildren took to the streets and changed South Africa forever. Fifty years on, their courage is still present in conversations about justice, dignity and the right to be free. Every day for 16 days, to commemorate the Soweto Uprising, we’ll spotlight a... →
Loud Explosions, Silenced Cries: Reflections on the War in Gaza
18th May 2026
This compelling anthology is a diverse collection of essays and poetry emerging from South Africa in response to the painful realities and deep suffering caused by the ongoing war in Gaza. It brings together the voices of students, writers, activists and scholars who confront the harsh truths of... →
This compelling anthology is a diverse collection of essays and poetry emerging from South Africa in response to the painful realities and deep suffering caused by the ongoing war in Gaza. It brings together the voices of students, writers, activists and scholars who confront the harsh truths of... →
Stern Gods
15th May 2026
Stern Gods is a powerful coming-of-age novel set in 1980 apartheid South Africa, during a turbulent State of Emergency. Eleven-year-old Kaathi Reddy lives in a cramped council house in the Indian township of Bombayville, navigating the harsh realities of poverty, patriarchy and systemic violence.... →
Stern Gods is a powerful coming-of-age novel set in 1980 apartheid South Africa, during a turbulent State of Emergency. Eleven-year-old Kaathi Reddy lives in a cramped council house in the Indian township of Bombayville, navigating the harsh realities of poverty, patriarchy and systemic violence.... →
Predatory Welfare: How Finance Capital Profiteers from Social Grants
4th May 2026
In this heartbreakingly gripping tell-all, South Africa’s public social grants system and private finance capital clash in what ultimately ends in the exploitation of poor black South Africans trapped in a cycle of debt. ‘Twenty-six cents. That was all that was left in Lerato’s bank account when... →
In this heartbreakingly gripping tell-all, South Africa’s public social grants system and private finance capital clash in what ultimately ends in the exploitation of poor black South Africans trapped in a cycle of debt. ‘Twenty-six cents. That was all that was left in Lerato’s bank account when... →
Frontiers of National and International Development: Rethinking Governance and Growth in the Global South
29th April 2026
Frontiers of National and International Development is an incisive interrogation of statecraft and governance in the Global South. Drawing on theory, policy experience and case studies, particularly from South Africa and China, Ngcaweni explores how capable, ethical leadership is central to... →
Frontiers of National and International Development is an incisive interrogation of statecraft and governance in the Global South. Drawing on theory, policy experience and case studies, particularly from South Africa and China, Ngcaweni explores how capable, ethical leadership is central to... →
Book Launches
Book Launch: The Soweto Uprising – The birth of a national students' movement
1st June 2026
This new and revised edition is a powerful and illuminating account of a defining moment in South African history. The Soweto Uprising: A Jacana Pocket History brings to life the courage, defiance and political awakening of the youth of 1976. Drawing on rich oral histories, Noor Nieftagodien... →
This new and revised edition is a powerful and illuminating account of a defining moment in South African history. The Soweto Uprising: A Jacana Pocket History brings to life the courage, defiance and political awakening of the youth of 1976. Drawing on rich oral histories, Noor Nieftagodien... →
Flying Cows and Other Traumas online launch
28th May 2026
Join debut author and Pitch to Publication success, Philisiwe Twijnstra, discussing her short story collection, Flying Cows and Other Traumas, with literary journalist Karabo Kgoleng. DATE & TIME: Tuesday, 9 June, 18:30 (SAST) VENUE: Crowdcast webinar platform RSVP: Register here by Monday, 8 June. →
Join debut author and Pitch to Publication success, Philisiwe Twijnstra, discussing her short story collection, Flying Cows and Other Traumas, with literary journalist Karabo Kgoleng. DATE & TIME: Tuesday, 9 June, 18:30 (SAST) VENUE: Crowdcast webinar platform RSVP: Register here by Monday, 8 June. →
Walter Sisulu: A sense of outrage book launch
11th March 2026
We are delighted to invite you to the Walter Sisulu: A Sense of Outrage book launch at The Forge. Roger Southall will be in conversation with Bongani Ngqulunga. DATE & TIME Tuesday, 24 March, 18:00 for 18:30 VENUE The Forge, 87 de Korte Street, South Point Corner, Braamfontein, Johannesburg RSVP... →
We are delighted to invite you to the Walter Sisulu: A Sense of Outrage book launch at The Forge. Roger Southall will be in conversation with Bongani Ngqulunga. DATE & TIME Tuesday, 24 March, 18:00 for 18:30 VENUE The Forge, 87 de Korte Street, South Point Corner, Braamfontein, Johannesburg RSVP... →