New Releases
With a catalogue of over 500 titles, we at New Africa Books have a book (or two) for all interests and reading levels.
Below you will find some of our bestsellers and latest releases. View our latest catalogues here.
SOUTH AFRICAN ANIMAL PORTRAITS A–Z
Nicolaas Maritz
ISBN 978 1 48562 799 9 (Hardback)
ISBN 978 1 48562 960 3 (Softcover)
Format Hardback and Softcover
Published May 2019
Meet the mammals, reptiles, insects and birds who populate the veld, desert, forests and ponds of South Africa. From the ant-eating aardvark to the zebra spitting cobra, there is a new friend on every page. Packed with vivid and charming illustrations and includes the scientific name of each animal.
I AM EARTH: A story from South Africa
Thembinkosi Kohli
ISBN 978 1 48562 694 7 (English)
Format Softcover
Published 2018
What is the story of the earth? The sun, the tree, the bird and me are all connected. We look after the earth and it looks after us. We are earth. In this exciting new children’s book, Thembinkosi Kohli’s illustrations encourage young readers to connect with the world they live in
I AM WATER: A story from South Africa
Thembinkosi Kohli
ISBN 978 1 48562 683 1 (English)
Format Softcover
Published 2018
Why do we need water? What do we use it for? Water keeps us alive. We are water, and water is us. In this exciting new children’s book, Thembinkosi Kohli’s illustrations encourage young readers to connect with the world they live in.
QUILL SOUP
Alan Durant, illustrated by Dale Blankenaar
ISBN 978 1 48562 800 2 (English)
Format Softcover
Published May 2019
Noko, the porcupine, is very hungry. On arriving at a village, he asks the other animals for some food and shelter. But, despite their full bellies, all the animals say they have nothing to spare. Never mind: he’ll just have to make do and cook a pot of soup from the quills off his back - a soup so tasty even the king likes it. Once the villagers hear of his plan they offer just enough ingredients to make a soup worthy of them all... This African version of Stone Soup celebrates generosity and kindness - and the message that we can all benefit if we share our resources.
Where is Lulu?
Mohale Mashigo, Clyde Beech, Nkosingiphile Mazibuko
Format Softcover
Published 2019 (Second Edition)
Where is Lulu and why is she hiding? This delightful picture book is about a young girl who loves to read but hides from her mom when she’s asked to take her books back to the library. When Lulu discovers that after returning her books she can read even more, she cannot contain her excitement! This is a fun and heartwarming book that is adored by first readers and parents alike.
How Lion Got his Roar
Gcina Mhlophe with illustrations by Magriet Brink
ISBN 978 1 48562 852 1
Format Softcover
Published August 2019
King Lion used to have a very soft voice. He didn’t sound like a powerful king of the beasts at all. The other animals had no warning of danger when he was out hunting. A big meeting was called to try and solve this problem. The animals made various suggestions but none were acceptable. Then Nogwaja, the crafty Hare, came up with a very clever idea. And this is how it came about that today Lion has the mighty roar that befits the king of the beasts!.
‘BUCKINGHAM PALACE’, DISTRICT SIX: Collector’s Edition
Richard Rive
ISBN 978 1 48562 281 9
Format Hardback
Published January 2020
‘Buckingham Palace’ was a dingy row of five houses in the heart of District Six, a notorious slum area at the foot of Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town. In this lively novel Richard Rive traces this close community through its moments of triumph and despair, its loves, its hatreds – and its bizarre characters. This new edition of Rive’s acclaimed novel features images of District Six by well-known photographers Clarence Coulson and George Hallett. These iconic photographs are interspersed throughout the novel and add another dimension to Richard Rive’s tale of this vibrant community. This classic story includes a foreword from beloved actor Basil Appollis and an accessible and stimulating introduction by Robin Malan, as well as notes on the book and points for discussion. This team of celebrated photographers, writers and actors have contributed a wealth of experience to bring Richard Rive’s bestselling book to a new audience.
Kwezi Collector’s Edition 4: Issues 10-12
Loyiso Mkize, Clyde Beech and Mohale Mashigo
ISBN 978 1 48562 705 0
Format Paperback
Published December 2018
Mpisi has been working very hard to create an "anti-Super" campaign, while our team of heroes have been saving lives and helping Mamadou find his family. A show-down in the desert plus new supers are a mere distraction from what's actually happening in the pit. Mohao finally sees the prophecy of his people come true but realises that the story may have been distorted.
Is our team ready for "anti-Super" sentiments, new bad guys and a prophecy come true?
The Kwezi comics celebrate a young African superhero and is the first of its kind. Set in Gold City, a hustling Johannesburg-esque metropolis, this series is a standout graphic novel title on the African and international stage.
The Girl Without a Sound
Buhle Ngaba
ISBN 978-0-620-70329-1
Format Paperback
Published October 2018
As an act of restoring power and agency to young black girls in South Africa, this is a story about a voiceless girl of colour in search of a sound of her own. It provides a catalyst to remind young readers of the power of the sounds trapped inside them.
"...for the ones with moonlight
in their skin."
Albertina Sisulu: Abridged Memoir
Sindiwe Magona & Elinor Sisulu
Format Paperback & Hardback
Published August 2018
Albertina Sisulu is revered by South Africans as the true mother of the nation. A survivor of the golden age of the African National Congress, whose life with the second most important figure in the ANC exemplified the underpinning role of women in the struggle against apartheid. This abridged account of Sisulu’s overflowing life provides a fresh understanding of an iconic figure of South African history. This new memoir is written by Sindiwe Magona, one of South Africa’s most prolific authors, and Elinor Sisulu, writer, activist and daughter-in-law of Albertina.
In 1944 she was the sole woman at the inaugural meeting of the radical offshoot of the ANC, the Youth League, with Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and Anton Lembede in the vanguard. Her final years were spent in an unpretentious house in the former white Johannesburg suburb of Linden. A friend said of her, "she treated everybody alike. But her main concern was the welfare of our women and children." This abridged account of Sisulu’s overflowing life provides a fresh understanding of an iconic figure of South African history. This new memoir is written by Sindiwe Magona, one of South Africa’s most prolific authors, and Elinor Sisulu, writer, activist and daughter-in-law of Albertina.
Mpumi's Magic Beads
Lebohang Masango with illustrations by Masego Morulane
Format Paperback
Published August 2018
Language Versions Available English, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, Setswana, Sesotho, Tshivenda,Sepedi
The beads jingle and jangle and sparkle. The girls giggle with glee! Mpumi and her friends discover magic in her hair and what begins as an ordinary school day in Joburg is suddenly full of adventure everywhere!
Mpumi’s Magic Beads is a delightful story about friendship, self-esteem, discovery and beautiful hair in the big city of Joburg. It follows the sudden adventures of Mpumi, Asante and Tshiamo as they see the world around them from new heights and realise all of the fun waiting to be discovered outside of their classroom. This story is a great read for the whole family, especially children aged between 5 – 10 years old.
Skin we are in
Sindiwe Magona & Nina G. Jablonski
Format Paperback
Published March 2018
Language Versions Available English, Afrikaans, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda
When we meet someone, one of the things we notice is the colour of their skin. But what can someone’s skin colour tell us about them? Despite what some people say, your skin means very little! Inside we’re all the same. Join Njabulo, Aisha, Tim, Chris and Roshni as they discover why humans have different skins, and how people’s thinking about skin colour has changed throughout history. Skin we are in is a celebration of the glorious human rainbow, both in South Africa and beyond.
One of South Africa’s best-selling authors, Sindiwe Magona, has teamed up with well-known American anthropologist, Nina G. Jablonski, and award-winning illustrator Lynn Fellman to create a much-needed book about race and skin colour – for children. Magona has written a story of five friends as they explore and discuss the skin they are in. The scientific narrative, written by Jablonski, expands and supports the conversation topics generated by the children’s adventure.
Mother to Mother: Educational Edition
Sindiwe Magona
ISBN 978-1-4856-2292-5
Format Paperback
Published June 2015
In August 1993, Fulbright scholar Amy Biehl was killed in Cape Town by a group of black teenagers incited by an upsurge in 'anti-white' sloganeering. She died just a few metres away from Sindiwe Magona's house. One of the boys held responsible for the killing was her neighbour's son.
Mother to Mother takes the form of an epistle to Amy Biehl's mother.
Sindiwe Magona imagines how easily it might have been for her own son to get caught up in the violence of that day. She writes about their lives in a colonised society that not only allowed, but also perpetuated violence against women and impoverished black South Africans. The result is not an apology for murder, but an exquisitely written exploration of the lives of ordinary people in the apartheid years.
The educational edition includes and introduction and notes on the text by Gerald de Villiers.
‘…a tour de force’ – Andre Brink
