Thembinkosi Kohli, author of The Shadow, releases two new illustrated children's books.

In these exciting new children’s books, Thembinkosi Kohli’s illustrations encourage young readers to connect with the world they live in. His bright and cheerful images, which are accompanied by short bursts of text, tell stories in an easy to understand visual language. I am earth elaborates on not only our connection to the earth as human beings but its importance in our everyday lives while I am water speaks on the importance of water for the world and its everyday uses. These stories are a great read for the whole family, especially children aged between 4 – 8 years old.

Thembinkosi Kohli is a South African artist. He has exhibited his work at the Alexander Brest Museum in Florida and the District Six Museum in Cape Town. His first illustrated children’s book, The Shadow, was published to great success by David Philip Publishers.

The books are available to purchase from our online shop or any good bookstore.

In this, the centenary year of Albertina Sisulu’s birth, we at David Philip Publishers are delighted to publish an abridged memoir that celebrates this extraordinary woman’s life.

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, her life with her husband Walter, the second most important figure in the ANC, exemplified the underpinning role of women in the struggle against apartheid. In 1944 she was the only woman at the inaugural meeting of the ANC Youth League, with Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Anton Lembede and her husband 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 this iconic figure of South African history. The book is written in an easily understandable language, perfectly suited for young adult readers. Combined with images and illustrations of Sisulu’s life, this new memoir brings the history of one of South Africa’s most notable and important woman to a new generation of readers. This refreshing book is written by Sindiwe Magona, one of South Africa’s most prolific authors, and Elinor Sisulu, writer, activist and daughter-in-law of Albertina.

The book is available from all good bookstores across South Africa and online from Loot, Takealot and New Africa Books.

New Africa Books is proud to be the publisher of Mpumi's Magic Beads by Lebohang Masango & Masego Morulane.

This hugely successful and much-loved children's book will be available from New Africa Books/David Philip Publishers in the second half of 2018.

Mpumi’s Magic Beads is an enchanting 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.

Pre-Order your copy here in all eleven official South African languages.

UPDATE: Mpumi’s Magic Beads is now available for purchase, get your copy here.

On Saturday 5 May local children's bookstore, Ethnikids, will celebrate their first birthday with a family fun day at NIROX Sculpture Park.

The day will consist of a number of fun literary events for children of all ages. Families will be able to enjoy a picnic in the park interspersed by children's book readings every hour, on the hour, with musical workshops in-between. Children will also be given the opportunity to meet the authors of their favourite books.

Ethnikids is an online bookstore specialising in children's books that feature characters of colour in various South African languages. Their mission is to provide diverse material that all children can relate to and identify with. David Philip author, Sindiwe Magona, will be there to discuss and read from her latest children's book Skin we are in. 

Be sure to join Ethnikids, Sindiwe Magona, and a number of other local authors for a fun day celebrating the joys of reading.

The line-up is as follows:

10am - Gates open

11am - Swaady Martin, author of Malaika & The Angel

12pm - Bianca Masina, author of I Love Me

1pm - Sing-along with with Moshoeu Ketlele to Mzansi's Nursery Rhymes

2pm - Lebohang Masango, author of Mpumi's Magic Beads

3pm - Refiloe Moahloli, author of How many ways to say hello and Tullula

4pm - Sindiwe Magona, author of Skin we are in

Get your tickets for the event here.

One of this year's Rhodes University Honorary Doctorate recipients is poet, activist, and David Philip author, Dr Sindiwe Magona.

One of South Africa's literary stalwarts, Magona, was bestowed with a Doctor of Letters (DLitt) during the April 2018 graduation session at the Grahamstown university.

Magona has written over 120 children's books in her lifetime and was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in 2011. Magona, who worked for the United Nations for 20 years, is currently a Writer-in-Residence at the University of the Western Cape where she continues her work as a language ambassador and mentor for young writers in Southern Africa.

The other recipients of honorary doctorates alongside Magona were Professor Peter Mtuze, Dr Andrew Mlangeni, Professor Vishnu Padayachee, Ms Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and Judge Dikgang Moseneke.

Of the occasion, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, Vice-Chancellor for Rhodes University, said, "It is a privilege for us as the Rhodes University community to honour such outstanding citizens for their many and significant contributions. We warmly congratulate them for their notable achievements. Not have they made it their life's work to enrich the lives of others, they are also excellent role models to us all."