Shows
VOW 88.1IN CONVERSATION WITH TERRY MORRIS | Managing Director, Pan Macmillan South AfricaPan Macmillan South Africa, led by Terry Morris, is celebrating 21 years of local publishing in 2025. Known for powerful fiction, children’s books, and transformative non-fiction, the imprint has helped position African literature on the global stage.
Pan Macmillan is home to iconic authors such as Trevor Noah, Zakes Mda, and Jacana’s Pan imprint partners, while their children’s division continues to grow literacy among young readers. Their acquisition of Trevor Noah’s Into the Uncut Grass demonstrates how local publishers are bridging the global storytelling gap. Instagram · Twitter
2025-11-1110 min
POWER PerspectiveSafeguarding African Literature and Indigenous Knowledge in the Age of AIAcclaimed novelist Zakes Mda has once again sparked a national conversation, this time about the future of South African literature and the plight of authors in the age of artificial intelligence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025-10-0919 min
The Jet Set BreakfastTIME OF THE WRITER FESTIVAL hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-NatalGUEST: ISMAIL MAHOMED - Director of the Centre for Creative Arts. GUEST: PROF ZAKES MDA - Author TIME OF THE WRITER FESTIVAL hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
2024-03-2013 min
Radio 2000 MixesIt Takes A Village: Zakes Mda, South African novelist, poet and playwrightThis week marks the kick-off of the 27th Time of the Writer festival, hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. We now speak to Professor Zakes Mda, who’s a novelist, poet and playwright.
2024-03-1411 min
African Couch Potato35 - Set Design with Karabo LegoabeAs part of our ongoing journey through all aspects of Film, TV, Theatre and many other forms of media, Gino sits down with multi-award-winning production designer Karabo Legoabe. Karabo has a Naledi Award, an Independent Theatre Award and was listed as one of the Top 200 Young South Africans by Mail & Guardian in 2021.She studied drama at the National School of Arts then received her Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts Honours at Wits University majoring in Production Design and Arts Management.Her career as a designer spans more than 9 years. She has designed sets and costumes for...
2024-03-0426 min
Fabulari. Der Wissenschaftspodcast zu Literatur und Film in der Romania48: Schreiende Stille. Ana Nenadović über Schweigen und Intersektionalität in Narrationen sexualisierter Gewalt
Kampagnen wie #metoo, #EndRapeCulture oder #balancetonporc, zahlreiche medial intensiv begleitete Gerichtsverfahren, neue Protestformen wie NiUnaMenos oder die Choreographie UnVioladorEnTuCamino: Auf den ersten Blick scheint das langwährende Schweigen rund um sexualisierte Gewalt gebrochen. Und doch wird nur ein Bruchteil aller Übergriffe gemeldet, victim blaming bleibt eine häufig angewandte diskursive Strategie und Scham, Angst und Trauma verhindern, dass die erlebte Gewalt sicht- und hörbar gemacht wird. Das gilt insbesondere für jene Betroffene, die intersektionaler Diskriminierung ausgesetzt sind. Auch in der Literatur ist sexualisierte Gewalt kein neues Thema. Ana Nenadović, Lecturer an der SOAS University of London, zeigt anhand...
2024-02-2924 min
OFM Artbeat (Kunsteklop)A home coming through art with Prof Zakes MdaThe centrepiece of Prof. Zakes Mda's solo exhibition Always The Sun at William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley is a celebration of his return to South Africa, following a long and illustrious academic career in the United States. Chief Curator, Chepape Makgato joins Yolanda Maartens in the OFM Art Beat to talk about this privilege to not only host the exhibition but also present various workshops together with Prof Mda. Details here: https://whag.co.za/
Always the sun is on until 23 Jan 2024.
2023-11-2205 min
People of NotePeople of Note - Justin FoxIn this week’s edition of People of Note, brought to you by Pieter Toerien Productions, I’ll be talking to travel writer, author, poet and photographer JUSTIN FOX who has just had a new book published called Place. This is a gripping travelogue in which Justin sets off to explore the places of his favourite books. All the big names are there – Olive Schreiner, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, JM Coetzee, Zakes Mda among others. Justin calls his book a love letter to South Africa, merging literature and landscape.
2023-11-0453 min
2023-09-1500 min
Camera d'ecoWays of Dying - Zakes MdaSalve a tutti, sono Vittoria Sessa ed attualmente sto terminando il mio ultimo anno di bachelor in lingua e letteratura inglese ed Italiana presso l’università di Ginevra.Oggi vorrei proporvi un romanzo che abbiamo letto durante un seminario di letteratura inglese su gli “autori sudafricani”. Il libro in questione si chiama “Ways of Dying” scritto da Zakes Mda. Quest’ultimo é uno scrittore e sceneggiatore sudafricano i cui lavori più conosciuti e apprezzati si concentrano sul fenomeno dell’apartheid, un lungo periodo di oppressione contro la comunità di colore in sud Africa da parte di un governo di etni...
2022-12-1004 min
News, entertainment and sportsZakes Mda on being black in AmericaZakes Mda shares his experiences of life in America, where he splits his time, and how he recalls the day George Floyd was attacked by American police in his wife’s hometown. City Press
2022-08-1306 minCity PressZakes Mda on being black in AmericaZakes Mda shares his experiences of life in America, where he splits his time, and how he recalls the day George Floyd was attacked by American police in his wife’s hometown. City Press
2022-08-1306 min
Victorian LegaciesEpisode 8 - Dr Dany van Dam - Postcolonial Neo-VictorianismIn this episode I'm joined by Dr Dany van Dam, where we discuss her research into Neo-Victorian works and postcolonial approaches. We talk about how her research interests developed, the Western-centric focus of the field, and how we can consider new ways to broaden the field. About my guest: Dany has degrees in English and History, and a research MA degree in Literary Studies from Leiden University (the Netherlands). In 2016 she gained her PhD in English Literature from Cardiff University, entitled Making It Right? Writing the Other in Postcolonial Neo-Victorianism. She is the European representative of...
2021-12-0444 min
The Short Fuse PodcastZakes Mda's Washboards and MIrrors at the South African Cultural CenterThe South African Cultural Center, New York CityThe value of cultural diplomacy has long been acknowledged as a critical component in the projection of a nation's identity. On September 23, 2021, the South African Consulate General in New York opened a Cultural Center at 845 Third Avenue. The inaugural exhibition, celebrating South Africa's Heritage Day, was an exhibition in the gallery of South African artist Zakes Mda's collection of collages, Washboards and Mirrors Zakes Mda is the pen name of Zanemvula Kizito Gatyeni Mda. Born in South Africa, the writer, painter, and composer also has roots in Leso...
2021-10-1921 min
The View Point#TheAfrikanNarrativeProfessor Zakes Mda has recently launched a book titled, AROLA. The book focuses on African history and draws parallels to what is being taught in schools. This book aims to correct false notions about African history and African civilization. . As the Prof Mda has said elsewhere, “It is important for the African child, both on the continent and in the diaspora, to internalize a new mindset that we have not always been slaves. Our history does not begin with slavery and colonization.” Although the book is targeted at middle grade and young adults, it is of i...
2021-10-0633 min
How We Grow with Kombe KapatamoyoCreating for Our Times (with Dr. Zakes Mda)Being creative not only comes with innovation, but it also comes with being open-minded, valuable, and impactful. In this episode, Dr. Zakes Mda takes us through the process of releasing our creativity. He talks about the importance of learning from others, creating from whatever ideas we have, and finding our voice to tell our story. He is a renowned creative who is not only a professor, he is also a playwright, novelist, composer, poet, film producer.... and an excellent cook! His novels have been translated into over 20 languages, and his contribution to the world of literature has gained him...
2021-08-0448 min
The Pink Gentlemen's Report - RELOADEDDear Black Boy: You're Not (Just) a Dick@OriginalMahumz and @ThatBastardSibu unpack the privilege of patriarchy and misogyny and how they have been conditioned in men and women. The episode looks at the effects of patriarchy and misogyny in the upbringing of young people . The topic title was inspired by a tweet fr.om author Zakes Mda. HONEST AND SENSITIVE!
Twitter: @pinkgentlemen
Instagram: the_pinkgentlemens_report
YouTube: The Pink Gentlemen's Report Podcast
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2021-06-191h 27
Dialogues: The David Zwirner PodcastSimphiwe Ndzube and Zakes MdaA conversation about the art of telling stories with the South African artist Simphiwe Ndzube, who works between Cape Town and Los Angeles and whose first solo US museum exhibition opens this month at the Denver Art Museum, and the renowned writer Zakes Mda, whose novels are widely read throughout South Africa and beyond. The two dissect their magical realist stories of post-apartheid South Africa and their experiences of America on the page and on canvas—and try to locate the source of their own magic. This episode is guest-hosted by Kyla McMillan, a dir...
2021-06-0247 min
1-54 Forum1-54 Forum New York 2019 | Reading: The Zulus Of New York1-54 Forum New York 3 - 5 May 2019The Zulus Of New York Zakes Mda (Writer, Poet and Painter) reads from his new novel The Zulus of New York (2019) with Tinashe Mushakavanhu (Writer-Scholar and 1-54 Forum Programme Curator) as respondent. The novel, based on historical events in the 1880s, follows Mpiyezintombi, a Zulu, as he is taken to England and later America as a performer. Image: © Brittany Buongiorno www.1-54.com
2019-05-101h 21
Skrywers en BoekeSkrywers en BoekeIlse Salzwedel gesels met Zakes Mda oor sy nuwe boek The Zulu's of New York. Rudie van Rensburg vertel meer oor sy jongste spanningsroman Medusa. Johan Myburg deel interessanthede uit die internasionale boekwêreld.
2019-03-2747 min
The Cheeky NativesNthikeng Mohlele: Michael KSend us a text“Although this, of course, was not strictly true: I so desired Maureen that at times I temporarily lost my mind, any sense of restraint. That I imagined, with a sudden swell of emotions and enlightenment, how desperately I craved Greek salad: cucumbers. Lettuce, onion rings and baby tomatoes, only dressed with her springs, her womanly eruptions resultant from our imagined carnal sieges.” – Nthikeng Mohlele, Micheal K: a novelThis month Nthikeng Mohlele will publish his sixth Novel llumination, which he describes as “…an exploration of the nature and pitfalls of an artistic life. The backbone of the nar...
2019-02-071h 10
EmlanjeniKG profiles legend professor Zakes Mda - 6 Nov 2017#YellowMonday Today we profile literary legend Professor Zanemvula Kizito Gatyeni Mda who is commonly known and referred to as Zakes Mda. South Africa's award-winning novelist and playwright, one of the most sought after African writers. His timeless storytelling continues to contribute to the continent's rich literacy heritage. He will join us in the studio to talk about his amazing books, his life and achievements
2017-11-1328 min
LiteratureSafm Literature live from the 2017 South African Book Fair:Deon Meyer presents his latest heavyweight titled “Fever”, Zakes Mda reviews and recommends 2 local reads for us, Mukoma wa Ngugi refers to a session he was part of earlier on at the fair on “Why we write as we do” then lastly, ‘The Big 11’ feature catches Sindiwe Magona talks about isiXhosa language.
2017-09-1050 min
LiteratureKim McCuster, Jojokhala Mei, Kim Farinah and Linda YohannessKim McCuster kick-starts the show talking about her book “Scarred-But Not for Life”; Jojokhala Mei (uncle to prolific Zakes Mda) reviews Rayda Jacob’s latest title “Joonie”; Print On Media’s Kim Farinah talks about the goings on behind this publishing house then lastly, Linda Yohanness (Ethiopian Writer) lets us in on her world as a writer.
2017-01-2955 min
Fine Minds'Revolting Music: Songs of Protest in the Global South' by Neo MuyangaComposer Neo Muyanga describes the role played by music in the national liberation struggles of India, South Africa, Brazil and Egypt in his lecture "Revolting Music: Songs of Protest in the Global South". Performing live and using archival sound material, he reflects on what sort of future there might be for revolutionary music in our time, a period marked by increasing cynicism about the possibility of change.
Muyanga was born in Soweto in 1974 and sang in choirs before starting musical theory lessons at high school and then studying philosophy and the Italian madrigal tradition in Trieste, Italy. He co-founded...
2016-10-3054 min
Fine Minds'Revolting Music: Songs of Protest in the Global South' by Neo MuyangaComposer Neo Muyanga describes the role played by music in the national liberation struggles of India, South Africa, Brazil and Egypt in his lecture "Revolting Music: Songs of Protest in the Global South". Performing live and using archival sound material, he reflects on what sort of future there might be for revolutionary music in our time, a period marked by increasing cynicism about the possibility of change.
Muyanga was born in Soweto in 1974 and sang in choirs before starting musical theory lessons at high school and then studying philosophy and the Italian madrigal tradition in Trieste, Italy. He co-founded the...
2016-10-3054 min
Interviews, Topics, Gossips and moreZakes Mda - Sithakela Isizwe NesivakashiZakes Mda - Sithakela Isizwe Nesivakashi ( Date: 18 July2016)
2016-08-2319 min
LiteratureZakes Mda, Botlhale Gabanakosi, Marilyn Honikman and Kemang wa LehulereHero slot: Zakes Mda-Award-winning Author "Little Suns", Book shelf: Botlhale Gabanakosi reviews "The Confessions of a sociopath" by ME Thomas, Book club: Marilyn Honikman-Book Marketer & Researcher "There Should have been five" and Kemang wa Lehulere- "2015 Jozi Book Fair"
2016-06-1254 min
Afternoon TalkIn The Spotlight: Zakes MdaThought provoking talk and debates with the listeners and high profile guests. Presented by Ashraf Garda.
2015-09-1141 min
Afternoon Talk#InTheSpotlight Natalia Molebatsi is a performance poet and writerBorn and raised in Tembisa, Johannesburg, Natalia Molebatsi is a performance poet, writer, workshop facilitator and programme director.Molebatsi has performed in South Africa, Senegal, Italy, Zimbabwe, Holland, Kenya, Nigeria, Azerbaijan and England. She has performed alongside Alice Walker, Jayne Cortez, Zakes Mda, Myesha Jenkins, Lebo Mashile, Sindiwe Magona, Napo Masheane and Simphiwe Dana, among others.In 2009, Molebatsi performed at the Women in Africa and the African Diaspora (WAAD) International Conference in Abuja, Nigeria. That same year, she also appeared widely in Italy, where she performed at the Mantova International Literature Festival, Calendidonna Women’s Festival, Genoa International Po...
2015-06-3036 min
2014 Edinburgh International Book FestivalZakes Mda at Edinburgh International Book Festival (edbookfest)No Artist is Slave to the State
Winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Zakes Mda is regarded as one of the most important novelists to have emerged on South Africa’s literary scene since the end of apartheid. The author of more than 20 novels and plays, Mda is now resident in the USA where he is a professor at Ohio University. He joins us today to discuss his output, including his new mystic-realist epic The Sculptors of Mapungubwe.
Part of our Voices from South Africa series of events.
2014-10-2300 min
Gateway to AfricaGateway to AfricaOn Gateway to Africa today we find out if ecotourism affects gender relations. A researcher on the subject joins us to explain her findings and we bring you an exclusive with Zakes Mda, world renowned South African author.
2014-10-1739 min
Edinburgh International Book FestivalZakes Mda (2014 event)
Winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Zakes Mda is regarded as one of the most important novelists to have emerged on South Africa’s literary scene since the end of apartheid. The author of more than 20 novels and plays, Mda is now resident in the USA where he is a professor at Ohio University. In this event, recorded live at the 2014 Edinburgh International Book Festival, you can hear him discuss his creative output, including his new mystic-realist epic The Sculptors of Mapungubwe.
2014-08-2800 min2014 Edinburgh International Book FestivalZakes Mda (2014 event)
Winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Zakes Mda is regarded as one of the most important novelists to have emerged on South Africa’s literary scene since the end of apartheid. The author of more than 20 novels and plays, Mda is now resident in the USA where he is a professor at Ohio University. In this event, recorded live at the 2014 Edinburgh International Book Festival, you can hear him discuss his creative output, including his new mystic-realist epic The Sculptors of Mapungubwe.
2014-08-2800 min
Badilisha Poetry – Pan-African PoetsKobus MoolmanKobus Moolman was born in 1964 in Pietermaritzburg. He is a senior lecturer in creative writing in the Department of English at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. He holds a PhD in English Studies from UKZN.
In 2013 he received the 2013 Sol Plaatje European Union poetry award. In the same year, he was the Mellon Writer in Residence at Rhodes University for three months, and he also published his most recent poetry anthology, Left Over (Dye Hard Press). The collection has been widely acknowledged as his strongest to date.
In 2012 he was commissioned by the Performing Arts Centre of the Free Sta...
2014-07-2400 min
Skrywers en Boeke11 Dec 2013Ilse Salzwedel praat met Leon van Nierop oor sy jongste roman PLESIERENGEL. Corina van der Spoel gesels met Zakes Mda oor sy roman THE SCULPTORS OF MAPUNGUBWE. Terrance April se Afrikaskrywer van die week is Naguib Mahfouz van Egipte.
2013-12-1146 min
Begin An Spellbinding Full Audiobook And Elevate Your Mindset.The Madonna of Excelsior by Zakes MdaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/256498to listen full audiobooks.
Title: The Madonna of Excelsior
Author: Zakes Mda
Narrator: Robin Miles
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hours 43 minutes
Release date: July 1, 2011
Genres: Literary Fiction
Publisher's Summary:
In 1971, nineteen citizens of Excelsior, a farming community in South Africa's rural Free States, were charged with breaking apartheid's Immorality Act, which forbade sexual relations between blacks and whites on the pretext of avoiding miscegenation. The women were jailed as they awaited trial and their white counterparts were released on bail. In the end, the state withdrew the charges, but the accused women's lives, already...
2011-07-019h 43Enjoy Amazing Full Audiobooks in Literature, Literary FictionThe Madonna of Excelsior by Zakes MdaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/256498to listen full audiobooks.
Title: The Madonna of Excelsior
Author: Zakes Mda
Narrator: Robin Miles
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hours 43 minutes
Release date: July 1, 2011
Genres: Literary Fiction
Publisher's Summary:
In 1971, nineteen citizens of Excelsior, a farming community in South Africa's rural Free States, were charged with breaking apartheid's Immorality Act, which forbade sexual relations between blacks and whites on the pretext of avoiding miscegenation. The women were jailed as they awaited trial and their white counterparts were released on bail. In the end, the state withdrew the charges, but the accused women's lives, already...
2011-07-019h 43The Seattle Public LibraryZakes Mda: 'Cion'South African novelist, Zakes Mda read from "Cion," his sixth novel and the first to be set in the United States, Monday, Oct. 1 at the Central Library. Mda is an award-winning writer of plays, novels, poems, and articles for academic journals and newspapers. Toloki, the professional mourner and hero of Mda's "Ways of Dying," settles down with a family in Middle America and uncovers the story of the runaway slaves who were their ancestors.
2007-10-1500 min