Pagecast conversations at the KBF 2025: "The Authors Rewriting Childhood in South Africa"

Loading player...
In this special episode of Pagecast, we bring you an inspiring conversation recorded live at the 2025 Kingsmead Book Fair. Hloniphile Mzangwa is in conversation with four South African children’s authors who are transforming childhood through stories that celebrate empathy, inclusion, cultural pride, and representation.

Meet the incredible voices behind these powerful books:

Lara Nathan, author of Jamie Shai and his Superpower, shares how her special-needs son inspired a story rooted in empathy and inclusion.

Professor Claudine Storbeck, founder of the Centre for Deaf Studies, explores the importance of Deaf culture and sign language in children’s literature and education.

Salamina Mosese, acclaimed actress and author of Disaster at Gogo’s Spaza, brings township family life vividly to the page through her storytelling.

Refiloe Moahloli, award-winning author and founder of Twelve Animation Studios, celebrates multilingualism, joy, and self-confidence in her work.

Together, they answer thought-provoking questions about the importance of representation in South African children’s literature, how social themes like inclusion and identity are woven into their stories, and the core values they hope young readers will embrace.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or book enthusiast, this episode offers a look at the stories shaping the future of childhood in South Africa.

#KingsmeadBookFair #SouthAfricanAuthors #ChildrensBooks #InclusionInLiterature #RepresentationMatters #EmpathyThroughStories #AfricanChildrensBooks #LiteraryFestival #BookLoversSA #StorytellingForChange #BookPodcast
30 May English South Africa Books · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

OBF 2025: Wamuwi Mbao interviews Foluso Agbaje (The Parlour Wife)

Pagecast was at the 2025 Open Book Festival, where we spoke with authors about their writing journeys and the stories they share with readers. In this first episode, Wamuwi Mbao interviews Foluso Agbaje about her moving novel, The Parlour Wife. Set in Lagos in 1939 during the start of World…
10 Sep 17 min

Behind Prison Walls by Edwin Cameron, Rebecca Gore and Sohela Surajpal

In this episode of Pagecast, Shaun de Waal interviews Justice Edwin Cameron about his book, Behind Prison Walls. More about the book: Since the Zuma presidency weakened crime intelligence, violent crime surged, with murder rates rising over 75%. South Africa faces severe femicide, and most murderers evade justice. Prisons fail…
1 Sep 40 min

The Shadow State by Jeff Wicks

This week on Pagecast, Qaanitah Hunter is in conversation with Jeff Wicks to talk about his new book, The Shadow State. More about the book: On 23 August 2021, a quiet, hardworking single mom was shot down as she drove home. Her name was Babita Deokaran, chief accountant at the…
25 Aug 39 min

These Heavy Black Bones by Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell

In this episode of Pagecast, Keanan Hemmonsbey interviews Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell about her prize-winning memoir, These Heavy Black Bones. More about the book: This is not a story about making history. Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell was once a double British Champion and the first Black woman ever to swim for Great…
18 Aug 31 min

Rubies and Rain by Busisekile Khumalo

This week we have the incredible Sue Nyathi chatting with Busisekile Khumalo to discuss her novel, "Rubies and Rain." More about the book: Ruby has to deal with the news of her father’s death and her sex scandal simultaneously trending on social media. Vimbai has been captured and Nosihle returns…
28 Jul 32 min