In a major boost for the Eastern Cape’s literary landscape, 11 emerging authors from across the province have been selected to receive comprehensive publishing support from the provincial government, paving the way for local storytellers to enter national and international markets.
The initiative follows a rigorous provincial competition organised by the department of
sport, recreation, arts and culture (Dsrac), which drew more than 180 manuscript
submissions from aspiring writers.
Announced during the opening gala dinner of the three-day provincial book fair in
Hogsback at the weekend, the selection process was managed independently by commercial publishers to evaluate content quality, structural readiness, and market potential.
“All submitted manuscripts were processed through to the publisher, who determined
whether the works were fit for publication based on content and structure,” arts and culture
MEC Sibulele Ngongo said.
Beyond printing and distribution to local bookstores and public libraries, the
department is equipping local writers with essential digital hardware.
Sixteen writers will receive laptops to support content creation, made possible through
key public-private partnerships.
To offset fiscal constraints, Dsrac partnered with the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) Seta, which contributed R1-million toward publishing costs and book fair logistics,
alongside corporate sponsors who provided digital hardware.
“Our goal is to see the craft of our authors reach national and international stages,”
Ngongo said.
“The Eastern Cape has a rich heritage of producing renowned writers, and we are committed to ensuring our emerging talent gets the platform they deserve.”
The programme also directly targets the province’s early childhood reading crisis.
This year’s Hogsback Book Fair featured a dedicated “Children’s Corner,” designed to
build reading comprehension kills among young pupils.
Ngongo said Dsrac would roll out developmental, writing, and financial literacy workshops to help authors turn their literary craft into sustainable micro businesses.
“We are not just publishing for these authors; we are also ensuring they can make a
business of their craft and be self-sustainable,” she said.
While curriculum integration remains under the auspices of department of education, Dsrac supports local distribution by purchasing books directly from authors and publishers to stock public libraries and revive community book clubs.
Here is the list of the 2026 cohort of selected Eastern Cape authors: Kwanda Mbete from KuGompo City, Abigail George from Gqeberha, Kariega’s Chantelle Mafieta and Sipho
Amos Qomoyi, Lebohang Leoaetie from Matatiele, Ngqamakwe’s Mila Magida,
Aggrey Mavundla from Mount Ayliff, Centane’s Bulelani Matshoba, Mawabantu Boy Maxwell from Ebhongweni, Sithembiso Ngcobondwana from Sterkspruit, and Thenjiswa Ntwana from Komani
