Reading
Every book South African radio talked about this month: the authors interviewed, the titles recommended, and what was said about each, with the audio.
126 titles · 248 airings · 5 stations · last 30 days
Book · non-fiction · South African
Stephen Bookey Siddeley
A book on Shoprite Checkers' rise as an iconic success story, covering its data-driven strategy, market power, labour and privacy criticisms. The author says the company's executives were pleased with the account despite some criticisms left unaddressed.
“The subtitle is quite emphatic: how shopwriting.”
Titles a host, guest or caller told listeners to read.
Book · memoir · South African
Nelson Mandela
Named as a companion text to read alongside other books by people involved in South Africa's transition, described as documenting that period. The speaker calls it an important book that must be read alongside those works.
“It's an important book, and it's an important document that must be read alongside Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom, for example”
Book · historical · South African
Craig Higginson
A novel about a British-South African historical setting and a character who changes over the story, exploring why people return to national touchstones. The host strongly recommends it as spectacular writing with interesting history.
“And I cannot recommend this book highly enough.”
A novel with a mystery and family drama strand plus a 1879 military history strand, following two soldiers haunted by ghosts on the way to battle. The author discusses its themes of the South African past and a haunted land, and the host calls it a beautiful piece of writing.
A novel mainly set in Zululand, around the Anglo-Zulu War battlefields, about a 17-year-old girl who has disappeared. It mixes family drama, a murder mystery and Zulu history, and explores how people present themselves to the world.
Book · memoir · South African
Popina Kumanda
A memoir by Popina Kumanda about her harrowing but inspiring survival story, recently published by Penguin Random House. The host urges listeners to get a copy.
“All I can say is that you need to get your hands on a copy of Popina's book.”
A memoir by Popina Kumanda about her and her older sister's escape from rebels in the DRC and their pursuit of freedom in South Africa. The author describes writing it as a painful act of breaking herself down to describe what happened.
A memoir by a young author about a child refugee's flight from the DRC, with harrowing content. The station's book club picked it, and the author discusses her happy early childhood and the journey that followed.
Book · non-fiction
Richard Rothstein
A guest is reading this history of US housing and law, covering redlining and Jim Crow laws. The guest calls it a fascinating read that shows how bias in law also appears in South Africa.
“It's just the most fascinating read where you realize that some of the struggles we have in the world around how bias finds its way into law”
Book · non-fiction
Stormy Omartian
A guest describes The Power of a Praying Woman as a book she returns to whenever she is confused, especially its chapter on forgiveness. She says it helps her with prayer, parenting and centering herself.
“I find that it's that one book where, if I'm ever confused about anything, I just go to it.”
A guest says she repeatedly returns to this book for guidance, especially its chapter on forgiveness. She finds it helps her centre herself and raise her children with faith.
A guest describes The Power of a Praying Woman as a book she returns to whenever she is confused, reading chapters on forgiveness and on praying and acting on faith. She says it helps her as a mother.
A guest says this is the book she returns to whenever she is confused, reading chapters on forgiveness, prayer and faith. She describes it as helping her with her life and with being a mother.
A guest says this is the book she returns to whenever she is confused. She finds its chapter on forgiveness helpful, along with its guidance on prayer and handling life as a mother. The book is aimed mainly at women.
Book · historical fiction
Maggie O'Farrell
A novel set in Ireland beginning in 1865, following a family of surveyors working for the British and a magical wood with a spring. The host praises the crisp, poetic writing and the recurring themes of the author's earlier books, and recommends it.
“And it's called Land, and it is a book on which I was very glad to land and stay.”
Writers who came on to talk about their own book.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Nandanda Rambani
A memoir-style book by actress and TV personality Nandanda Rambani about generational trauma, unlearning and healing while raising children, and about pushing back against curated online ideas of motherhood.
“And her new book, From One Mother to Another, is interested in the parts of motherhood that we don't always put online.”
Book · non-fiction · South African
Dr. Babalwa Maholwana
The author discusses her book The After 40 Dilemma, focusing on blended families and why people in their forties can find it hard to open their minds and hearts to new partners. She says openness also means being willing to unlearn old habits.
“So there is a lot of openness, yes, that needs to happen, but openness means including being open to unlearning.”
A real-life account of one woman's transition into her 40s, covering her race against her biological clock while juggling blended family parenting and adult learning. The author, a doctor, is interviewed on the Daily Discourse about her career path by age 40.
Dr. Babalwa Maholwana is introduced as the author of The After 40 Dilemma, a book the show will read over the next few weeks, with an author conversation planned about women's lives.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Ashley Khan
An author interview about a book on the making of Paul Simon's Graceland album, marking its 40th anniversary. The host urges listeners to get the book, which is out now in bookstores.
“Go get the book. It's out now in bookstores.”
A book by Ashley Khan about the making and impact of Paul Simon's Graceland album, including the cassette that sparked Simon's interest and the album's controversies. The host calls the album seminal and the author's research a strong piece of work.
An author interview about a book on the making of Paul Simon's Graceland album and the story behind it. The host tells listeners to go and get the book, which is out now in bookstores.
Ashley Kahn discusses his book on the making and cultural impact of Paul Simon's Graceland album, tied to its anniversary and a South African publisher's edition. The conversation covers the album's role during the late 1980s political change.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Adrian Gore
A business and leadership book by Discovery founder Adrian Gore, presenting research on what brings out people's full potential and how to give readers hope. Richard Sutton, who read it before publication, calls it a masterclass.
“And my honest response was: This is a masterclass.”
Book · memoir · South African
Lulama Marley
A slim memoir subtitled Portrait of the Black Family, following three generations of a family in Guguletu's Native Yards. It describes township life unblinkingly, with music as a recurring theme, and its lyrical prose is praised as readable and beautiful.
“it's one of those books that describes township life in an unblinking way.”
A memoir about three generations of a Black family's township life in Guguletu, with honest portrayal of difficulties as well as happiness, family and music. The speaker praises its lyrical, beautiful prose and says it is readable for its quality alone.
A memoir built from many stories of loss, grief and displacement, unified by the author's sense of never feeling alone. The author discusses its title and says it is sold at major bookstores.
A memoir following three generations of one South African family, drawing on the author's childhood displacement from Cape Town townships and a family secret. It is told from the perspective of a four-year-old and of the author as an adult.
A slim memoir portraying three generations of one family from Guguletu's Nyanga township, covering hardship, joy, music and family relationships. The reviewer praises its lyrical, clear-eyed prose and calls it readable for its quality.
Book · memoir · South African
Anna Marie van Neckerk
The author discusses her book, first published in Dutch, then translated into Afrikaans and English, which grew from trips to South Africa and a friend's funeral. She describes how writing from the Netherlands gave her the distance to see the bigger picture. The book is published by Tafelberg.
“I think what is important what was important for me writing this book was visiting South Africa and then moving away from it to write about it”
A memoir of childhood in apartheid South Africa and the author's growing awareness of the system's injustice. The book also works through her guilt over her family's political loyalties and her own complicity.
A memoir framed as faction, tracing the author's upbringing in an Afrikaans family supportive of apartheid and her unlearning of it. It investigates crime and violence in South Africa, prompted by the murder of a friend and his mother on a farm.
A memoir told in an adult voice, recalling a child's observations of apartheid South Africa. It investigates guilt, complicity, and links between the country's violent past and present. The book club host calls it a book that will stay with them for a long time.
Newest airing first: everything a host, guest or caller named with something to say about it.
Book · memoir · South African
Nelson Mandela
Named as a companion text to read alongside other books by people involved in South Africa's transition, described as documenting that period. The speaker calls it an important book that must be read alongside those works.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Nandanda Rambani
A memoir-style book by actress and TV personality Nandanda Rambani about generational trauma, unlearning and healing while raising children, and about pushing back against curated online ideas of motherhood.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Stephen Bookey Siddeley
A book on Shoprite Checkers' rise as an iconic success story, covering its data-driven strategy, market power, labour and privacy criticisms. The author says the company's executives were pleased with the account despite some criticisms left unaddressed.
21 airings · Cape Talk, 702
Book · historical · South African
Craig Higginson
A novel about a British-South African historical setting and a character who changes over the story, exploring why people return to national touchstones. The host strongly recommends it as spectacular writing with interesting history.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Dr. Babalwa Maholwana
The author discusses her book The After 40 Dilemma, focusing on blended families and why people in their forties can find it hard to open their minds and hearts to new partners. She says openness also means being willing to unlearn old habits.
3 airings · SAfm
Book · memoir · South African
Popina Kumanda
A memoir by Popina Kumanda about her harrowing but inspiring survival story, recently published by Penguin Random House. The host urges listeners to get a copy.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction
Richard Rothstein
A guest is reading this history of US housing and law, covering redlining and Jim Crow laws. The guest calls it a fascinating read that shows how bias in law also appears in South Africa.
Book · non-fiction
Samin Nosrat
A cookbook by its author that teaches the reasons behind cooking rather than just following a recipe. The host presents it as a guide to understanding why each ingredient is used.
Book · non-fiction
Stormy Omartian
A guest describes The Power of a Praying Woman as a book she returns to whenever she is confused, especially its chapter on forgiveness. She says it helps her with prayer, parenting and centering herself.
5 airings · Cape Talk, 702
Book · non-fiction
Tracy Follows
A trend analyst discusses Tracy Follows's book on keeping personal agency and degrees of freedom in a world increasingly ceded to machines. He argues that people should identify and preserve the small choices they still control, and that offline community experiences are growing as a response to dependence on systems.
Book · historical fiction
Maggie O'Farrell
A novel set in Ireland beginning in 1865, following a family of surveyors working for the British and a magical wood with a spring. The host praises the crisp, poetic writing and the recurring themes of the author's earlier books, and recommends it.
Book · historical fiction
Maggie O'Farrell
Described as the novel that followed Hamnet. The host feels it received less attention than it deserved because listeners were still focused on the earlier book.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Ashley Khan
An author interview about a book on the making of Paul Simon's Graceland album, marking its 40th anniversary. The host urges listeners to get the book, which is out now in bookstores.
4 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Adrian Gore
A business and leadership book by Discovery founder Adrian Gore, presenting research on what brings out people's full potential and how to give readers hope. Richard Sutton, who read it before publication, calls it a masterclass.
Book · memoir · South African
Lulama Marley
A slim memoir subtitled Portrait of the Black Family, following three generations of a family in Guguletu's Native Yards. It describes township life unblinkingly, with music as a recurring theme, and its lyrical prose is praised as readable and beautiful.
5 airings · Cape Talk
Book · literary fiction
Marlon James
A novel set in Jamaica about two gay men who are savagely attacked by a homophobic mob in 1988. The guest calls it transcendently good and one of the best novels in a long time, but warns that its violence and explicit sex make it a tough read.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · thriller
Liz Moore
A literary thriller with elements of police procedural, described as more about character than plot. It follows a woman's struggle with her self-awareness and her difficult family relationships, and the guest calls it an absolutely beautiful book.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · dark comedy
Percival Everett · 2021
A listener-chosen book by Percival Everett, described as an unlikely dark comedy zombie story about lynchings in the American South and across the United States. The speaker says they love its interesting ideas, though they admit it is a weird pick.
Book · non-fiction
Edward Fishman
The host discusses Chokepoints, a book by Edward Fishman about economic warfare, and considers whether South Africa's geographic position gives it real leverage as a choke point. The host argues that the advantage is limited.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction
Robert Kiyosaki
A guest says the book resonated with them because it challenged family sayings about being rich versus poor. They describe it as teaching hustle, work and a richer perspective, in contrast to the saying that one must learn to be poor.
Book · memoir · South African
Anna Marie van Neckerk
The author discusses her book, first published in Dutch, then translated into Afrikaans and English, which grew from trips to South Africa and a friend's funeral. She describes how writing from the Netherlands gave her the distance to see the bigger picture. The book is published by Tafelberg.
4 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Nikki Brive
A book by Nikki Brive on desire and the factors driving it in couples, including medical and trauma-related causes of sexual difficulties and the role of talking openly. The host urges listeners to find it in bookstores.
2 airings · 702
Book · non-fiction · South African
Diane Kutzer
A former music journalist, Diane Kutzer, writes about her brother-in-law Anthony Murray, who was lost at sea with two other crew 11 years ago. Anthony wanted a book written, and the title came from his own recordings. The book blends music, adventure, memory and loss.
8 airings · Cape Talk, 702
Book · non-fiction · South African
Zama Mkize
Zama Mkize discusses her debut book, which grew out of grief after her mother died and a plan that fell apart. It explores how to recover when life's plans fail and how patience helps in building a plan B.
Book · memoir · South African
Prev Reddy
An actor known as Auntie Shamilla on TikTok shares a personal story of growing up queer, brown and ambitious in a conservative South African Indian household and building a comedy career. The title comes from a phrase the author used in a show before the book.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · memoir · South African
Melinda Ferguson
A memoir by Melinda Ferguson about her grief after her husband Matt died, centred on a moment of release involving a baby bird. Guests describe it as moving and hopeful, though hard to read, and advise listeners to have tissues ready.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Nyimbini Mabunda
A leadership book built on conversations with 15 senior CEOs, organised around 15 themes such as authenticity, purpose and courage. The author says it is written in his own voice and offers a way to think through current leadership problems, including for people who are not CEOs.
3 airings · SAfm
Book · non-fiction
Richard Rothstein
The guest, an author, is reading The Color of Law while on tour in the US and calls it a fascinating read. It examines redlining and Jim Crow laws, and how bias in law shapes lives, drawing parallels with South Africa.
Book · non-fiction
Graham Farmelo
A biography of physicist Stephen Hawking, written by physicist Graham Farmelo with family approval. The host calls it fascinating and balanced, showing Hawking's flaws alongside his genius.
Book · comedy
Patrick DeWitt
A novel about a man who drives a car to Canada and takes a road trip across America to say goodbye to his troubled family, meeting people in crisis along the way. The host praises its warmth, lovely jokes and great dialogue.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · comedy
Patrick DeWitt
A Western with jokes that the reviewer read earlier and remembers as a wonderful book, shortlisted for the Booker Prize about ten to fifteen years ago.
Book · thriller
Chris Hammer
A satisfying thriller set in Victoria, Australia, that touches on Australian dynasties and robber baron families. The reviewer found the characters great and the story coming together well, at just under 500 pages.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · thriller
Ian Fleming
The host re-reads the first James Bond novel and compares Fleming's physical description of Bond with the actors who have played him. He asks whether any of the current candidates fit that description.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Philip Harrison and Christopher McMichael
A history of Johannesburg told through the stories of more than 100 mayors, from the city's mining-town beginnings through colonial, apartheid and democratic eras. Presented as well researched yet accessible, and timely ahead of local government elections.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Martin Plaut · 2020
An author discusses his biography of Dr. Abdullah Abdurahman, a South African politician and community leader, drawing on archive research. He argues the book's subject deserves rediscovery and offers copies as giveaway prizes.
Book · non-fiction
Spencer Johnson
A short book, described as a metaphor for life lessons on adaptability, about people who complain when their cheese is moved versus those who find new ways to find more. The speaker calls it a great read worth giving time to.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Alan Paton
A speaker recalls that a teacher gave them a copy of Cry the Beloved Country. Reading it was life-changing and was their first real engagement with politics.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Adriana Marias
A book on the history of human exploration, from the origins of life to the space age, described as a South African take on Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. The guest presents it as a book that links exploration to making money.
Book · fiction
Tsitsi Dangarembga · 1988
A guest describes Nervous Conditions, a novel by Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga, as the book that first captured his experience as a student at a model school and as a first-generation university entrant. He says it spoke to psychological struggles better than any other book he knows.
Book · literary fiction
Rebecca Perry
A reviewer calls May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry, a poet's debut novel, their favourite of the Booker shortlist. The book follows a contemporary curator and an unnamed historic king, written in poetic, hard-to-classify prose.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · crime
Daniel Woodrell
A speaker says they absolutely love Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell and that they are working through a Booker Prize shortlist. The book is described in the context of Hill Billy Noir, with a 16-year-old at its centre.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Ashley Kahn
Author Ashley Kahn discusses his book about Paul Simon's album Graceland and its making, based on about 80 interviews. He describes the research process, the album's studio story, and his time touring South Africa with Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Ashley Kahn
Music historian Ashley Kahn discusses his new book on the making of Paul Simon's Graceland album, published in South Africa by Jonathan Ball and now in store. Host Martin Myers interviews him about why the book matters and its personal connections.
Book · non-fiction
Eckhart Tolle
The host recalls reading a philosopher's book about the pain body, an inherited and collective pain passed between generations until it is resolved. The host plans to revisit it and describes its ideas as deep and beautiful.
2 airings · 702, Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction
Elif Shafak
A new book by author Elif Shafak, launched with a live interview hosted by Pippa Hudson at an Exclusive Books event. The host praises Shafak as a profound, deep-thinking author and says the full interview is available on the Exclusive Books Facebook page.
Book · memoir
Prince Harry · 2023
Callers and hosts criticise Prince Harry's memoir Spare as a public airing of family grievances, arguing it made reconciliation harder and that he should apologise rather than attack his father and family.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Pilani Nongogo
A 376-page academic non-fiction work examining the history of rugby in South Africa, centring the experiences and contributions of Black rugby players and communities often overlooked in mainstream sporting accounts. The author discusses its four parts, 20 chapters, and its exploration of rugby, colonialism, racial exclusion and heritage.
Book · memoir · South African
Maria Erasmus
Former international cricket umpire Maria Erasmus discusses her book, which includes her picks for best Test, ODI and South African XIs drawn from players she stood in matches for.
4 airings · Cape Talk
Book · thriller · South African
Abigail Dean
A novel in which a woman, Isabel, is asked to prepare a victim impact statement after the man who assaulted her is caught. The novel gives her a chance to reclaim control over a situation in which she was powerless.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · thriller
Abigail Dean
Abigail Dean is interviewed about her novel Girl A, which tells of a daughter's escape from a family home where her father had chained her up. The host calls it one of her three excellent, disturbing books.
Book · non-fiction
Bronnie Ware
The show returns to the fifth regret in Bronnie Ware's book, about wishing one had allowed oneself more happiness. The segment explores what holds people back from enjoying life and how to stop postponing joy.
3 airings · 702, Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction
Vosier Tembaguayo and Michael Hinton
The authors discuss their book about small players who became business titans, told through 13 stories from Africa and elsewhere. Each chapter ends with questions for readers to reflect on, and the authors hope readers will make notes and relate the stories to their own lives.
Book · cookbook · South African
Isabella Niehaus
The author discusses her cookbook of food stories and recipes, from a savoury smoked snoek cheesecake to a pork and pistachio terrine, and a final chapter of recipes sent in by friends. The host calls it an extraordinary book for its stories as well as its recipes and urges listeners to look for it in bookstores.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · memoir · South African
Mario Cesare
A nature book about the bush and its unique creatures, published by Jonathan Ball. Listeners are urged to look for it in bookstores.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction
Josh Ireland
A caller recommends this book about the plot to kill Stalin's rival Leon Trotsky, covering his exile in Mexico, his life with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and the assassination by Ramón Mercader. The caller finds the assassination story fascinating.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · satire
John Lanchester
A reviewer discusses John Lanchester's latest novel about a wealthy London couple, where a widow discovers her late husband's secret life through a satirical TV show. The reviewer praises its black humour and its sharp skewering of contemporary concerns.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · thriller
Tess Gerritsen
A reviewer recommends Tess Gerritsen's latest Martini Club thriller, about retired American spies in the fictional Maine town of Purity. The book follows an old operation involving Russians and poisons, blending cozy crime with noir elements. The reviewer has enjoyed all three books in the series.
Book · memoir
Elizabeth Gilbert · 2024
A guest describes this book by Elizabeth Gilbert as a gift that spoke to them while grieving a lost partner. The guest says it felt like a message of comfort and calls it a highlight of their reading this year.
3 airings · 702, Cape Talk
Book · memoir · South African
Abigail Palata and Lukhanyo Calata
A book written by Abigail Palata and Lukhanyo Calata. The speaker recommends it and describes a vivid, emotional scene from it about a three-year-old boy watching people gather at his father's funeral.
Book · memoir
Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone's memoir, the first part of which is called The Steps, is described as recounting a hard early life and the struggle to win the role of Rocky Balboa.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Hendrik More
A keto cookbook and lifestyle guide offering recipes and advice on adapting to a ketogenic diet, including substitutes for sugar and suggested serving sizes. The guest explains which artificial sweeteners suit keto eaters.
Book · non-fiction
Chad Orzel
A physics professor explains his book on teaching quantum physics to a dog, presenting the ideas through a dog's everyday perspective as a source of wonder rather than confusing maths.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Lizette Rabe
A non-fiction collection of stories about remarkable South African women, including an enslaved woman who became an entrepreneur and owned farms. Published by Tafelberg, it is praised as an inspiring collection and is recommended for the weekend, available in good bookstores.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Lizette Rabe
A compilation of short biographies of South African women, from prehistory to the present, covering figures in politics, the arts, media and sport. The author urges men as well as women to read it to understand the struggle women have faced, and it is presented as a book to read a story from each night.
Book · literary fiction
John Irving
A listener-style guest describes A Prayer for Owen Meany as a thick, funny and moving book about a boy with a strange voice who believes he is an instrument of God. The speaker has read it at least seven times and calls it an incredible story with a surprising ending.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Malcolm Fenter
A new book by Dr Malcolm Fenter that looks behind South African place names, organised by province, towns, rivers and mountains. The host describes it as quirky, reader-friendly and great fun to explore.
5 airings · Cape Talk, 702
Book · non-fiction · South African
Nikki Verd
The author discusses how AI-generated evidence and voices make it hard to trust what we see and hear. She argues AI is here to stay, is neither good nor bad, and offers ways to navigate it, such as skepticism, safe words and pausing before authorizing transactions.
7 airings · Cape Talk, 702
Book · non-fiction · South African
Jacob Dlamini
A caller refers the host to Ascari by Jacob Dlamini, which he says outlines that many current ANC leaders were apartheid spies, making apartheid crimes hard to prosecute.
Book · non-fiction · South African
A business book written as a letter to the author's younger self, sharing lessons on entrepreneurship such as accepting failure and the importance of selling. The author discusses its key chapters and says entrepreneurs facing growing pains will find it reassuring.
2 airings · SAfm, 702
Book · non-fiction
Linea Patel
The author, Dr Linia Patel, is interviewed about her book, which includes scone and quinoa recipes and focuses on holding on to hope for long-term weight maintenance. The host calls it a very important book. Copies are stocked at Exclusive Books and on Takealot.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Lindy Quartz
A historian's book on DF Malan, the former Dutch Reformed minister who led the National Party to power in 1948. The author is interviewed about whether Malan's commitment to segregation was consistent or hardened over time.
Book · non-fiction
Malcolm Gladwell
A geologist guest says Outliers was hard to get into at first but has become his favourite book. He preaches it, and it introduced him to the 10,000-hour rule and to tracking what he is good at.
Book · children's · South African
Naliedi Masobam Sibi
A children's book about bullying, with lessons from each character at the end. The author describes a companion online platform that also speaks to adults about bullying in workplaces.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Rebecca Gore, Edwin Cameron, Suhana Surajpal
A co-authored book on prisons and crime in South Africa, introduced when the co-author Rebecca Gaul joins the programme. It addresses how incarceration and minimum sentencing affect the prison population.
3 airings · 702
Book · non-fiction · South African
Nikki Verd
A local non-fiction book argues that artificial intelligence is neither simply good nor bad, but can empower and harm people at the same time. The author explains why she calls AI a frenemy and rejects both the hate and the uncritical hype.
Book · non-fiction
bell hooks
A guest says they are reading bell hooks' book All About Love, which she describes as a theorist and academic's take on love. The guest argues society does not talk enough about what love means today.
Book · non-fiction
Namon Abe Andrea
The author discusses his book, which argues that the human need for social belonging has been hijacked by modern technology, turning the like button into a dopamine-driven addiction. He describes it as a quick read and talks about how validation shapes people's thinking.
Book · memoir · South African
Fredoz Munda
A sports memoir of South African footballer Janine van Wyk, the most capped African footballer, male or female, with 185 international appearances. It was told to sports journalist Fredoz Munda, who discusses her childhood in Johannesburg and her career playing in African townships and abroad.
Book · fiction · South African
Sam Shakong
A collection of 15 short stories by Sam Shakong about his village, Pogwane, his years in exile and his return to see the changes there. The author discusses how the stories are arranged in three perspectives.
Book · short stories · South African
Sam Shakong
A collection of short stories by sociologist, art collector and writer Sam Shakong, set back home in the village. The host previews that the author will join the show to talk about the latest anthology in the literature corner.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Umbali Mapoli
A South African registered dietitian discusses her book Inkonjane, a nutrition guide to heart health. It argues that South Africans can eat well cheaply using foods they already have, and covers salt reduction, sugary drinks, alcohol and cooking methods.
Book · non-fiction
Asne Seierstad
A 501-page book about Russia and its wars, described as forensic investigative reporting that gives the reader a much deeper understanding of Russia. The speaker says they learnt an enormous amount from it.
Book · literary fiction
Sebastian Faulks
A literary novel set in 1946 Palestine, following a British infantry officer overseeing relations between Jewish and Arab communities as Britain's mandate ends. The speaker has taken great delight in the author's work.
Book · thriller
Angie Kim · 2020
A courtroom drama about a mother raising a child on the extreme edge of the autism spectrum, praised for its insight into parenting. The speaker says it is well worth seeking out.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · children's · South African
Christina Castle
A children's book that teaches young readers about investing through an ant and acorn story. It is the third in a series, each book covering a different investing concept, such as speculating versus investing.
Book · non-fiction
Yuval Noah Harari
A guest names this earlier Harari book as a precursor to Nexus and calls it particularly enlightening.
Book · non-fiction
Yuval Noah Harari
A guest is asked why they read Nexus, which traces information networks from the Stone Age to AI. The guest says they have long admired Harari and began reading about how information and technology shape societies as disruptive technology became clear.
Book · biography · South African
Tom Lodge
An academic interview about a new biography of Walter Sisulu, begun by the late Tom Lodge and completed by the guest. The guest explains the title, the cover photo choice, and the aim of reaching ordinary South Africans, arguing Sisulu has been underrated.
Book · biography · South African
Tom Lodge
A new biography of ANC leader Walter Sisulu, begun by Tom Lodge and completed by Professor Roger Southall after Lodge's death. The guest argues it reveals Sisulu's organising skill and steely character, and that he has been overshadowed by Mandela.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Greeve Chila
A co-written book examining the International Monetary Fund's role in Africa, arguing from the historical record since the 1960s about debt servicing, structural adjustment and austerity policies.
2 airings · 702, Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Diane Kutzer
A true story about Anthony Murray and two crew members, Reg Robertson and Jared Payne, who vanished at sea in January 2015 while sailing a catamaran from Cape Town to Thailand. The author discusses the search and the events surrounding the loss.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Nicolaus Bauer
A free guide to South Africa's local government system, aimed at helping voters make an informed choice before the elections. It covers the metros, the municipal structure and the coalition landscape in simple terms.
2 airings · Cape Talk, 702
Book · children's · South African
Lalo Mogoko
An author discusses her children's book Butterfly Heart and its translation into nine South African languages, including the choice of words for grief and the deep connection to the heart. Listeners are told it is sold in good bookstores and online, and that readings will be announced later.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Numpumle Mkize
Author Dr Numpumle Mkize discusses her book Evolving Voices, which examines leadership, family relationships and cultural values. It covers generational experiences, social transformation, and women's leadership and empowerment, stressing equal opportunities and shared responsibility for gender equality.
2 airings · SAfm
Book · non-fiction
A guest calls this small book one of their favourites and a moving read that shaped how they got into reading. They recommend it as a warm, quick read and a perfect gift for a teenager.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Njabulo Ndebele
A sports book by Professor Njabulo Ndebele that applies philosophical thinking to boxing. It traces the lives of South African boxers from Mdantsane, following their poverty, training, and their relationships with trainers and managers.
Book · non-fiction · South African
A political study by two political scientists that recounts former President Zuma's rise and presidency, examining his personality, ethnic background, populism and ability to mobilise. It draws on more than 50 interviews with insiders and runs to about 500 pages.
Book · memoir
Andre Agassi
A sports autobiography by Andre Agassi, praised for its brutal honesty and its candid account of his relationship with tennis and his father. The host recommends it to listeners, and a guest says they would read it again.
Book · historical fiction
Louisa Traeger
A novel about Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain, told through Holloway Prison, the courtroom and flashbacks to her abusive relationship. The author explains how she restructured the story to make it gripping while staying close to history.
4 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Tara Russ
The author discusses coalition politics in South Africa and how parties will negotiate power nationally and locally. She urges young South Africans to research parties and vote responsibly. The host calls it a recommended read.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · children's · South African
Buno Seleisho
A children's book about a girl's first period, following her journey from surprise to confidence while staying bubbly and brave. The author discusses how it challenges stigma and helps children, boys included, talk openly about puberty. It was developed through a collaboration with a feminine hygiene brand.
4 airings · Cape Talk, 702
Book · travel · South African
David Bristow
A new travel guide to the Cederberg region, published as it has just hit the shelves. The author joins the show to share advice on how best to navigate this part of the world.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Tembi Boutelle
A practical business book for professionals who want to build businesses while still employed. The author explains how to test a business idea with customers and reduce upfront costs using deposits and outsourced delivery.
2 airings · Power FM
Book · memoir · South African
Aubrey Paul Pedi
The author, who is blind, talks about his book on his experiences and the challenges persons with disabilities face. He says it shows what people with disabilities can achieve. An e-book version is said to be coming to an online bookstore.
2 airings · Kaya 959
Book · memoir
Khalida Popal
A non-fiction book by former Afghan footballer Khalida Popal about her love of football and the danger of playing it under Taliban rule. The presenter calls it fascinating and says she describes her passion beautifully.
Book · science fiction · South African
Anton Hur
A debut novel starting in Cape Town about nanotherapy that remakes patients' bodies and raises questions of self, memory and identity. The reviewer finds the ideas dense and fast-moving but the short book richly packed.
Book · thriller
Tim Sullivan
A DS George Cross thriller set in Bristol, where a man is found dead in his bookshop. The reviewer finds the series sweet, charming and old-fashioned, and suggests starting with the earlier books.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Max du Preez
A new book by Max du Preez reflects on growing up in a conservative Afrikaner household and on the unravelling of white power in South Africa. The interview covers white and Afrikaner nationalism, investigative journalism, and mental health among journalists. The host says it is well worth reading.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction
Stormy Omartian
A guest describes The Power of the Praying Woman as a book she keeps returning to. She picks a chapter when confused and finds the forgiveness chapter helpful for her life and spiritual handling of things as a mother.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Greeve Chelwa and Vijay Prasad
A business book review on The Money Show examines this book, which argues that the International Monetary Fund has harmed Africa. The co-author Greeve Chelwa joins the show to explain that the argument rests on the historical record rather than assumptions.
3 airings · Cape Talk, 702
Book · non-fiction
Vijay Prasad
A book review segment on How the IMF Strangled Africa, which argues that the International Monetary Fund has harmed African countries. The co-author, an academic, explains that the case rests on historical evidence from the 1960s onward.
Book · non-fiction
Michael Gerber
A business book that argues it is a myth that a brilliant technician can run their own business simply by selling technical skills. The speaker raises it as an example of why people are forced into business without being suited to it.
Book · fiction · South African
Sven Axelrod
The host has read this quirky novel and found it absolutely fantastic, while warning that it will not suit everyone. It is one of the two books the host recommends right now.
Book · South African
Sol Plaatje
Discussed as a novel Sol Plaatje finished writing in 1920, examining relationships between Black and white people and between men and women. Some readers call it South Africa's first feminist novel.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Sol Plaatje
Discussed as the written record of Sol Plaatje's response to segregation and the 1913 Natives Land Act. The speakers argue it preserves his view of events and offers a more optimistic vision of what was happening.
Book · non-fiction · South African
Martha Evans
A new biography of anti-apartheid activist Lillian Ngoyi, written by a professor who examines the rumours about her relationship with Nelson Mandela and her political legacy. The host calls it an important contribution and says it should be added to any collection of struggle icons.
Book · poetry · South African
Atambile Masola
The author discusses Inheritance, a reissue of her poetry collection Ilifa under an international publisher, with the same cover and poem order. She describes launches in Cape Town and Johannesburg and a planned UK release.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · children's · South African
Buno Silecho
A children's book written by South African writer Buno Silecho that helps young women navigate the beginning of puberty. The host introduces it ahead of an upcoming literature corner conversation with the author.
Book · memoir · South African
Kim Ballantyne
A memoir of loss and hope by Kim Ballantine, published by Nerd and Cross, that the host calls utterly compelling. It is available in print and as an e-book from bookshops and online retailers.
3 airings · Cape Talk
Book · memoir · South African
Lebo Diseko
Presented as a memoir of uprising and exile, covering the author's parents' lives including their marriage across the Botswana border and joy as resistance during apartheid.
2 airings · Cape Talk
Book · non-fiction · South African
Muiseni Lozi
The book is described as an uncompromising account of the author's own story that also shines a light on societal issues. The host calls it a powerful book and a great selection for summer reading.
Book · crime · South African
Deon Meyer
Deon Meyer's latest novel, Scorpio Rising, has just hit the shelves. The host describes his interview about it as fantastic and says the conversation is available as a podcast.
5 airings · Cape Talk
Book · thriller · South African
Deon Meyer
Deon Meyer discusses his novel Blood Safari, about an expat woman searching for her long-lost brother and the bodyguard protecting her. He explains how the story was updated for a South African setting in its TV adaptation.
Book · crime · South African
Deon Meyer
A listener named Cheryl says 13 Hours was her first Deon Meyer book. She read it in a caravan at a Kalahari campsite and could not put it down, so she went on to buy more of his books.
Book · crime · South African
Deon Meyer
Deon Meyer discusses his Benny Griessel novel Touch Wood, in which the alcoholic detective is stable and happily married but working to repair his relationship with his son. Meyer describes his research into addiction, including attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Book · crime · South African
Deon Meyer
Meyer explains that the drunken cop Benny Ghissel was created as a minor character to spoil the protagonist's fun. The character grew so much in the writing that he later got his own novel.
locl transcribes six South African radio stations as they air. Every hour a model reads the stretches that name a book, film or series and records each titled work that was discussed, reviewed or recommended, with the verdict and who gave it. Quiz clues, name-drops and the stations’ own programmes are left out. Titles and names are as the transcript heard them, so a spelling can be off. Opinions belong to the speakers. Press play to hear the opening window of the conversation; the transcript link has the rest. Only conversations whose audio is still held are listed, so a title leaves the page with its audio.
Updated Wednesday, 28 October at 11:59 SAST. Showing 30 days.
