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South African poetry since 2014
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Photo of Koleka Putuma by Andiswa Mkosi. Photo of Rosa Lyster by Ben Stanwix. Photo of Francine Simon supplied by author.

Announcing debut collections from Koleka Putuma, Rosa Lyster & Francine Simon

August 15, 2016

uHlanga's stable of new South African voices is growing. Today we are thrilled to announce the upcoming publication of three debut collections from exceptional young women: Koleka Putuma, Rosa Lyster, and Francine Simon.

Lyster's collection, Modern Rasputin, comes out late-November 2016. Simon's collection, Thungachi, is slated for release in February 2017. Putuma's as-yet-untitled book will be out in April 2017.

Rosa Lyster (b. 1984) is a writer born in Durban. She is currently a PhD student at the University of Cape Town, and works as a staff writer at Prufrock, and as contributor to the Sunday Times, the Hairpin, Casimir and Between 10 and 5. Her poems have appeared in the uHlanga magazine, the Toast, and elsewhere. She writes an essay a week on her website, rosalyster.com. Follow her on Twitter at @rosalyster.

Francine Simon (b. 1990) grew up in Durban. Her poetry has been published widely in South African magazines and anthologies. Currently she is a PhD candidate at the University of Stellenbosch. Her debut reading will take place at David Krut Projects on 18 August 2016, with Stephen Symons. She will also be appearing at the uHlanga showcase at the McGregor Poetry Festival on 27 August. Follow her on Twitter at @WriterGirlRose.

Koleka Putuma (b. 1993) is a director, writer and performance poet. In 2014, she became South Africa's first national slam poetry champion. Her poem "Water" won her the PEN SA Student Writing Award (video below). Her plays – which include UHM and Mbuzeni – resulted in a nomination for the Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for Best New Directors at the annual Fleur Du Cap Theatre Awards in 2015. She is currently a resident poet and creative director of poetry collective Lingua Franca, and the co-founder of The Papercut Collective theatre company. Follow her on Twitter at @KPutuma.

We are exceptionally proud to have all three writers on board with uHlanga. Expect more news about each collection as their release dates approach.

← uHlanga x David Krut Poetry Evenings #3: Shirmoney Rhode & Helen MoffettAnnouncing: Prunings, by Helen Moffett →

About uHlanga

uHlanga is a small South African poetry press run by Nick Mulgrew.

Our books are available to order from all retail bookstores in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Our distributors are Protea Distribution in Cape Town and can be reached at +2721 001 7618.

Outside of South Africa, many of our books are available print-on-demand through the African Books Collective.


On social media

“It must be both. That is what I strive for. One of the ways I have discovered how to do this is to be as plain and direct as possible to name the thing or things as they are. To force attention so that the reader sees or hears, smells, differe
“It must be both. That is what I strive for. One of the ways I have discovered how to do this is to be as plain and direct as possible to name the thing or things as they are. To force attention so that the reader sees or hears, smells, differently. Or smells the old tired thing in a new way. Shklovsky called it ‘defamiliarization’. That’s exactly it. Rendering the real with sharp and stripped, concentrated focus – through the language of poetry – weirdly, magically, releases or activates this ‘dreamlike quality’ that you speak of.” Read our latest #uHlangaInterview with acclaimed poet, Kobus Moolman, with the full interview on our website via our link in bio. #uHlanga #FallRiskPoems #poetry #poemspoemspoems #KobusOdendaal #poet #interview #uHlangaInterview
Due to demand, we have organised a special Sunday afternoon event on 31 August for @mantipoetry's 'Rootbound' in central Johannesburg, in which the author will be in conversation with @kopano.maroga. 

Thank you to our friends at @Bri@bridgebooks 🍃
Due to demand, we have organised a special Sunday afternoon event on 31 August for @mantipoetry's 'Rootbound' in central Johannesburg, in which the author will be in conversation with @kopano.maroga. Thank you to our friends at @Bri@bridgebooks 🍃 we can't wait to see you there! #RootboundPoems #MantiMoila
“An independent Scottish publisher, Batis Books, with a focus on Southern African books will launch in early 2026.” – The Bookseller

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of our sister press, Batis Books, which lands in 2026
“An independent Scottish publisher, Batis Books, with a focus on Southern African books will launch in early 2026.” – The Bookseller We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of our sister press, Batis Books, which lands in 2026 🔥 Batis will publish fiction, nonfiction & other literary work by Southern African writers. 🐦‍⬛ Read more at our link in bio. #uHlanga #BatisBooks #Batis2026

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