Where the underrepresented
Here’s a round-up of places and sites in South Africa where African literature is not lacking
There is little joy in recognising the tragic irony that comes with being handsand-feet on the floor of a bookshop, staring at the bottom shelves of every section from “African” to “Women” because the African-authored book did not make it to more intuitive shelves such as “Fiction” or “Classics”.
There is no joy in turning to an independent bookstore in South Africa, only to have to navigate reserves of colonial narratives about “the Dark Continent” in search of the stories written by the most marginalised. Finding titles by underrepresented authors is harder than it should be.
Luckily, there are a growing number of bookstores and cultural institutions championing the voices of marginalised storytellers.
Here is a list of some of the more accessible independent booksellers around the country — both brickand-mortar and digital — that are collecting, promoting and advancing underrepresented literature. In the words of Fela Kuti: “Who no know go know.”
JOHANNESBURG
Afrikan Freedom Station
Founded by husband-and-wife team Steve Kwena Mokwena and Nirvana Singh, the Afrikan Freedom Station is in west Johannesburg near Sophiatown. The Station serves as a meeting place, an exhibition space and a per- formance space. Its location is a central aspect of its ethos. It is also home to the Afrikan Freedom Library, which is stocked by donations.
Bridge Books
Xarra Books
The Collector’s Treasury
If the idea of navigating up to eight floors of mostly old suburban bric-abrac (including an entire wall where Ayn Rands are laid to rest) seems like an adventure, the Collector’s Treasury is just that. Located near Maboneng on Commissioner Street in downtown Johannesburg, the shop is for the reader with no particular title in mind and a lot of time to spare.
CAPE TOWN