Funda Banzi

New stories are on the menu! 😋📖
Grab a kids’ combo meal at your nearest participating restaurant, and collect the latest children's books written and illustrated by local authors and illustrators. Original tales made for little readers with big imaginations! ✨

Warm congratulations to Babalwa Nqoro, recipient of The Mzi Mahola Versatile Voice Award at the Mandela Bay Literary Awards 2025. Your craft is dynamic, fearless and richly expressive — a rare voice that moves effortlessly between styles, themes, and forms. Your talent honours the legacy of Bro Mzi Mahola and inspires all who listen and read.

Siwujongile umsebenzi owenzayo kubantwana obahlohlayo esikolweni nabatsho ngemibongo engoowagrazula.

Qhuba ungayeki kwaye ungadinwa.

Mhle kakhulu umsebenzi wakho mbhali.

A standing ovation for Nandipha Kolisile, winner of the Community Storyteller Award at the Mandela Bay Literary Awards 2025. You carry the stories of our people with heart, honesty, and humanity. Your voice uplifts the community and keeps our shared histories alive. We celebrate your gift and your impact.

Akungoku wabalisa amabali abangakwaziyo mabakubuze Garret okanye kwaNal'ibali.

Sithi huntshu kuwe Ntlanekazi.

Congratulations to Flow Wellington, our Publisher of the Year at the 2025 Mandela Bay Literary Awards. Your vision, dedication to authors, and tireless effort behind the scenes have given life to stories that deserve to be heard. Thank you for championing literature and empowering voices across our nation and internationally.

Halala to Nkosinathi Menziwa, honoured with the Best Indigenous Language Award at the Mandela Bay Literary Awards 2025. Your commitment to preserving our mother tongue through literature does more than entertain as it safeguards identity, culture, and heritage.
Umsebenzi wakho ukwizinga eliphezulu. Amabali akho ayakh kwaye enza umfundi azibuze imibuzo ngokusingqongileyo.

May your work continue to uplift and revive the languages of our people.

Amade ngawetyala!!!

Congratulations to Lwando Dlepu, winner of the Best Poetry Award at the 2025 Mandela Bay Literary Awards. Your pen is rhythm, fire, memory, and music. You have woven emotion and wisdom into verses that speak to the soul. May your voice continue to echo across pages and hearts.

Bravo to Charity Booi, recipient of the Best Non-Fiction Award at the Mandela Bay Literary Awards 2025. Your work has challenged thinking, elevated truth, and given voice to lived realities that matter. Thank you for using literature to inform, enlighten, and empower. We honour your dedication to authentic storytelling.