The Greatest South African Literature
This selection of South African literature encompasses all literary forms, genres and periods. It includes works acclaimed by readers, writers, critics and scholars in South Africa and around the world.
Note, this list covers the literature of the country of South Africa, not the region of Southern Africa.
The Greatest South African Literature focuses on the country's major creative works—such as novels, novellas, plays, long poetry and collections. You may also be interested in The Greatest African Literature or The Greatest South Asian Literature.
The list is continually updated as new works are discovered and appreciation of older works evolves. Please note the revision date when citing the list.
Latest update: July 3, 2025
The 33 greatest works of South African literature
1947
Mafeking Road and Other Stories
by Herman Charles Bosman, South Africa
Story collection
1948
Cry, the Beloved Country
by Alan Paton, South Africa
Novel
1958
A World of Strangers
by Nadime Gordimer, South Africa
Novel
1964–1989
The Courtney Novels
by Wilbur Smith, South Africa
Novel
1972
Sizwe Bansi Is Dead
by Athol Fugard, John Kani, Winston Ntshona, South Africa
Play
1973
Looking on Darkness
by Andre Bink, South Africa
Novel
1974
Dusklands
by J. M. Coetzee, South Africa
Novel
The Conservationist
by Nadine Gordimer, South Africa
Novel
1977
In the Heart of the Country
by J. M. Coetzee, South Africa
Novel
1979
A Dry White Season
by André Brink, South Africa
Novel
Burger's Daughter
by Nadine Gordimer, South Africa
Novel
1980
Waiting for the Barbarians
by J.M. Coetzee, South Africa
Novel
1981
July's People
by Nadine Gordimer, South Africa
Novel
1982
"Master Harold"...and the Boys
by Athol Fugard, South Africa
Play
1983
The Life and Times of Michael K
by J.M. Coetzee, South Africa
Novel
1984
Another Country
by Karel Schoeman, South Africa
Novel
1985
The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist
by Breyten Breytenbach, South Africa
Novel
1986
Ancestral Voices
by Etienne van Heerden, South Africa
Novel
1987
You Can't Get Lost in Cape Town
by Zoë Wicomb, South Africa
Story collection
1990
Age of Iron
by J.M. Coetzee, South Africa
Novel
1994
The Master of Petersburg
by J.M. Codtzee, South Africa
Novel
1997
Kafka's Curse
by Achmat Dangor, South Africa
Novel
1999
River of darkness
by Rennie Airth, South Africa
Novel
Disgrace
by J.M. Coetzee, South Africa
Novel
2000
The Heart of Redness
by Zakes Mda, South Africa
Novel
2001
Bitter Fruit
by Achmat Dangor, South Africa
Novel
2003
Elizabeth Costello
by J.M. Coetzee, South Africa
Novel
2004
The Good Doctor
by Damon Galgut, South Africa
Novel
The Cry of Winnie Mandela
by Njabulo Ndebele, South Africa
Novel
2007
Coconut
by Kopano Matlwa, South Africa
Novel
2008
Thirteen Hours
by Deon Meyer, South Africa
Novel
2010
Young Blood
by Sifiso Mzobe, South Africa
Novel
2021
The Promise
by Damon Galgut, South Africa
Story collection
