Heritage in words: books that keep our South African story alive

SEPTEMBER is Heritage Month, a time to reflect on the traditions, languages and stories that shape the nation’s identity.

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While celebrations often highlight music, food, dance and clothing, books remain one of the strongest mediums for exploring heritage.

Literature gives readers a deeper understanding of history, struggle and possibility. Books preserve oral traditions, document resistance and imagine futures. They connect generations to the pain of the past and the hope of the present.

Below are books that capture different aspects of South African heritage and deserve attention this month.

I WRITE WHAT I LIKE

Steve Biko

Steve Biko’s collection of essays is central to the philosophy of Black Consciousness. Written in the 1970s, the pieces challenge systems of oppression and emphasise the importance of African identity and pride.

Biko’s voice continues to resonate more than four decades after his death. His words call for dignity, justice and the reclamation of culture, making the book a vital read this month.

COUNTRY OF MY SKULL

Antjie Krog

Antjie Krog’s work documents the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, one of the most significant chapters in South African history. Combining personal observation, testimony and poetry, the book captures the emotional and political weight of truth-telling after apartheid.

Krog examines guilt, forgiveness and memory, showing how reconciliation remains a central part of SAs story.

COLLECTIVE AMNESIA

Koleka Putuma