Breaking the silence: must-read South African books amplifying women’s voices

As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month this August, it’s the perfect time to honour the stories, experiences and contributions of women - especially through the power of literature.

Books have long served as vessels for empowerment, education and elevation, allowing voices that are often overlooked to be heard, acknowledged and celebrated.

SA female authors, in particular, have carved out spaces in literature where women can see themselves reflected - in all their complexities, struggles and triumphs. 

From deeply personal memoirs to thought-provoking fiction and from self-help titles to powerful poetry, SA women writers are creating works that challenge societal norms, inspire critical thinking and spark change. 

These books not only amplify the voices of women, but they also offer tools for healing, growth and self-discovery. 

This Women’s Month, we spotlight some of the most impactful books by SA women that serve to empower, educate and elevate. 

Whether you want to gain a deeper understanding of the socio-political landscape for women in the country, seek motivation to pursue your dreams or simply yearn for stories that resonate, these reads are essential companions on the journey. 

Let the pages of these books remind us of the resilience, brilliance and power of women across generations. 

“Call Me Woman” by Ellen Kuzwayo

This is more than just a memoir - it is a historical document that captures the lives, voices and resilience of millions of black SA women who suffered under apartheid.

Through the lens of her journey, Kuzwayo unveils the generational pain of dispossession, displacement and systemic dehumanisation.

She was not only stripped of her family’s land in the Orange Free State - which had been in her lineage for almost a century - but she also lost the vision of a safe, peaceful future for her children.

And at the age of 63, she was imprisoned under the notorious Terrorism Act, her "crime" never disclosed. Yet throughout the narrative, Kuzwayo's courage never falters.

Her voice remains powerful, steady and deeply reflective.

The book refuses to be a singular story. It extends itself to become a tribute to the unrecorded, often erased histories of SA women - the domestic workers, the mothers, the activists, the silent survivors. 

It’s not only a must-read during Women’s Month, but essential for anyone seeking to understand the depth of SA’s struggle through the eyes of the women who lived it. 

Part culinary delight, part mystery, and wholly original, Sally Andrew’s “Recipes for Love and Murder” introduces us to the unforgettable Tannie Maria - a warm-hearted, fifty-something recipe columnist with a knack for solving mysteries.

Set in the charming and dusty Klein Karoo, Maria’s world revolves around food, advice and the occasional dash of danger. 

When a reader seeking help with her abusive relationship ends up murdered, Maria finds herself drawn into a small-town mystery filled with secrets, suspects and simmering tensions.

With the help of her friends and a reluctant local detective, she embarks on a journey to uncover the truth - all while sharing her delicious recipes, peppered with Afrikaans idioms and heartwarming humour.

But beneath the cosy exterior of this story lies a deeper exploration of real issues - domestic violence, loss and healing in a rural South African setting.

Andrew masterfully blends genres to create a novel that is as comforting as a hearty stew, yet as sharp as a kitchen knife. 

It’s a celebration of female agency, local flavour and the quiet power of everyday women who refuse to stay silent.

“Period Pain” by Kopano Matlwa 

“Period Pain” tackles the emotional and psychological scars inflicted by systemic failure. In the book, we meet Masechaba - a young doctor grappling with depression and disillusionment as she works within SA’s collapsing public health system.

She faces patients suffering from unimaginable traumas, and she is haunted by her own mental unravelling, compounded by the violence and injustice that plague her country.

Through Masechaba’s voice, Kopano Matlwa interrogates xenophobia, gender-based violence (GBV), sexual assault and the weight of expectations placed on black women to remain strong, even as the world crumbles around them. 

The novel does not offer easy answers but instead invites the reader into the fractured psyche of a woman pushed to her limits. 

“The Girl Without a Sound” by Buhle Ngaba

This is a poetic and empowering tale about a young girl of colour searching for her voice in a world that silences her.

Aimed at young black girls in SA, the story reimagines the fairy tale, replacing helplessness with strength, imagination and self-discovery. 

Through courage and magic, the silent girl learns to speak her truth - a powerful metaphor for reclaiming identity and voice. 

Ngaba, an actor and storyteller, has created more than just a children’s book. It is a literary and cultural offering meant to empower a new generation.

The book is both a visual and emotional treasure, perfect for parents, teachers and mentors seeking to nurture resilience, expression and confidence in young readers.