Brent Meersman’s memoir of a humble yet eccentric upbringing in a Milnerton, Cape Town, flat in the 1970’s and 1980’s reads as a stirring eulogy to his schizophrenic mother, yet also as a vivid snapshot in time.

His adoring mother, a horse-loving artist, received only rudimentary treatment and Brent, his brother and father had to look to each other for support. His father battled alcoholism and unemployment, at one point taking the whole family to Belgium, where he had found work, only for them to return a year later, defeated. Traversing a home environment constantly on high alert for something to go wrong, waiting for his mother’s fragile mental stability to shatter, not finding support in his father, whose drinking and absences from home took a punishing toll on the family, bred in the author an almost heroic resilience.

This delicate yet brutal memoir, filled with wry humour, will resonate with many readers.

Die laanie Bernie Fabing by Vannie Kaap wil wiet: Is alles oraait byrie hys? Dis ’n bundel van hul mees popular memes en sluit oek nuwe eksklusiewe content in, wat nooit aanlyn sal verskyn nie.

Vannie Kaap is ’n plaaslike brand wat gewild geraak het toe hul inhoud op Facebook viral gaan. Vannie Kaap, gestig in 2015, se doel is om Kaapse kultuur te eer, maar dit het oek ’n movement geword om ander kulture oor die Cape Coloured se herkoms en taal te leer. Die deure vannie eerste Vannie Kaapwinkel het in 2017 oepgemaak en daar’s tans winkels innie V&A Waterfront, Cape Gate en Canal Walk.

“Is alles oraait byrie hys?” is die tagline wat gepaard gaan met die Vannie Kaap brand – aanlyn en op merchandise. En as jy nog nie van hulle gehoor het nie . . . raak wys!

Duduza. Bopha. Imbiza. Phapha. Asixoliseni. Amapopeye . . . What is the power of a single word?

Six days a week, advertising creative Melusi Tshabalala posts a Zulu word on his Everyday Zulu Facebook page and tells a story about it. His off-beat sense of humour, razor-sharp social observations and frank political commentary not only teaches his followers isiZulu but also offer insight into the world Melusi inhabits as a 21st century Zulu man.

Over the past few months he has built up a big and a loyal following that include radio host Jenny Crwys-Williams and Afrikaans author Marita van der Vyfer. He pokes fun at our differences and makes us laugh at ourselves and each other.

Melusi asks critical questions of everyone, from Aunty Helen, Dudu-Zille to Silili (Cyril Ramaphosa) and even Woolworths (why are their aircons always set on ‘jou moer’?). His fans love him for his honesty and commitment to pointing out subtle and overt forms of prejudice and racism.

Melusi’s Everyday Zulu holds up a mirror that shows South African society in all its flaws and its sheer humanity. Most importantly, he shows the power of words and that there’s umzulu in all of us!

This year we are in for a treat: After 25 years, Madam & Eve is still going strong and are back with more hilarious cartoons looking back at another year of the crazy rollercoaster that is daily life and politics in South Africa. Madam & Eve cartoons appear regularly in the Mail & Guardian, The Star, The Saturday Star, Herald, Mercury, Witness, Daily Dispatch, Cape Times, Pretoria News, Diamond Fields Advertiser, Die Volksblad, EC Today, Kokstad Advertiser and The Namibian.

Ons weet dat die maan iets met die getye te doen het, maar het jy geweet dat jy met volmaan altyd dieselfde kant van die maan sien? Of dat weerligstrale vol vernietigende elektrisiteit is, maar dat ’n elektriese paling ’n lading van tot 600 volt kan vrystel?

Hierdie feite is deel van ’n magdom kennis oor die natuur, fisiese wetenskap en die ruimte wat die RSG-program Hoe verklaar jy dit? reeds jare lank beantwoord. Hierdie publikasie bevat ’n keur uit die honderde vrae van nuuskierige luisteraars wat deur kundiges verduidelik is om die wêreld minder vreemd te maak, want nie alle kennis van die wêreld om ons is voor die hand liggend nie. Daar is honderde verskynsels in die natuur en ruimte wat vra om verklaar te word. Dan praat ons nie eens van die mensgemaakte uitvindings soos die internet, persoonlike rekenaars, globale posisioneringstelsels, selfone, radiogolwe, teorie van evolusie, relatiwiteitsteorie, narkose en mense in die ruimte nie. Agter die alledaagse skuil die fassinerende werking van kragte en wette en die wetenskap in werking: Wat bepaal dat ’n mens se hart aan die linkerkant van die liggaam sit? Hoekom vries water in ’n dam van bo en nie van onder af nie? Kan gene deur omstandighede gemodifiseer word?

Hoe Verklaar Jy Dit? is ’n boek wat jou belangstelling in die wêreld om jou sal prikkel. Dit is ’n boek wat op sy eie gelees kan word, wat op die koffietafel kan lê en wat saam kan gaan kamp om wonderlike gesprekke om die braaivleisvuur uit te lok.

Here’s another batch of David Muirhead’s unrespectable creatures, following his successful earlier volume of hilarious animal accounts (The Bedside Ark ). It offers a wealth of accurate information on each of the profiled creatures, while revealing their softer sides and the near-human frailties from which they suffer – and temptations for which they fall. Delightful, humorous pen-and-ink sketches accompany many of the stories.

Muirhead’s mix of humour, mythology, anecdotal tales and folklore builds quirky and captivating portraits of each animal, and makes for a lighthearted, funny – as well as illuminating – read.

This new anthology, offering something different from the standard collection of animal CVs, will appeal to anyone interested in humorous writing and the natural world, no matter their age (from teen to adult) or level of knowledge.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the smash-hit 50 People Who Stuffed Up South Africa, the original 50 People team brings you an all-new sequel: 50 People Who F***ed Up South Africa: The Lost Decade.

As witty, enlightening and entertaining as all the franchise books, this Christmas compendium is an eye-watering indictment of our tragicomic “last lost decade”, a time of ruinous and unprecedented national decline. Whereas it took more than 350 years to come up with the list of shame for the first book, they needed just ten more for the next 50 names, from Shaun Abrahams to Zuma, Zuma and Zuma. Shot through with the architects and beneficiaries of state capture – Magashula, Mahlobo, Mahumapelo, and not forgetting the Guptas – it is also features crisp takedowns of the individuals who represent the standout scandals in this time: the like of Nkandla, Marikana, Life Esidimeni, Steinhoff, Bosasa and VBS Mutual Bank.

The end result is a readable, accessible overview of the South Africa’s recent political and socioeconomic landscape. Because sometimes humour and a clearly painted picture really is the best coping mechanism…

50 Blertse Blou is ’n keur uit Blouwillem se tong-in-die-kies-rubrieke in Beeld, Die Burger en Volksblad.

Dié rubrieke het van hom ’n berugte openbare persoonlikheid gemaak. Hy spot met onder andere aktuele sake in Suid-Afrika.

Lerato Tshabalala first came to our attention in 2011 with her ‘Urban Miss’ column in the Sunday Times, and since then she has by turns entertained, exasperated, amused and confounded her fans and critics alike.

Now, with her first book, she looks set to become the national institution she deserves to be. With her customary wit and keen insight into social, political and cultural affairs, Lerato shines a bright – and controversial – light on South African society and the quirky ways of the country. She is brutally honest about her experiences as a black South African in post-apartheid Mzansi, and no subject is too sacred for her to explore: annoying car guards, white-dominated corporate South Africa, cultural stereotypes, economic and racial inequality, and gender politics, among many other topics, come under her careful – and often laugh-out-loud – scrutiny.

The Way I See It is written for people who are hungry for a book that is thought-provoking, funny, irreverent and truly South African all at the same time. It is light but full of depth: like a supermodel with an MBA!

A humorous look at the place names of South Africa, written and illustrated by Ann Gadd.

Origins, mysteries & folklore surrounding the sometimes odd names that appear on the South African landscape.

These days, you might know him better as a tractor-driving Gentleman Farmer, but Jeremy Clarkson wasn't always a horny-handed son of the soil.

Not at all . . .

Back in the day Jeremy was far more likely to be found gunning around the world in a haze of burnt rubber and petrol fumes. But life as a globe-trotting petrol-head also meant he was forced endure more than his fair share of foolishness, frustration and downright bafflement. And, while Jeremy may not a patient man, you have to ask why anyone should have to consider issues as diverse and perplexing as:

• The downsides of relaxing in a bath of crude oil
• Why fishing is for people who hate their kids
• Whether there are noise-cancelling headphones with the power to silence James May
• Why saving the planet means soggy paper straws and no more children
• What to do about the rambler who stole his marrow

But as puzzling and exasperating as life on the road often seemed to be, you could always count on Jeremy to set the world to rights with a rare wit and unique understanding. And at full throttle. Just don't expect it to all go smoothly . . .

Gus Silber, well-known journalist and wordsmith, has over the last few years written some extraordinary commentary pieces on his journeys around his neighbourhood in Johannesburg and his digital wanderings through the global village we call social media, and posted them to Facebook.

Gus’s followers know what insightful and frankly charming pieces he writes, and we’re bringing those digital missives to the page and discerning masses. This is a collection of over 50 of Gus’s most-loved social media posts – covering everything from understanding house-breaking hadedas, the meaning of pathos, deciphering Joburg style, and everything in between.

My F*k, Marelize, you’ll want to get your hands on this one.

Die geliefde dominee Barend Vos se sketse oor die lewe van ’n predikant en sy gesin in ’n plattelandse gemeente het tot op hede in vyf bundels verskyn. Dié sketse verskyn die afgelope tien jaar elke maand in die tydskrif LIG, met illustrasies deur Fred Mouton.

In Liefdegroete, Grootseun word ’n dertigtal van Vos se Grootseun-stukke wat die afgelope jare in Lig verskyn het, byeen gebring as keur van die meer as 100 wat sedert sy laaste versameling verskyn het. Elke rubriek word aangebied as ’n brief wat deur “Grootseun” geskryf word aan sy ouers. Die sketse het meestal ’n sterk humoristiese aanslag en gefokus op ’n plattelandse kerkgemeenskap waarvolgens “Grootseun” die Jongdominee van die gemeente is. Die ruimte is dus plattelands, kerklik en geskryf met ’n deernisvolle aanbod wat eie is aan Vos se skryfstyl.

Winefulness is the new mindfulness. Cancel the hot yoga and pick up a cool Pinot Grigio - sometimes all you need is a nice glass of wine. Through the good times and the bad, it's always there to pick you up and it's always got your back. So enjoy this collection of wine wisdom for the soul, and learn to view the world through rose-tinted glasses. As the old saying goes, where there's a wine there's a way. Includes inspiration such as: - It isn't wise to keep things bottled up - No Champagne, no gain - Life is a Cabernet, after all - Every cloud has a Syrah lining - Do things for the right Rieslings

Simon's Cat: Beyond The Fence
With over 20 million hits on YouTube in little over a year, 'Simon's Cat' is a genuine word-of-mouth phenomenon. Fans from all over the world have fallen for this adorable but anarchic feline who will do just about anything to be fed. Here, drawings and humour come alive on the page in this new collection of drawings.

Random Kak 2
The hugely popular Trevor Romain is back with more random memories about growing up in South Africa in the 70s and 80s. In this follow-up, he offers a humorous and unique take on some of the sights, sounds and experiences that have made living in this country so inspiring. Remembering what it means to be South African has never been as cool as it is in this illustrated memoir of a colourful past.

Comedy Club
Award-winning cartoonist Jerm's spot-on analysis and commentary provide a highly entertaining way to digest the buffoonery of politics in South Africa. No one, neither left nor right, in government or opposition, can escape the acerbic observations of this provocative artist. Jeremy Nell's work has appeared in several online and offline publications, such as the Sunday Times, eNCA, TIME, The Star, City Press, Beeld, The Times, Rolling Stone, Daily Dispatch, Daily Maverick, The New Age, EWN and others.

The Personals reveals how classified ads are not just a few commercial lines of text in print or online - they can be a treasure trove of fascinating human stories; stories of love, loss, loneliness, redemption and hope. Some people do Sudoku, others watch Netflix. Brian O'Connell loves the classified ads. In an era of spin doctors and press releases, celebrities and social influencers, the classified ads can open a door into the lives of ordinary people with extraordinary stories. What draws Brian to the classified ads are the intriguing human stories he finds there, the unexpected twists and turns, the personalities, the curious objects and the range of human experience waiting to be discovered. The Personals is a diverse collection of compelling stories about the people and the lives behind the small ads.

Away, you scullion, you rampallion, you fustilarian! Along with penning some of the most sublime passages in all of English Literature, Shakespeare was a master when it came to casting a wicked comeback or hurling a barbed insult. Whether it's Prospero calling Caliban a 'freckled whelp, hag-born' in The Tempest or King Lear railing against his daughter Goneril with the damning words, 'Thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed carbuncle in my corrupted blood', Shakespeare didn't hold back when it came to getting creative with his slights. Packed full of eloquent stings and poisonous putdowns, this is the perfect resource for anyone looking to scorn an enemy - without resorting to swearing! 'Away, you starvelling, you elf-skin, you dried neat's-tongue, bull's-pizzle, you stock-fish!' Henry IV Part I (Act 2, Scene 4). 'Away, you three-inch fool.' The Taming of the Shrew (Act 4, Scene 1). 'Go, prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, Thou lily-liver'd boy.' Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 3). 'The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes.' The Comedy of Errors (Act 5, Scene 4).

Daar is min mense wat ’n storie soos Jan Spies kan vertel. Die antie met die pienk rok en ander stories is ’n keur uit sy humoristiese vertellings in Pilatus tot molshoop, Poort deur die koue, Profeet met kondensmelk en Pille vir servette.

En hierdie nuwe keur word van Woensdag 17 Junie 2020 op weeksoggende om 10:45 op RSG voorgelees. Die akteur-skrywer Lochner de Kock skuif agter die mikrofoon in om hierdie “Spieserye” nuwe lewe te gee. RSG se dramahoof, Kobus Burger, is die regisseur.

Why did the banana go to the doctors? Because he wasn't peeling very well! Proving the age-old maxim that 'it's in the way that you tell them', Dads - for the best part of forever - have always been renowned for being truly god-awful joke tellers. Whether it's telling them at the wrong moment, misremembering the punchline or it just simply being one of those jokes that were terrible to begin with, Dads are an embarrassment to the whole family when it comes to trying to tell jokes. The VERY Embarrassing Book of Dad Jokes is full to the brim with jokes that only your dear old Dad would dare say - jokes that will make you groan, sigh ... and then probably make you groan again. Dads take great pleasure in these kinds of jokes and some of them are so rubbish they actually blossom into proper rib-ticklers - but don't tell your dad that, it'll only encourage him!

Khaya Dlanga has established himself as one of the most influential individuals in South African media, particularly social media, a platform he uses to promote discussion on topics that range from the frivolous to the profound. In to quote myself, Khaya recounts entertaining and moving stories about his roots and upbringing in rural Transkei, how he made his mark at school as well as his time spent studying advertising and as a stand-up comedian. He also shares his political views, how he overcame homelessness to become one of the most influential marketers in South Africa and he gives the reader a dose of the truly weird and wonderful that is routinely a part of his life.

Een van Afrikaans se uitsonderlike kenmerke is die skat van idiome en vaste uitdrukkings wat soos poësie op die tong van sprekers lê. Andertaliges is dikwels verstom oor die manier waarop vaste uitdrukkings en gesegdes Afrikaans verryk en kleurvol maak.

In hierdie boek bring Kobus Galloway, skepper van Idees Vol Vrees, 150 idiome byeen – elkeen geïllustreer met ’n grappige volblad-spotprent, en met ’n kort verklaring van elke idioom se betekenis. Verder is daar ’n lys met nóg idiome en verklarings agter in die boek. Afrikaanse lesers van alle ouderdomme sal daarvan hou, en skoliere in die besonder sal dit baie bruikbaar vind.

Dié boek sal help verseker dat idiome van vroeg reeds ’n tuiste in die mond van jong sprekers kry, en dat dié pragtige skat van Afrikaans behoue sal bly.

Waarom mans altyd reg is (en ander onnoselhede) bevat van die laaste (en skreeusnaaksste) rubrieke wat André le Roux vir Sarie geskryf het. Wat is dit met vrouens en alewig inkopies doen? En hoekom wil mans nooit dokter toe gaan nie? En vir wat moet ’n mansmens dan nou ’n huweliksherdenking onthou, of o wee, eintlik was dit haar verjaarsdag! Met dié jongste bundel sketse van André le Roux kry ’n mens opnuut lag vir die hemelsbreë verskille tussen mans en vroue. En waarom die liefde steeds blind is.