In a series of tender, bite-sized poems on being a writer, loneliness, faith, patriarchy, climate change, grief, and more, Crystal Warren offers up an ode to the every day.

With Warren’s signature light touch, Predictive Text is sensitive, unaffected, a relief from the brash, unrelenting tumult of twenty-first century life, while tethered to deeper truths.

Here's a quick and quirky identification guide to animal dung or droppings.

Each animal group (carnivores, primates, antelope, rats and mice, reptiles, birds) is briefly introduced; but the main focus of this book is the photographs, mostly life-size. These images enable immediate identification of the animals responsible for the droppings. To confirm identity, summary tables give details of average width, length and typical contents of droppings (feathers, twigs, leaves, sand, etc.).

This should become a recommended reference for rangers and field guides in the region; and it will be of use to anyone with an interest in wildlife, and even to those who simply enjoy walking in the wild and observing the tracks and signs they encounter.

Originally published in 1994, A Field Guide to Tracks and Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife quickly became the standard reference to the subject in the region, reprinting many times. This new edition provides the most detailed coverage of tracks, droppings, bird pellets, nests and shelters and feeding signs, not only for mammals, but also for birds, reptiles, insects and other invertebrates. Greatly expanded, this extensive update now features: full colour throughout.

The book presents 50 of the most recognizable and geologically interesting sites around South Africa, including some of palaeontological or historical renown and some of mining interest. The diverse selection includes sites such as Chapman’s Peak, Howick Falls, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Mapungubwe, Tswaing Meteorite Crater and the Fraserburg Fossil Surface.

Each site is unpacked to reveal:

- key features

- geological heritage

- landscape and rock formations

- topics of local or historical interest

- things to see and do at the site and in the surrounding area.

Maps and GPS pointers make the sites easy to find, and some of the more complicated features are explained by means of simplified diagrams.

Nearly 1,000 colour images illustrate South Africa’s remarkable geology and bring the topic vividly to life, making the book suitable for armchair travel too.

Meet Romario Valentine, an 11-year-old eco-warrior from Durban, South Africa.

Through his tree planting, beach clean-ups, avian art and other conservation projects in Africa and other parts of the world, this young activist has become a dynamic campaigner for the future health of our planet. In Protect our Planet, Romario enthusiastically guides young nature lovers through key environmental topics – from recycling and reforestation to pollution solutions and climate change.

Topics covered in this book overlap with the Foundation Phase curriculum, and include:

• The relationship between people and the environment
• Renewable resources, such as solar power
• Forestation and why trees matter
• Types of pollution and the problem with plastic
• Reducing, reusing and recycling
• Climate change
• The importance of clean water
• Craft ideas, art activities and backyard projects

Includes step-by-step projects suitable for Foundation Phase learners, such as building a bug hotel, birdfeeder and water filter.

Coverage; Cape Town; West Coast; Cape Winelands; Breede River Valley; Overberg; Route 43; Boland; Hex River Valley; Swartland; Whale Route; Route 62. Street maps - 1 : 20 000: Stellenbosch; Franschhoek; Paarl; Wellington; Hermanus; Somerset West; Strand; Montagu; Robertson; Swellendam; Worcester; Ceres; Tulbagh; Cape town cbd ; Parks, reserves & nature areas; Hotels & caravan parks; Tourist-friendly text on top sites with; Historic info; Shading indicating height above sea level; Listings of regional activities; GPS co-ordinates; All the back roads and gravel roads you need; Colour photos of main sites; Comprehensive contact info; Main map scale : 1 : 325 000.

In this fully revised edition of A Guide to Dragonfl ies & Damselfl ies of South Africa, all164 species known to occur in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are described and illustrated, grouped according to family (six dragonfl y and six damselfl y families). The species entries feature scans of live insects (close-up and side-view images) and photographs of specimens in their natural environment and showing key behaviours. Detailed descriptions focus on size, identifying features and occurrence. An introductory chapter unpacks the life cycle, behaviour, biology and breeding of this fascinating group of insects. Presented in a classic field guide format, this revised edition now also features:

- Expanded annotations to all illustrations, highlighting diagnostic features to ensure accurate identifi cation

- New distribution maps

- Additional colour plates and photographs

Beautifully presented, informative and authoritative, this book will appeal to anyone with an interest in South Africa’s insect life, and to nature lovers in general.

In die begin was daar net duisternis, ’n atoom, ’n saad, ’n onderbewyssyn. Hieruit word gedigte geskep wat na die sin van hierdie lewe vra. ’n Lewe omring deur ’n gebrek aan liefde en deernis, bedreig deur armoede, onreg, korrupsie, hooploosheid, siekte wat genees en siekte wat tot die dood lei.

Cas Vos se eie unieke idiolek kom na vore in hierdie ryk geskakeerde bundel. Spanning, metafore, ironieë, paradokse, en die kroon van alles, die liefde, wat die oerchaos oorwin, weef die bundel tot ’n hegte eenheid.

This rich volume is dedicated to the astounding South African writer and literary critic Lewis Nkosi (1936–2010).

In this book, Nkosi’s celebrated one-act play “The Black Psychiatrist” is published together with its unpublished sequel “Flying Home,” a play on the satirically fictionalized inauguration of Mandela as South African president. Critical appraisals, tributes and recollections by scholars and friends reflect on the beat of his writing and life.

An ideal volume for those encountering Lewis Nkosi for the first time as well as for those already devoted to his work. Edited by Astrid Starck, a literary scholar, and Dag Henrichsen, a historian.

Set along the cliffs between mountain and sea, Hermanus is one of the most popular holiday and travel destinations in South Africa. Initially it was the abundance of fish in Walker Bay, along which the village rapidly grew, that attracted holidaymakers. Today, the stars of the bay are undoubtedly the Southern Right Whales that migrate from Antarctica to mate and calve here during the winter months.

But it is not only the wonders of the sea that draw thousands of visitors to this picturesque village and surrounds year after year. Mountains, fynbos, culture, arts, crafts, country markets, adventure sports, scenic walks, golf courses, nature reserves, shark-cage diving, historical landmarks, and the vineyards and world-class wines of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley are richly described and illustrated in this lavish volume. With chapters covering all aspects of the town’s diversity, the reader will learn more about all that is so generously on offer here, and also catch a rare glimpse of the heart that drives the town: the people and communities that have shaped this favoured destination.

A self-published edition of Hermanus appeared in 2010. Now republished as a new title the book features entirely rewritten text and fresh photographs throughout, many commissioned especially for this edition.

Outspoken columnist Gareth van Onselen boldly tackles South Africa’s holy cows, those touchy subjects we hesitate to mention by name for fear of offence or being misunderstood.

Incisive and witty, this book exposes the strange contradictions and ambiguities at the heart of South African society. Van Onselen identifies the many ways in which cultural practice or belief fly in the face of our much vaunted constitution. For instance, can lobola be reconciled with equal rights? And why are initiation rites, practiced not only by cultural groups, but also in university residences and by the Springbok rugby team, still accepted when they often lead to death or injury?

He mocks political correctness, dissects the booming business of death, superstition and witchcraft, and bemoans the growing influence of religion in politics.

Fiercely liberal and committed to constitutional values, Van Onselen will make you question accepted practices and see the absurdity of what passes for just another day in South Africa.

Parlement Van Uile is die debuutbundel van die wenner van die Ingrid Jonker A’La Poétique-kompetisie van 2019. Díé bundel delf diep in rou emosies, menswees en skyn ’n lig op eksistensiële vrae oor ons verhouding tot mekaar en teenoor die liefde.

Met ’n uiters moderne benadering tot poësie in sy geheel, word gedigte in die bundel in ’n oorspronklike en teatrale wyse deurgegee en daag lesers uit om sélf die betrokke emosies in die verse tot persoonlike ervarings te verbind.

Die digter daag die grense van Afrikaanse poësie uit met die bundel, ignoreer reëls en kloof sy eie unieke plek in die spektrum oop.

As Africa's oldest orchestra, and certainly its most versatile, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is a proud part of the fabric of the Mother City. Founded in 1914 as a municipally funded ensemble, the orchestra was privatised in 1986 and later merged with the former Capab orchestra, achieving independence in 2000.

A Century Of Symphony tells the story of Cape Town’s orchestras over the past 100 years. Bringing together reminiscences, anecdotes and heartfelt stories by players, conductors and audience members, images of the orchestra both past and present, and information gathered from city, newspaper and university archives, A Century Of Symphony offers a timeless perspective on the place of orchestral music in the life of the city.

The challenges of running an orchestra in the 21st century are formidable, but the orchestra’s mission to deliver first-class music played by first-class musicians in a sustainable way has never been more apparent. Outreach and education efforts in disadvantaged communities point the way to the future. This is a story not only worth telling, but also worth preserving, for Cape Town’s orchestras have been the cultural jewel of the city for 100 years.

(Includes a shrinkwrapped CD of music played by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra)

In this book you will see over 50 photos of memorable moments of the sporting Madiba, as well as sport stars paying tribute to Madiba after his death.

Featured sports stars include: Tiger Woods, David Beckham, John Smit, Gary Player, Graeme Smith, Lucas Radebe, Bryan Habana, Francois Pienaar, Ernie Els, Sir Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Baby Jake Matala, Lennox Lewis, Muhammad Ali and many more.

Africa is home to more than the Cradle of Humankind. It was the core of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea, and comprises some of the oldest and most extraordinary geology on planet Earth.

This detailed and colourful book features 44 of the continent's most spectacular and interesting 'geosites', from Table Mountain in the south to the eroded necks and plugs of the Hoggar region in Algeria; and from the volcanic islands of the Atlantic Ocean to the continental fragments off the African east coast. Each site is authored by a geologist (or specialist in a related field) with in-depth knowledge about the particular feature or landform: how it formed and developed, its current geological status, ecological impact, and its archaeological and cultural interest.

Supported with many photographs, maps, satellite images and explanatory illustrations, the text is accessible to geologists and lay enthusiasts alike, unpacking the hows and whys of Africa's most intriguing landforms, sites and geological features.

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot die Paddas van Suider-Afrika is ’n interessante gids tot die paddas van die streek. Volkleurfoto’s, verspreidingskaarte en verstaanbare teks sal nuwelinge en aspirantnatuurkenners help om die algemeenste paddaspesies in Suider-Afrika uit te ken, te ontdek waar hulle voorkom en te leer van hul unieke gedrag en buitengewone eienskappe.

This edition of Newman's birds of Southern Africa at once updates a classic and pays tribute to one of the region's birding authors, the late Kenneth Newman.

With the support of Faansie Peacock, the author's daughter, Vanessa Newman, has thoroughly revised, updated and expanded this new edition to reflect the latest research, both in terms of text and illustrations. Covering all the birds recorded from the Antarctic to the Zambezi River, its range includes the birds from the southern seas as well as those of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique.

The format of Newman's birds has been preserved and subtly modernized. Colour coding of major bird groups and the characteristically bold cross-referencing between text and images have been retained. As always, large, accurate paintings of each species reflect the bird as it is seen in the field, and are now labeled with diagnostic features, in line with top guides round the world.

A revised introductory section takes readers step-by-step through how to use this latest edition of Newman's Birds of Southern Africa in the field.

This Is South Africa, now updated in a new edition, takes the reader on a journey of discovery through this spectacular land. It showcases the country’s breathtaking natural splendours and incomporable array of flora and fauna, its pulsating cities, the warmth of its people and the intriguing mix of its many cultures.

This superb book features more than 300 vivid new photographs, supported by a detailed introduction and informative captions.

The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated against the Botswana border, just three hours' drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, is one of South Africa's prime safari destinations and its fifth biggest game reserve. Madikwe is a Big Five game reserve covering some 75,000 hectares. The rich diversity of vegetation ensures a wide range of game, and the topography offers ideal game viewing opportunities for wilderness safaris. Madikwe is also one of the few places where you can see the Brown Hyena and the Aardwolf, making it extra special.

The perfect companion to any foray into the savannah, Madikwe Game Drive includes not only beautiful photographs of a wide array of birds, mammals and reptiles, but informative text which is both extremely compact and highly comprehensive.

All statistics that could conceivably help a viewer to identify, catalogue and learn about each animal are provided in concise and clear format. The Latin and colloquial names for each animal are included, along with the Afrikaans, French, German and Zulu names. The listings are given ratings for rarity of sightings, and each animal a tick box for viewers to mark upon sighting.

Anneli Drummond-Hay's autobiography is a fascinating insight into the making of an equestrian champion through her struggle for survival.

It is a heart-warming story of a war baby with aristocratic connections, who grew up with very little money and even less love. She never went to school, she had no friends growing up, but she did have a gift with the horses in which she sought solace.

The big love story of her life was one particularly special horse, Merely-AMonarch. He was invincible in eventing, but as female eventers were not permitted to compete in the Olympics in that era, Anneli switched to show jumping. She came so close to going to three Olympics but was foiled at the last moment each time, despite winning just about everything else in the sport.

Besides her wonderful horses, Anneli gives an amazing account of the people she met - from Harvey Smith to the Queen, in front of whom she was asked to lend her horse for the British Olympic effort, and refused; to her asking a favour, in person, of Colonel Gaddafi.

The jet-set life of an elite show jumper may be glamorous but there are more lows than highs, whether it's her top ride being stolen, a potential plane disaster above the Alps, or the sudden death of a star horse.

As The Princess Royal so rightly says in the foreword to this book: 'Thank goodness Anneli decided to write her story.'

Leli ibhukwana elizokusiza uthole izimpendulo zemibuzo abaningi abahlezi bezibuza yona nokuthi uma bengazitholi izimpendulo zakhona bese bebamanqika ekuqhubekeni nohambo lwabo lokubhala. Izincwadi ezimbili ezinezimpendulo kabanzi ozozidinga yilezi:

1.Shicilela Kalula!
2. Uyibhala kanjani incwadi?

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: This booklet will help you find answers to questions many people always ask themselves which often stagger them to continue writing. Two recommended books are necessary for your understanding namely:

1. Shicilela Kalula!
2. Uyibhala kanjani incwadi?

Colouring-in is a favourite children’s pastime, and here’s a new addition to Struik Nature’s ‘Read, colour and keep’ series that will give hours of fun, while also expanding children’s knowledge of the natural world.

Why is Bulbine such a useful plant? Which flowers can we eat, and which are poisonous? What is South Africa’s national flower? Why do some flowers give off a rotten smell? Who pollinates our beautiful flowers?

Children will learn interesting facts while enjoying hours of fun colouring in this selection of our most striking flowers. They can consult the colour guide in the middle of the book when choosing which shade of crayon or paint to use for the more than 40 outlined images – or make up their own fantastically-hued flowers!

What does the lawn want? To be watered, fertilised, mowed, admired, fretted over, ignored? This unusual question serves as a starting point for Civilising Grass: The Art of the Lawn on the South African Highveld, an unexpected and often disconcerting critique of one of the most common and familiar landscapes in South Africa. The lawn, Jonathan Cane argues, is not quite as innocent as we might think. Besides the fact that lawns suck up scarce water, consume chemicals, displace indigenous plants and reduce biodiversity, they are also part of a colonial lineage of dispossession and violence. They reduce the political problem of land to the aesthetic question of landscape, thereby obscuring issues of ownership, redress, belonging and labour. The question then becomes: Who takes care of whose lawn, in what clothes, under what conditions and for what reward?

Civilising Grass offers a detailed reading of artistic, literary and architectural lawns between 1886 and 2017. The eclectic archive includes plans, poems, maps, gardening blogs, adverts, ethnographies and ephemera, as well as literature by Koos Prinsloo, Marlene van Niekerk and Ivan Vladislavic. In addition, the book includes colour reproductions of lawn artworks by David Goldblatt, Lungiswa Gqunta, Pieter Hugo, Anton Kannemeyer, Sabelo Mlangeni, Moses Tladi and Kemang Wa Lehulere.

This book shows that even if the enchantment of a green, flat and soft lawn is almost universal, there are also unexpected moments when alternatives present themselves, occasions when people reject the politeness of the lawn, and situations in which we might glimpse a possible time after the lawn. Drawing on theory and conceptual tools from interdisciplinary fields such as ecocriticism, queer theory, art history and postcolonial studies, Civilising Grass offers the first sustained investigation of the lawn in Africa and contributes to the growing conversation about the complex relationships between humans and non-humans on the continent.

“I had endured enough spaghetti arms and failed take-offs to last a lifetime. I wanted to, once again, move forward with my surfing. It took a simple idea to make that a reality”

Death of a Weekend Warrior is the story of Bernard’s surfing journey. It describes the highs, lows, people, places, and waves he has experienced over the past thirty years. For Bernard, a weekend warrior represents a plateauing of performance, a stagnation. The death of a weekend warrior represents his progression and development.

In this book, Katz unpacks his own insecurities and reflects on the many facets that make up the world of the average weekend surfer. His personal journey is intertwined with descriptions of famous surf spots and explanations of some of the nuances of surfing, localism, surfboard design, the art of tube riding, and more.