To mark the 50th anniversary of the South African Council for English Education, this collection brings together the work of writers who either edited English Alive or were originally published in English Alive. Now they are active writers - poets, playwrights, novelists, print journalists, radio journalists, TV scriptwriters. They have contributed from their work a variety of pieces - truly a celebration of writing - that range from travel writing in verse through eye-witness accounts and poems and diary-entries and movie reviews to biographical and historical investigation and writing for teens and for children. And each writer offers a short reflection 'On Writing'. Some of South Africa's foremost writers are joined here by new voices, and the collection is graced by a gift contribution from South Africa's first winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Nadine Gordimer.

From its establishment in 1990, Snailpress has published over 50 volumes of poetry - a list described by Patrick Cullinan as 'wonderfully heterodox'. To mark this achievement and spread this wealth, Robin Malan has put together a selection of the poetry.

A collection which offers the varied excitements of being in and of Africa. The poets come from different African countries, and young readers will find many of their own experiences caught with wit and warmth.

A collection of stories about and from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Mozambique since 1960, is a vibrant collection, chosen to reflect lived experience of these places in these times - surely the most exciting and most productive period in the history of Southern Africa and its literature. This collection was first published in 19 and has become a favourite of teachers and students. It has now been updated, and also contains teaching suggestions and new points for discussion.

Katie Makanya, whose voice once charmed Queen Victoria, died in Natal in 1955 at the age of 83. But not before she had related the remarkable story of her life to Margaret McCord, daughter of Dr James McCord, for whom Katie had worked for 35 years as interpreter, dispenser and loyal assistant. Now Margeret McCord has written down Katie's oral testimony as a biography that spans the late nineteenth century into the apartheid years. We read of Katie's travels to England, where as a member of the Jubilee Singers she was presented at court to Queen Victoria; her return to South Africa; her faith, her marriage and her children; and her work with Dr McCord at the Zulu hospital he founded in Durban.

An expanded edition of "Inscapes". Part One consists of standard poems that are still meaningful to senior students. Part Two reveals the variety of the modern world, its contrasts and its contradictions. To this is now added Part Three, a view of the poetry written in the 17 years since the anthology first appeared, especially that written by southern African poets.

New Beginnings (2nd edition): revised and now even better! Features include: six new stories for a total of 20 by top southern African writers; wide range of styles, including the satirical, the lyrical, and the humorous; short, punchy stories with pace and freshness to grab students' attention; introductory notes on stories and writers to develop an understanding of genre and context; an introduction showing clear links to the new curriculum, and explaining how the anthology fulfils the requirements for literature; and more activities to use in class or as homework practice.

New Outridings is a lively, entertaining and challenging selection of contemporary verse, much of it originating from southern Africa and reflecting the experiences of people in our changing society. Support material provides background and assistance to teachers and learners.

Lucky has been brought up in a small rural black community. But is he really black? The others tease him because of his light brown eyes and blond hair. He has vague notions of having been abducted from his white family, and there are remnants of Afrikaans words somewhere in his head. So Lucky sets out on a quest to discover who he is. When people find out about Lucky's dilemma, it touches a raw nerve in the national psyche, and the debate about identity and ethnic origin starts to swirl around the young man, confusing rather than clarifying, diffusing rather than focusing his search for himself. What is it to be African? What does a family mean to a growing child? Does it matter what language you speak or think in? What if you're not even sure of your name? Issues of identity and belonging crowd in on Lucky, who is thrown off balance by the publicity surrounding him, yet enjoys the attention and sudden 'celebrity' this brings. In the end, who is Lucky? And can Lucky cope with being Lucky?

Bo looked up. Above him was the huge expanse of the darkening African sky. Already you could see bright stars pinpricked out in it. He lightly bumped against Nathi's shoulder, and tilted his head up. 'Look, Nathi.' 'Where?' 'Phezulu.' Nathi looked up. 'Ezulwini,' he said. 'What's that?' 'The heavens.' He flicked a look across at Bo's face. 'Ndiza, nyoni.' 'And what's that mean?' Bo asked, his words scarcely audible as his neck arched back. 'Fly, bird, fly,' said Nathi with a smile. Bo, a young Swedish student, spends a year at school in Africa. As he learns about his fellow students, the community and the culture, he learns too that friendship can grow into love. But loving a Swazi student of his own sex brings its own complications.