PAGECAST

PAGECAST
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Pagecast is South Africa's biggest book podcast that offers insider interviews with recently published authors, delving into the creative processes and stories behind their latest works. As the leading platform for book lovers, Pagecast brings you the story behind the story, exploring the thoughts, ideas, and emotions that shape the country's most compelling literature.

  1. 1d ago

    When Saying No to God Is an Act of Faith by Siya Khumalo (with Siphokazi Jonas)

    “When faith becomes aligned with power structures, it transforms from a prophetic force into a tool for social control.” Bestselling author and poet Siphokazi Jonas sits down with Siya Khumalo for a searching, generous conversation on his new book When Saying No to God Is an Act of Faith. Together they unpack his critique of institutional Christianity, the religious trauma that pulled him deeper into the Bible rather than away from it, and why discerning when to say “no” to religion is itself an act of faithfulness. They explore how pulpits around the world constantly add to and subtract from scripture to prop up power, how DARVO plays out in religious language, and what it means to interpret scripture against the grain in a world where any disruption to the status quo is treated as heresy. Siya Khumalo’s new book is When Saying No to God Is an Act of Faith. It presents a critique of institutional Christianity, arguing that when faith becomes aligned with power structures, it transforms from a prophetic force into a tool for social control, and challenges readers to discern when saying “no” to religion becomes an act of faithfulness to God. Siya Khumalo writes about religion, politics, sex and technology. His first book, You Have to Be Gay to Know God, was long-listed for the Alan Paton Prize, shortlisted for the UJ Book Prize, and awarded the Desmond Tutu-Gerrit Brand Prize. He is also the author of Queering Revelation. Siphokazi Jonas is a bestselling author, poet, writer, performer and producer. Her latest book is Weeping Becomes A River (audiobook out now).

    When Saying No to God Is an Act of Faith by Siya Khumalo (with Siphokazi Jonas)

  2. Oct 26

    How to Stop Being an Naai by Mia Arderne (with Yaaseen Barnes)

    “How do you stop being a naai? Die. That’s how you stop.” Comedian Yaaseen Barnes sits down with author Mia Arderne for a lively, laugh-out-loud conversation on her new novel How to Stop Being an Naai — a satirical take on the self-help genre and one of the sharpest, funniest reads of the year. Together they unpack the book’s origins as a sincere personal guide, the midlife crisis that gave birth to protagonist Lucian, the research rabbit holes (including TRC documents) that pulled the story into darker places than she intended, and the one question that quietly sits at the heart of it all: can you really stop being a naai, or is it the cost of surviving under capitalism? Mia Arderne’s new book is How to Stop Being an Naai. A satirical take on the self-help genre, it follows protagonist Lucian — an aging DJ having a full-blown midlife crash-out — as he’s put through the steps of becoming a better person. Mia Arderne is a South African author. Her debut novel Mermaid Fillet introduced readers to a world of mermaid-tail smuggling on the black market. Yaaseen Barnes is a celebrated South African comedian known for his sharp wit and dynamic performances. Profanity warning: this episode contains strong language.

    How to Stop Being an Naai by Mia Arderne (with Yaaseen Barnes)

  3. Oct 19

    Worst Week Ever by Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove

    “Translated into 33 languages, available in over 50 countries.” Children’s book illustrator and reviewer Mia van der Merwe sits down with the Sydney-based husband-and-wife team behind one of the biggest middle-grade phenomena in the world. Author Eva Amores and illustrator Matt Cosgrove join Pagecast live from their South African school tour to talk about the Worst Week Ever series — seven books, one for each day of the week, each one worse than the last for hapless main character Justin Chase. They unpack the real-life inspirations (including the eldest son who pitched the idea), the lockdown origins of Monday, the “focus group” of their own kids, and why embarrassment is the most universal humour of all. Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove’s Worst Week Ever series is a hilarious black-and-white illustrated middle-grade series for readers aged 8+. Across seven books — one for every day of the week — poor Justin Chase has the WORST week ever, featuring vampires, giant toilets on wheels, secret treasures, mistaken identities and even getting trapped underground. Eva Amores is the author of the global best-selling Worst Week Ever series. Matt Cosgrove is the illustrator and her creative (and life) partner. Mia van der Merwe is a children’s book illustrator, reviewer, and all-round lover of books.

    Worst Week Ever by Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove

  4. Oct 5

    There's Something I Must Tell You by Sue Williamson (with Penny Siopis)

    "The sweep of it, seeing all those years, is quite extraordinary for an artist." Internationally renowned South African artist Penny Siopis sits down with Sue Williamson for a wide-ranging conversation on her new book There's Something I Must Tell You, published to accompany her landmark retrospective at the Iziko South African National Gallery. The exhibition filled eight rooms and the atrium, and traced nearly fifty years of practice. Together they walk through what it means to see a lifetime of work hung together, from the earliest district-six work of the early 1980s through the apartheid years, the TRC-era Truth Games, reflections on colonialism, and intergenerational conversations between the mothers of the Mandela generation and their granddaughters. Sue Williamson's new book is There's Something I Must Tell You, a beautifully illustrated catalogue of her 2025 retrospective at the Iziko South African National Gallery, featuring essays by Sean O'Toole, Zoé Whitley and Sixolise Sigolo. Sue Williamson is one of South Africa's most esteemed artists, internationally renowned for her work. She lives and works in Cape Town. Her 1989 book Resistance Art in South Africa was the first to document the role of South African artists in the struggle against apartheid. Penny Siopis is a South African artist based in Cape Town and one of the country's most important contemporary voices.

    There's Something I Must Tell You by Sue Williamson (with Penny Siopis)

  5. Sep 23

    Kitsie: Memoir of a Bomb-Squad Bok by Steven Kitshoff (with Nick Mallett)

    "There was a job to be done." Legendary Springbok coach Nick Mallett sits down with former Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff for a rich, generous conversation on his new memoir Kitsie: Memoir of a Bomb-Squad Bok. They unpack the origins of the Bomb Squad — the name that came from a Wilder–Tyson press conference, the alignment inside the squad that made it work, and the selfless conversations that decided who would start and who would finish. Kitshoff reflects on being told he'd never play for the Boks, the call from Allister Coetzee that turned him and Amy around on a French motorway, and the culture of role clarity that turned three world-class props into an unstoppable unit alongside Malcolm Marx and Vincent Koch. Steven Kitshoff's new book is Kitsie: Memoir of a Bomb-Squad Bok, written with best-selling author Michael Vlismas. The memoir takes readers behind one of rugby's greatest careers — from schoolboy prodigy to two-time Rugby World Cup champion — and features personal recollections from Rassie Erasmus, Tendai "The Beast" Mtawarira and others. Steven Kitshoff is a former Springbok prop and two-time Rugby World Cup winner, admired both on and off the field for his discipline, humility and unwavering commitment to his team. Nick Mallett is a former Springbok head coach, rugby analyst and one of the most respected voices in the South African game.

    Kitsie: Memoir of a Bomb-Squad Bok by Steven Kitshoff (with Nick Mallett)

  6. Sep 14

    The South African Cookbook by Nokx Majozi (with Zola Nene)

    "An opportunity to hold and be held." This one is a joy from start to finish. Chef, food stylist and best-selling cookbook author Zola Nene sits down with Chef Nokx Majozi for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like two sisters at the kitchen table. Together they unpack Nokx's beautiful debut, The South African Cookbook, and why it exists: the years of travelling the world and finding no book on South African food, the gap she quietly decided to fill, and the immense pride of her mother inviting the neighbours over to hold the book. They talk about the influences of both parents in her kitchen, the shouting culture Nokx refuses to carry forward, and what it means to lead a team with kindness rather than fear. Nokx Majozi's new book is The South African Cookbook, out now in-store and online across South Africa, the UK and EU. Nokx Majozi is Chef-in-Residence at Fallow restaurant in London and a proud ambassador for South African cuisine on the global stage. Zola Nene is a chef, food stylist, TV personality, and best-selling cookbook author. Her latest book is Simply More Zola.

    The South African Cookbook by Nokx Majozi (with Zola Nene)

  7. Sep 6

    Pagecast at OBF 2026: Athi-Patra Ruga and Lethogonolo Mokogroane in conversation

    For the final episode of Pagecast at the 2026 Open Book Festival, Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane is joined by Athi-Patra Ruga. Athi-Patra Ruga is a South African multidisciplinary artist whose work explores archives, spirituality, colonial histories and speculative world-building across performance, film, tapestry, sculpture and installation. He is also the co-founder of Victory of the Word (VOW), a non-profit arts and research organisation focused on reimagining Southern African knowledge systems. Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane is a practising advocate and also a part-time in-counsel at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. They were named one of the Top 200 Young South Africans in 2018. In 2022, they formed part of the judging panel for the AKO Caine Prize for African Writing. #AthiPartaRuga #VictoryoftheWord #OpenBookFestival

    Pagecast at OBF 2026: Athi-Patra Ruga and Lethogonolo Mokogroane in conversation

  8. Sep 6

    Pagecast at OBF 2026: Natalie Sifuma and Alma-Nalisha Cele in conversation

    Natalie Sifuma is a Kenyan writer, researcher, and consultant currently based in Cape Town. She is the founder of Sisters in Climate — a Pan-African climate initiative — and is completing an MPhil in Inclusive Innovation at UCT’s Graduate School of Business, with a focus on social impact, climate, and gender across Africa. She is also a 2026 BOOKED Trips Fellow, weaving together literary culture and travel as a form of place-based storytelling. Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane is a practising advocate and also a part-time in-counsel at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. They were named one of the top 200 Young South Africans in 2018. In 2022, they formed part of the judging panel for the Ako Caine Prize for African Writing. #Pagecast #NatalieSifuma #ClimateActivism #OpenBookFestival

    Pagecast at OBF 2026: Natalie Sifuma and Alma-Nalisha Cele in conversation
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Pagecast is South Africa's biggest book podcast that offers insider interviews with recently published authors, delving into the creative processes and stories behind their latest works. As the leading platform for book lovers, Pagecast brings you the story behind the story, exploring the thoughts, ideas, and emotions that shape the country's most compelling literature.

Information

  • Creator
    PAGECAST
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © PAGECAST
  • Show Website
    PAGECAST

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